Melanin Spaces

Melanin spaces is a space occupation initiative aimed at getting people of African descent into spaces of exclusion in the extremely segregated city of Gothenburg. The project was developed as part of my Master's thesis practical project where I explored the role of a social designer in the context of a newly formed group of individuals who wanted to create a network for black people in Gothenburg. The group was formed at HDK/ Valand at an event organised by myself, Nyamusi Nyambok from the Afro-Swedish Organisation and Jasmin Kelekay from Afrosvenskarnas Forum för Rättvisa

In an effort to reclaim our public spaces and challenge the politics of visibility in order to empower ourselves and our community, Melanin spaces was created. During the several occupations we've had, we discussed why it was important to have melanated spaces, what it meant to be in the diaspora, and even shared different Afrikan folklore from our childhoods. In total, we occupied three spaces: Göteborgs Konsthall, Rhösska museet, and the venue where my final thesis presentation was held, Kyrkogatan. 

Although I was the project lead for the initiative and wrote my thesis on it, I'd like to acknowledge the collective participation and contribution by Daysury Valencia, Isatou Svenungsson, Ismaila Jallow, Aron Zahran, Pluva Abdo, Vera Marcelo and Veronica Odetunde. 

Text by: Nontokozo Tshabalala