Please join us for the Black Diasporas Boorloo-Perth community gathering and exhibition.

Black Diasporas Boorloo-Perth is an oral narrative project that documents the experiences of individuals from the African diaspora living in Perth. Join us at this community opening to celebrate with the 150+ residents of African diasporic heritage who contributed to making this project a reality by hearing 500+ of their stories, and seeing 10 commissioned short films.

The project builds on the success of the Naarm-Melbourne, Tkaronto-Toronto, and Manahatta-NYC editions. Making a reference to African oral narrative cultural practices, by hearing people, literally, tell their own stories in their own voice, we learn more about diversity and nuance of the Black Life in this city.

Celebrate the digital map, an archive that holds stories ranging from the Australian contribution to the anti-apartheid movement, to the mundaness of catching the train, the joys of family life, and birth, to the loss of life, mental health challenges, and the tragedy of the effects of racial stereotyping; the history and changes of suburbs from Fremantle to the Swan Valley - Joondalup to Mandurah, Mirrabooka to Cannington, to community events, the joys of family life, joys of family life; playing as a child; the history of our suburbs.

Our voices telling our stories.

Open Wednesday 27th May - Sunday 31st May 2026

This Black Diasporas Boorloo-Perth exhibition and community gathering is made possible by support from the City of Swan. We extend our sincere gratitude to the City for their sponsorship and to the Midland Junction Arts Centre for their generosity in hosting this event. The exhibition is produced by Upbeat Productions and afrOURban.

The broader Black Diasporas Boorloo-Perth project was made possible through the vital support of the Scanlon Foundation, the Australian Multicultural Foundation, the Curtin University Centre for Australia-Africa Relations, the Curtin African Students Association, and the Murdoch University African Society.

The Black Diasporas Boorloo-Perth project takes place on the unceeded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge their communities, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations.

Events on Saturday 30th May 2026

11:00-12:00 Bemba Language lesson taught by the African Language Academy Australia

12:00-14:00 The Stories We Carry led by Colin Archibald

13:00-14:00 if I am a museum led by Vuma Phiri

14:00-15:00 From Survival to Self;Reclaiming the parts of ourselves left behind led by Ekua Abaka (Black Girls Level Up)

14:00-15:00 Batuques - Afro Longevity led by Shoshi Montsitsi

15:00-16:00 Swahili Language lesson taught by the African Language Academy Australia

Sunday 31st May 2026

12:30-15:00 Joy & Balloons (EP): Live Performance, Community Gathering & Open Mic by Ayo Busari

14:30-15:30 Healing the broken pieces between us spoken word and dance performance by Bree Woods