By Rafiq Taylor (USC Annenberg)
A groundbreaking new exhibit has debuted at Wallis Annenberg Hall, offering an immersive exploration of Black media activism over the past two centuries. The Second Draft Project Exhibit officially launched on February 11, 2025, during Charlotta Bass Day, an annual event honoring the pioneering Black journalist and activist.
The exhibit brings to life the award-winning book Bearing Witness While Black: African Americans, Smartphones, and the New Protest Journalism by founding director Dr. Allissa Richardson. Like the book, the installation examines how African Americans have used the media technologies of their time to document and challenge injustice. It traces this history from the Abolitionist Movement—told through slave narratives—to the present-day Third Reconstruction, a story shaped by smartphones and AI.
Dr. Richardson emphasized the significance of using artificial intelligence as the next frontier of Black witnessing in this exhibit, by deploying USC’s pioneering Interactive Interviews. She explained “AI allows us to preserve and share the stories of our past while ensuring that future generations can interact with and learn from these voices in new, meaningful ways.”
Amplifying voices through innovation and history
Richardson partnered once again with the USC Digital Repository to grow her pathbreaking, Black American Interactive Interviews anthology. This marks the third collaboration between the Charlotta Bass Lab and the Digital Repository, following the release of Lora King’sinstallation in 2023 and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz’s in 2024.
King, the middle daughter of Rodney King, and Shabazz, the middle daughter of Malcolm X, both used their Interactive Interviews to reflect on the devastating impact of police brutality on their fathers. Their testimonies complete a collection focused on police violence, which this year features Philonise Floyd and Attorney Lee Merritt.
Floyd, the younger brother of George Floyd, shares his perspective, while Merritt—who served as the Floyd family’s advocate—also speaks about his work as an attorney for the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Atatiana Jefferson, and many others.
“This exhibit is about truth, power, and legacy,” Floyd said. “Black media has always been at the forefront of our struggles and our triumphs. It’s incredible to see that history honored in such an interactive way.”
Commemorating tragedy to inspire triumph
The launch of this year’s Second Draft Project exhibit carried profound significance, coinciding with the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder—an event that reignited global conversations on racial justice and police accountability. Mr. Floyd and Atty. Merritt were present to unveil the exhibit. Their participation underscored the ongoing urgency of media activism in confronting racial injustice and preserving the legacies of those who have fought for civil rights.
Dr. Richardson said prior to the event: “We stand on the shoulders of those who used their voices, their pens, and their platforms to demand change. This [installation] timeline shows us how far we’ve come—and how much further we must go.”
A space to contemplate change
The exhibit’s design, crafted by the Black woman-led firm, Amava’s Bazaar, reflects a commitment to authenticity, storytelling, and innovation. The company is known for its work in creating culturally resonant experiences, and has woven together elements of history, technology, and artistry to create a space that is as informative as it is visually compelling.
“I took on producing the Second Draft Project exhibit with Dr. Richardson and the USC Bass Lab to do my part in helping to preserve the stories of those closest to some of the most influential figures in social change,” said Aysia Rowe, the owner of Amava’s Bazaar. She added: “This work is deeply meaningful.”
Dr. Richardson shared her hopes for the exhibit: “I want visitors to walk away with a deep understanding of how Black media activism has been a vital force for justice throughout history. This exhibit is about honoring the voices that have shaped our collective struggle and inspiring a new generation to use their platforms for social progress.”