The Transformative Arts Fund Project explores Black maternal health through immersive art experiences, open to all community members
Friday, March 21, 2025 — Cleveland — The City of Cleveland and Cleveland City Council announce that All Our Babies: Birthing in the AfroFuture will launch their initiative with a public open house at Cleveland Clinic’s Langston Hughes Community Health & Education Center on Saturday, March 29. The open house will kick off their public arts series – titled Yesterday, We Dreamed of Tomorrow – that will take place over the next several months. Additionally, All Our Babies has put out a call for artists to join their exciting new project that explores the intersection of Afrofuturism and Black maternal health.
All Our Babies is one of seven Transformative Arts Fund projects the City awarded in July 2024. Their project is a cultural event series focused on empowering, uplifting, and supporting Black families by promoting health equity and community well-being.
Call for Artists & Community Participation
All Our Babies is seeking submissions from artists who want to participate in a project aimed at bringing visibility and creative expression to the narratives surrounding Black womanhood, motherhood, and wellness through the lens of Afrofuturism – a genre that envisions a future shaped by Black cultural experiences, histories, and innovations. The project team is looking for a variety of artists that include visual (i.e. paintings, illustrations, digital art, mixed media, photography, sculpture, crafts, etc.), performances, documentaries, writings, and others. Submissions can be individual or collaborative regardless of experience level, but submitters must reside and create in Cleveland. Those who are interested must submit work samples and contact information. The deadline for submission is April 1 and can be completed on the project’s website.
All Our Babies is also seeking Black mothers to participate in two components of an Afrofuturistic Mama Lookbook – a social media interactive and a photoshoot that will take place during the Summer. The Lookbook will celebrate the strength, beauty, and vision of Black motherhood. The project team wants to showcase how Black mothers are shaping the future through their stories, style, and grace. Those who love expressing themselves through fashion, culture, and imagination are encouraged to apply. Applications for the Summer Photoshoot are due by Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day). Applications for the visual social media story will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the project.
Yesterday, We Dreamed of Tomorrow – Public Art Series
This six-part series of interactive events will delve into Black maternal health through the lens of Afrofuturism – a cultural movement that blends African heritage with elements of artificial intelligence, fantasy, and science fiction to create visionary works of art, dance, and storytelling.
Throughout the series, attendees will be invited to explore and engage in hands-on community art activities, live performances, children’s programming, storytelling stations, healing circles, and more. The series of activations will also include free food, giveaways, a live DJ, arts-infused birth sessions, a community quilt and other art making opportunities. The first five events will take place at Cleveland Clinic’s Langston Hughes Community Health & Education Center on the following Saturdays – March 29 (Open House), April 26, May 24, June 28, and July 26. The series will culminate in September with a block party and the unveiling of a permanent wellness space to support ongoing community health initiatives.
The events are all free and everyone is welcome to attend – families, friends, allies, and anyone who is interested in Black maternal health and community empowerment. All events are free but community members are encouraged to RSVP. Registration is open for the first two events on the project’s event page.
Open House & Volume 1 Event Details
The Open House & Yesterday, We Dreamed of Tomorrow Vol. 1 event is serving as the series launch and will feature various speakers, artists, educational resources, and more.
WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2025, from noon to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cleveland Clinic Langston Hughes Community Health & Education Center – 2390 E. 79th St., Cleveland, OH 44104 (map)
ADMISSION: Free and open to all, including families and children. Register online.
SCHEDULE:
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM / Open House: Tour the space and learn more about the All Our Babies initiative.
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM / Vol. 1 Program:
- Meet-and-Greets: Connect with local birth workers, healthcare professionals, and artists.
- Interactive Workshops: Participate in wellness, storytelling, and art-based sessions designed to inspire and heal.
- Music and Food: Enjoy entertainment and refreshments for the whole family.
- Sneak Peek: Get a preview of the upcoming activations leading to the culminating event.
To learn more about the All Our Babies project, visit their website and follow them on Instagram @all.our_babies and on Facebook @All Our Babies: Birthing in the AfroFuture.
