This article presents a duoethnographic, critical arts-based research project, which began as a pre-recorded, on-demand presentation for the 2021 National Art Education Association Annual Convention. This is an edited, expanded print version of the authors' conference session examining hair as text and sites of identity/respectability politics, positionality, rites of passage, liminality, and selfhood.

Video recording featuring co-hosts Lauren Cross, Ph.D., and Kathy Brown, Ph.D., engage in ongoing conversations about anti-racist pedagogy in the arts and design. Joined by distinguished guest panelists, Joni Boyd Acuff, Ph.D., and James Haywood Rolling Jr., Ed.D., this first installment of the 2044 series introduces Afrofuturism and the ways that it can help reimagine art discourses, laying the groundwork for establishing Afrofuturism as a framework for conceptualizing and enacting anti-racist art education practice. In addition to sharing their work and how it relates to Afrofuturism and futurist thinking, the panelists discuss how recognizing Black and Brown artists and advocating for racial literacy is essential to creating and maintaining a racial consciousness practice in K-12 education.

Art work, sculpture, installation by artist Jacob Tylor Gibson, as part of an exhibition entitled "From Every Depth of Good and Ill" in the Cora Stafford Gallery, University of North Texas, from April 26 to April 29, 2023.

Art work Oil on Linen by artist Sarah DePetris, as part of an exhibition entitled " Rainbows, Stones & Ghosts (Part II)" in the Cora Stafford Gallery (South), College of Visual Arts & Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, from April 5-8, 2023. Photographed by Stephanie Gerhart.

Art work of oil on linen by artist Sarah DePetris, as part of an exhibition entitled " Rainbows, Stones & Ghosts (Part II)" in the Cora Stafford Gallery (South), College of Visual Arts & Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, from April 5-8, 2023. Photographed by Stephanie Gerhart.

Headband of cotton jersey in "Periwinkle Pliers" design with two clear plastic buttons. Approximately 1 1/2" wide.

Video recording featuring guest panelists, Stephanie A. Johnson-Cunningham, and Kelli Morgan, Ph.D., this third installment of the 2044 series frames Afrofuturism and futurist thinking in museum practice to examine the roles museums play in maintaining and recreating anti-blackness and white supremacy. Panelists discuss how museum educators and curators can practice anti-racist pedagogy and thinking. Racist and colonial practices of museums need greater racial equity and recognition. Through the use of visual imagery, Afrofuturism as a framework may be a viable strategy for community building, imagination, and expression. Recognizing that museums are rooted in white colonial narratives that have been and continue to be oppressive to Black and people of color, museums can amplify Black experiences and narratives while pointing out the need for systemic change in the sector. From the periphery of colonial violence and commodification to the centrality of visibility and recognition, museum education can provide opportunities to “analyze how racism shapes how we view, discuss, create, and engage multiple audiences within the museums.”

Works of art on image transfer onto concrete, ratchet straps by artist Kaitlin West.

Works of art on mixed media by artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art from artist's Google Chrome Search History from June-July 2021, digital print on cotton, resin-coated digital print on Masonite, resin hanger, printed tags, by artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art from artist's Edited Instagram Ad Interests on 8/31/21. Digital print on cotton, resin-coated digital print on Masonite, resin hanger, printed tag of a message back to Instagram's Ad algorithm by artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art from artist's Apple iPhone Significant locations from 2019-2021, digital print on cotton, resin-coated digital print on Masonite, resin hanger, printed tags, by artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art from artist's Apple iPhone Significant locations from 2019-2021, digital print on cotton, mannequin, painted box. By artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art from artist's Off-Facebook Third-Parties from 2019-2021. Digital print on cotton, a resin-coated digital print on Masonite, resin hanger, printed tags by artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art from artist's Spotify streaming data from July-Aug 2021. Digital print on cotton, resin-coated digital print on Masonite, resin hanger, hand embroidery of Spotify's statement on their data selling policy by artist Christine Drake-Thomas as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "The Third-Party Pop-Up Shop" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 13th to 16th, 2022.

Works of art of ceramic, pearls, and silk by artist Amy Henson.

Works of art close up of side view of bust by artist Amy Henson as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "Maternalia" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from March 30 to April 2, 2022.

Works of art close up of ceramic sculpture by artist Amy Henson as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "Maternalia" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from March 30 to April 2, 2022.

Works of art on Ceramic and mixed media by artist Amy Henson as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "Maternalia" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from March 30 to April 2, 2022.

Works of art on Toned cyanotype on dyed fabric, porcelain by artist Aaron Pozos (Installation view) as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "Bellows of the Beast" in the the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from March 30 to April 2, 2022.

Works of art on virtual environment by artist Nathan Harper as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "…And Still I Wander South" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 27 to 29, 2022.

Works of art on virtual environment by artist Nathan Harper as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "…And Still I Wander South" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 27 to 29, 2022.

Works of art on virtual environment by artist Nathan Harper as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "…And Still I Wander South" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 27 to 29, 2022.

Works of art on virtual environment by artist Nathan Harper as part of a 2022 MFA exhibition, entitled "…And Still I Wander South" in the Cora Stafford Gallery South, 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201, from April 27 to 29, 2022.