Chicago-born architect Germane Barnes explores the connections between identity and the built environment—using research, design, and activism to mine the social and political agency of architecture and uncover the spatial histories and futures of Black self-determination.

Messenger of Salvation and Liberation showcases the visionary work of self-taught artist Purvis Young, who transformed discarded materials into vibrant narratives of resistance and redemption. Rooted in the streets of Overtown, Young’s paintings reflect the pain of systemic oppression and the hope of spiritual salvation. His signature imagery—processions of figures, angelic messengers, and urban landscapes—serves as a testament to resilience and community struggle. Drawing inspiration from history books, mural traditions, and everyday life, Young’s art is both a document of Black life in America and an urgent call for justice and renewal.