Black Future Newsstand Returns to Houston: Showcasing the Result of MMM's Focus on Industry Connections
- tmanon1
- 10 minutes ago
- 4 min read
MMM's involvement included event curation and planning, invitations and promotion. Let's take a look at how the fifth stop demonstrates the Media Reparations growing movement and our firm's ability to make major connections with those across the industry.
By: Christelle Philemon, MMM PR Team
The Black Future Newsstand returned to a city with one of the largest Black populations in the country to dismantle systems and shift narratives this past fall. This stop in Houston, Texas, stands out as the most memorable yet. With the celebration of their fifth version of the Newsstand, Media 2070 remains committed to its core mission of building Black narrative power by strengthening Black communities' ability to control and distribute their own stories.
This mission aligns deeply with Manon Media's, which platforms important stories, brands and organizations transforming industries and communities. With Media 2070's focus on transforming the media world and pushing for reparative practices, we knew this BFN installment would be key to helping people envision this world– not just hear about it.
Media 2070’s Mission & Vision
Each Newsstand is more than just visibility; it's about fulfilling Media 2070’s long-term commitment to reparative journalism, narrative justice, and the reclaiming of stories of Black communities. That includes building key bridges with others who feel the same, introducing the general public to this novel idea and creating a space for those who care about these issues to engage fully and authentically.
The BFN offers residents of these communities the opportunity to engage with questions about the structures behind media systems and to explore how reimagined information ecosystems can encourage, empower, and sustain communities, while also engaging with Media 2070 team and creatives to understand their vision.
In a media landscape historically shaped by harm, disinformation, and mistreatment, coming together in these communities offers hope for care, repair, and liberation, and Media 2070’s work is rooted in the fact that Black storytellers must be able to thrive.
Key Voices & Community Partnerships
One of the most transformative parts of this stop wasn't just press and social media outreach but the intentional gathering of influential voices and cultural leaders, people whose presence amplifies the vision of Media 2070 and helps bridge movement, media, and community.
In Houston, Media 2070 welcomed Phil Lewis, president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists, and Lena Pringle, an award-winning journalist with years of experience amplifying underrepresented voices. Their engagement brought visibility and reaffirmed how media reparations must include trusted voices shaping narratives across industries.
Beyond Houston, Media 2070’s events continued to highlight the importance of art and Black cultural expression. In Los Angeles, Georgia Anne Muldrow, an American soul and hip-hop singer, producer, and songwriter, joined to showcase the importance of art in shaping narratives. Earlier this year, Media 2070 also stood alongside respected voices, including author, reporter, and White House Correspondent for Black Press USA, April D. Ryan, at major conferences, further demonstrating how Media 2070 bridges journalism, activism, culture, and infrastructure.
Each guest expands Media 2070’s reach, strengthens credibility, and adds momentum to the movement to reclaim narrative space.
What Unfolded: Event Recap & Highlights
At the Houston stop, the Newsstand became more than an installation; it became a space where people connected, shared stories, and attendees engaged deeply with the exhibits.
Here’s what unfolded throughout the week:
On the opening week of the 5th Black Future Newsstand in Houston, Media 2070 began at Afrotech, imagining what an Afrofuturist vision for technology.
The week continued with a preview reception at Kindred Stories
Concluded with a pop-up exhibition at Sanman Studios.
A partnership with the local reparative-journalism powerhouse PECAN Project produced a unique exhibit that centers on reproductive justice, showcasing how media is best transformed by the consumers of the media – the people impacted most. The exhibit engaged community members with questions of health, justice, and the future of news, while exploring how information infrastructures can nurture and heal communities.
Bringing together cultural leaders, community members, and thought leaders is imperative to building power, visibility, and a sustainable framework.
On November 6, The Reading Room, a Houston-based "independent reference library for Black art and culture," and Media 2070 held an art teach-in. This teach-in highlighted the various ways information, narrative, and knowledge move through media by focusing on the visual tactics of Black women artists whose work addresses problems of rematriation, land stewardship, and memory.
Media 2070 then partnered with Big Body Ryders, Pineywood Trailriding Association, and Ice House Radio to demonstrate how rural East Texans preserve storytelling, land, and wisdom through traditions such as trail rides and juke joints.
Finally, Media 2070 stopped at Neo-Sowl, hosted by Free Black Womxn, embracing the transformative power of music and spoken word.
Impact & Vision of BFN: Why Building with Others Matters
Bringing together cultural leaders, community members, and thought leaders is imperative to building power, visibility, and a sustainable framework– not just for Media 2070 but for major movements and industry leaders across the nation. From introducing clients to mentors or major voices across to build key relationships, this approach is unique to our firm and expands reach, grows networks, and keeps the mission and movement alive. This installation isn't just about visiting one city; this is about building a strong foundation, and each voice that speaks with influence strengthens the capacity to make a greater future in media.
Interested in working with our team? Book a discovery call below: