From The Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture

by Grace D. Gipson, The Great Courses

Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that seeks to explore and transform the experience of the African diaspora. Stretching across multiple art forms and genres, the movement taps into the limitless potential of creativity and the imagination to envision Black liberation through stories, music, architecture, fashion, music, and so much more.

In the six lessons of From The Wiz to Afrofuturism in Pop Culture, Grace D. Gipson of Virginia Commonwealth University will trace the history of the movement and introduce you to the writers, artists, and creators who are revisiting the past as they build a new vision for the future. From the work of pioneering Black writers like W. E. B. DuBois to the blockbuster Black Panther films and beyond, you’ll see how Afrofuturism is an ongoing cultural project that grows stronger and more multifaceted with each new generation of Afrofuturist creators.

A movement of both reclamation and innovation, Afrofuturism offers unique perspectives that will only continue to grow and evolve, challenging us to rethink the way we engage with history, pop culture, and our conception of the future. By fostering creative visions that push boundaries and shatter stereotypes, the Afrofuturist movement brings new, diverse narratives to life that are transforming our pop culture landscape in revolutionary ways.

Audible Audio

Published July 10, 2025

Reviews

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Afrofuturism has produced some truly wonderful stories and I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read this Great Lectures overview. At its heart, Afrofuturism is an effort to take black characters out of the supporting roles in novels and movies and give them the protagonist's position. And they want to do this without making them dark-skinned clones of white Europeans and Americans. They want to ground their characters and the future they are creating in the rich cultures and mythologies of Africans and African-Americans. The result has been some absolutely superb characters and stories and Gipson wants to introduce them all to you.

In some ways, the desire to cover dozens of authors and their tales is a weakness of this book because it costs Gipson the chance to really delve deeply into any single book, movie, or TV show. But on the other hand, she convincingly demonstrated that this subgenre of science fiction is no flash in the pan but a rich and enduring exploration of what can be—the whole reason science fiction exists in the first place.

As always when I read a book that surveys a lot of different titles, I was delighted to have read or at least known about so many of them. And if I disagree that The Wiz is truly an example of Afrofuturism, Gibson did convince me that it managed to incorporate many of the subgenre's critical themes. The Black Panther movie is probably the best-known example of Afrofuturism but Gibson didn't stop there, taking the time to touch on the movie's roots in the Marvel Comics character and many series, as well as sampling a large number of other influential cartoons and comic books exploring these ideas. She also convinced me that I have to finally make time for Lovecraft Country, which I wanted to watch when it was first released but never quite did.

This is a great book to expose you to a rich and exciting field of science fiction that you've probably enjoyed without realizing it exists.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how to rate this course. I finally decided that it rated 4 stars on the condition that you understand that most of these lectures are lists of examples of Black Science Fiction and Fantasy in TV, Movies, Novels, Comics, Music and Fashion. There is some analysis, but mostly it is a review of each and you must trust that the professor knows what she is talking about. Luckily, the professor speaks with confidence, and really sells it without preaching. Ultimately that is what sold me on giving this audio course 4 stars.

I may listen to this audio course again simply to look for additional reading/viewing/listening suggestions.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice that the six chapters cover such a range of expression. Sometimes hard to follow as would reference things without really describing them, instead just saying that person X was an attribute of Afro futurism. So resonated more with source material I was already familiar with like black panther.

[Stephanie G. Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each lesson is a lesson enjoyably taught.
I do think the reason for the placement of the National Museum of African American History and Culture is not due to an awareness of our contribution but the only space available after so much opposition to putting it anywhere else in The District.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great info

[John Remedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good information contained here. An enjoyable listen.