For Black History Month 2024, immersive entertainment display, Outernet London, put on a series of exhibitions in line with this year’s theme: ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. The work was displayed with the aim of educating and inspiring the public.

The UK’s most visited cultural attraction, Outernet is open to the public as an open digital exhibition space. To mark Black History Month this year, Outernet made the most of its high-exposure space to platform Black narratives.

Aiming to highlight Black joy, innovation, and history, Outernet partnered with The Independent for ‘Black History in Focus’. The work was led by the newspaper’s Race Correspondent, Nadine White, and is the third collaboration between the two organisations. Previously, they have worked together on activations for Pride and International Women’s Day.

In the experiential activation, ‘Black History in Focus’, The Independent and Outernet showcased photographs and news stories from the newspaper’s archives that centre around the theme of ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.

Accompanied by narration from Nadine White from her piece, “Why celebrate Black History Month? Perhaps ask yourself, why not?”, the exhibit gave voice to Black stories, with some of these assets being displayed publicly for the first time. Alongside selected articles, QR codes were positioned to provide more information to visitors.

The Now Vista screens have also displayed a message from Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, throughout Black History Month 2024. The message recognised and honoured Black public figures, trail blazers like Stormzy and Dianne Abbott who have hadv significant impact on the city.

Kicking off on the 7th of October, audiences could visit ‘Emoji Shower: a celebration of Black joy’ at The Now Building. The work aimed to highlight how inclusion and representation are vital in digital communication.

Artist Emmanuel Sugo curated short works which looked at, amongst other themes, the influence of migration on London’s culture through various art forms, ‘Watchin’, and heritage conveyed through dressing, ‘Rhythm Rituals’.

GenB TV also contributed to the Month’s exhibition collection. A part of BA Diversity Media Group, GenB TV platformed three works: ‘Pioneers of the Screen’, ‘Museum of Black Innovation’, and ‘Black Heros’. The pieces explored Black British icons on and off the screens, and leaders in science, music and business.

Speaking on the work, Scott Neal, Creative Director Culture and Lifestyle at Outernet, commented: “More than ever and in order to build a brighter future, we need to keep telling stories and raise awareness of the journeys people have been on and continue to live”.

A vast and diverse body of works, Black History Month 2024 at Outernet is a great example of how digital out of home media can be used to amplify underrepresented voices. Embracing the theme of this year, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, Outernet used its reach to give a platform to Black stories, icons, and artists.