Dr. Isiah Lavender III shares how he was introduced into science fiction, otherworldly phenomena, and Afrofuturism works during childhood. He talks about how he was an avid reader and utilized fiction for meaning making as he navigated racism. Dr. Lavender identifies Afrofuturism as related to AfroPessimism, utopia, and as a conduit to examine other projected worlds. He spotlights other genres like Indigenous Futurism and Latinx Futurism and links these genres back to Afrofuturism. Dr. Lavender discusses how Static Shock, Martian Chronicles, and the hip hop group the Clipping were influential in expanding his perception of Black culture and believes there are missing Black female authors who created Afrofuturism works between Zora Neale Hurston and Octavia Butler's legacy and would like to research those "missing links." Dr. Lavender is interviewed by University of Florida doctoral student Kimberly Williams.
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