Arkane Studios’ Post

Malaika Collective is on fire this year, igniting a movement that's centered on elevating Black creatives and creators across the diaspora. ✊🏾 The overwhelming success of our event last Juneteenth and our sold-out workshop in January was just a warm-up. And it's clear from our 100% ticket sell out rates - our community is looking for more meaningful connections, more empowering workshops, more platforms and more third spaces where our voices can be heard and celebrated. The Malaika Co. team (myself, along with these incredibly talented Black women Ayala M., Jade A. Williams, Rochelle Brock) are gearing up for a series of community-focused events and initiatives that promise to knit us closer and broadcast our stories louder than ever before. But to transform these plans from dreams to reality, we're on the lookout for sponsors and partners who are about more than just talk. We're inviting allies who want to be part of a movement that's not just noticed but felt. Are you part of a company or organization that's itching to make an impact? Ready to put your support behind initiatives that not only nurture the growth of Black creators but also showcase the kind of tangible outcomes that make everyone sit up and take notice? We need you. Partnering with Malaika Collective means more than just support; it's about actively circulating dollars and resources back into the community. Our events don't just talk; they deliver. Last year, one of our local small business partners in Brooklyn witnessed a staggering 54% increase in sales post-event. And that's the kind of tangible, communal impact we're talking about. That's the kind of community-driven success you could be part of. That's the power of our community. That's the power of strategic partnership with Malaika Collective. To those holding the reins to Marketing and DEI budgets and looking for an authentic, impactful investment, consider this our rallying cry. Join us to help circulate resources, knowledge, and opportunities back into our creative community.

This #Juneteenth, we recognize organizations like The Black In Gaming Foundation, Black Voices in Gaming, and Black Girl Gamers who advocate for inclusive online spaces and uplift Black professionals in the gaming industry. Games and immersive media have the power to tell meaningful stories that capture the rich histories and cultures of Black communities. One of my favorite examples to highlight is an immersive web experience called "Secret Garden," created by Stephanie Dinkins. It allows us to step into the oral histories of Black women, from surviving a slave boat and a 1920s Black-owned farm to surviving 9/11, and encountering an AI powered by Black women. Today, we celebrate these stories, their creators, and their impact. Check the link in the comments for more on the Secret Garden. 

🌟 Celebrating Black Excellence in Gaming! 🎮 🔥 Did you know? The inventor behind the revolutionary video game cartridge—often hailed as the foundation of modern gaming—was a phenomenal Black individual who revolutionized the industry! 🙌 Let's take a moment to honor their groundbreaking creation and remind ourselves of the limitless potential within black youth and communities. 💪 ✨ Meet Jerry Lawson, the genius behind the interchangeable video game cartridge that forever changed the gaming landscape. As an engineer, he single-handedly paved the way for future generations, allowing video games to bloom into the billion-dollar industry we know today. 🚀 😱 Imagine the massive impact one innovative mind can have on the world. Just like Jerry, young black individuals possess the same remarkable creativity, pioneering spirit, and imagination that can fuel industries and shape the future. 🌍 💡 From passionate gamers to aspiring game creators, there are no limits to what black youth and black people in America can achieve in this diverse realm of gaming. Their talents deserve recognition, respect, and support from across the globe. ✊ #BlackExcellenceInGaming #GameChangersOfColor #EmpoweringBlackYouth #StrengthInDiversity #FuelingBillionDollarIndustries #CreatorsOfTomorrow #CelebratingBlackInnovation

Breakfast catch ups with Mervyn Lyn. Beyond being an actual OG, Mervyn is one of the realist most humble human beings I’ve ever met (if you know you know). I can’t even begin to explain what he’s done in his lifetime, but beyond being a friend he’s an advisor across much of what I do, including The Black Network. He has proffesionally and personally done a lot for Black culture and Black people across the board and our conversations are around advising across how the work we’re doing through The Black Network not only impacts the Black community but also transforms the wider industry. As much as Mervyn really don’t need an introduction, there are a lot of industry people/leaders in my universe that might not know who Mervyn is. In many industry’s it is still very insertions and people only known who they know or what they’re ’comfortable with’, this is the importance of The Black Network and is why Black Out is needed Applications close tonight - link (https://lnkd.in/emG-ZBQR) Partner - bn@cephaswilliams.com #BlackOut2024 / #CannesLions / #TheBlackNetwork

Last night's Super Bowl LVIII Half-Time Show was more than a concert. Black artists like Alicia Keys used their platform to "further racial equity." Back in 2020, Alicia Keys launched a $1 Billion fund for Black-owned businesses and the NFL was one of the first major contributors to that fund. "This fund is one of the answers and our goal is to empower Black America through investing in Black businesses, Black investors, institutions, entrepreneurs, schools, and banks in a way to create sustainable solutions," says Keys. From music to literature, visual arts to performance, the "art of resistance" has taken many forms, amplifying voices, expressing truths, and demanding justice. It's a reminder that art is not just about aesthetics; it's about reflecting the world around us, confronting injustice, and envisioning a more equitable future. #BlackHistoryMonth #ArtofResistance #StepUpforEquity #EquityMatters

Game creators shaping experiences. In honor of Black History Month, we're spotlighting inspiring Black game developers who are bringing inclusive stories and perspectives to the gaming world through their talents. Their creativity, vision, and dedication to meaningful representation are expanding gaming horizons and paving the way for upcoming designers. We celebrate all they have accomplished, as well as their future innovations. Swipe through  to learn about these groundbreaking designers as we feature their unique journeys and impactful contributions shining light on Black joy, complexity, culture, and voices within one of today's most influential art forms. Have these creators impacted or inspired you? Share your thoughts below!  #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackGameDesigners #InclusivityInGaming

This Black History Month, if you are looking for Black creatives to support, consider supporting my latest film project, The Off-Brands! As a fan of the teen movie/coming-of-age genre I felt like they didn’t reflect what my upbringing was like, especially coming-of-age in the Deep South. So, as a filmmaker I decided to change that. THE OFF-BRANDS is a coming-of-age comedy that follows Constance McKinney, a quirky teenager who tries to become recognized in her small town's high school for anything other than being sick. The film provides a diverse and inclusive community with an opportunity to find thrill, nostalgia, hope, and visibility through both the plot and its characters. By showcasing underrepresented communities - people with disabilities, Black southern culture, and Y2K - The Off-Brands has met its moment, and the themes and stories woven through it are ready to enter the public imagination. https://lnkd.in/eRjAAuKw Though we were able to shoot the film, but we still need the help of our community to bring this project to a screen near you: We are raising $12,500 in finishing funds to help us complete post-production for the proof of concept and ultimately get us into the BLACK. Our stretch goals include: $15,000 - This goal will satisfy all outstanding pre-production and principal photography debts. It will also take care of all post-production costs. $20,000- This goal will allow us to pay our above-the-line crew (producers, director, writer, etc.) who volunteered their talents towards making this project happen. $25,000 - This goal will allow us to pay our below-the-line crew for their prep days, travel, and overtime. If you are unable to donate, SHARE SHARE SHARE! The more eyes and engagement, the more we prove to the powers that be that our stories have an audience and are worth investing in. We appreciate you!

From addressing health disparities and criminal justice reform to encouraging more diversity in tech fields, here are just a few organizations doing important work in the Black community that can always use support, during Black History Month and beyond: https://lnkd.in/eR-TH_-R

Interesting fact for Black History month. Did you know there was a Negro Motorist Green Book? A directory created by Victor H. Green, postal carrier that contained listings of safe for Black people to go whilst traveling. Listings included hotels, motels, tourist homes (the homes of private individuals who were willing to offer a room for the night), restaurants, beauty and barber shops, service stations, garages, road houses, taverns, and nightclubs. Originally limited to listings in New York City, the demand for the guide increased so much that by the following year, it became national in both scope and distribution. We are blessed for the world we live in 88 years later. Which brings us back to the ATBB platform, which houses an online directory of Black and Afro business owners across the globe. We are providing collaboration opportunities, access to professional development, educational resources and networks that will help Black and African business owners thrive and expand their ventures. As Victor Green provided a lifeline for those navigating racial injustice then, we continue to foster a platform that promotes black excellence and entrepreneurial growth, serving as a beacon towards financial empowerment and economic equity. (Image Source: thehenryford.org) #blackhistorymonth #blackbusinessowners #blackownedbusinesses #blackownedbrands #blackbusinessmatters #blackbusinesssupport #blackbusinessnetwork

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to talk about the vital role adults play in empowering Black children to freely interact with their world with Executive Director Arthur G. Affleck, III from the Association of Children's Museums.   During our conversation, we emphasized how critical it is for adults to create and nurture environments where Black children can thrive. This is about more than individual actions—though those are crucial—but also about advocating for broader public policy and systemic changes that center Black children as valuable assets worthy of our time, attention and investments, rather than through a deficit-based lens. By viewing Black children as assets, we shift the narrative to one of empowerment and potential, recognizing their inherent strengths and capabilities.   As we continue these conversations and push for necessary changes, let's remember the power we have to shape a better future for our children. It's time to turn our words into action and build a world where Black children are recognized and nurtured as the valuable assets they are, capable of freely and fully engaging with their world.   Take a listen to the ACM podcast here: https://bit.ly/3R6atdy