Black Like That: Our Lives As Living Praxis

Presented by Temple Contemporary, Black Like That: Our Lives As Living Praxis aims to encapsulate the dynamic and living nature of Black culture as an active expression of archival practice. Recognizing that Black history and contemporary Black life are inherently intertwined, this project highlights how the past continues to shape our present experiences. Each artist in this exhibition selected a Philadelphia neighborhood with significance to their life and work. Their activities in these Philadelphia neighborhoods are the culmination of nearly two years of research, utilizing resources such as Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University Libraries, the Black Like That community advisory committee and respective community members themselves. 

The activities taking place throughout the run of Black Like That engage with the community from within and without. In the early stages of research, community ambassadors provided tours and access to their knowledge and lived experiences in their neighborhoods. These tours and conversations were the springboard for the events taking place in the fall that include convening, commemorating, and communally celebrating the legacies of Black Philadelphia. By entering the historical, political and embodied experience of Philadelphia, each artist has provided an outlook on a past, present and future as a continuation of Black life. 

For more information, please visit BlackLikeThat.org