Join us for a screening of Visual AIDS’ "Alternate Endings, Radical Beginnings," a series of new video works by seven contemporary artists—Mykki Blanco, Cheryl Dunye (with Ellen Spiro), Reina Gossett, Thomas Allen Harris, Kia Labeija, Tiona McClodden and Brontez Purnell— that prioritize Black narratives within the ongoing AIDS epidemic.

In spite of the impact of HIV/AIDS within Black communities, these stories and experiences are often excluded from larger artistic and historical narratives. In 2016, African Americans represented 44% of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Given this context, it is increasingly urgent to feature a myriad of stories that consider and represent the lives of those housed within this statistic. "Alternate Endings, Radical Beginnings" seeks to highlight the voices of those that are marginalized within broader Black communities nationwide, including queer and trans folks.

Curated by Erin Christovale and Vivian Crockett for Visual AIDS, "Alternate Endings, Radical Beginnings" is the 28th iteration of Visual AIDS’ longstanding Day With(out) Art project. The commissioned projects include intimate meditations of young HIV positive protagonists; a consideration of community-based HIV/AIDS activism in the South; explorations of the legacies and contemporary resonances within AIDS archives; a poetic journey through New York exploring historical traces of queer and trans life, and more. Together, the videos provide a platform centering voices deeply impacted by the ongoing epidemic.

Discussion to follow with Bré Campbell, Founder of the Trans Sistas of Color Project, Leon Golson, Director of Prevention Programs for Unified HIV Health and Beyond in Ypsilanti, MI; and Demario Longmire, a recent U-M graduate with a degree in Linguistics, LGBTQ Studies and Intergroup Relations who is currently a Health Corps Fellow working with communities affected by HIV/AIDS in Washington, D.C.

Presented by the UMMA Student Engagement Council and co-sponsored by the U-M Spectrum Center. Additional partners include the U-M Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities, Trans Sistas of Color Project, and Unified HIV Health and Beyond.

Student programming at UMMA is generously supported by the University of Michigan Credit Union Arts Adventures Program, UMMA's Lead Sponsor for Student and Family Engagement.