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Celebrating Vision and Resilience: Selena Wilson Talks Black Futures Ball and Afrofuturism on Hard Knock Radio

On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Selena Wilson, CEO of East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), to discuss the upcoming 4th Annual Black Futures Ball"a vibrant celebration of Afrofuturism, community resilience, and youth empowerment.

Held on Saturday, August 2 at the Chabot Space and Science Center, this years event pays tribute to the legendary Sun Ra and his 1974 cult classic film Space Is the Place, which was filmed in Oakland. The timing couldnt be more aligned, as the Sun Ra Arkestra is also set to perform in the Bay Area that same weekend. It felt like a harmonic convergence, Wilson said, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural alignment.

Wilson explained the Black Futures Balls deeper purpose: to fund college scholarships for youth served by EOYDC. The event raises more than $150,000 annually for students"providing not only financial support but also a platform to amplify imagination, creativity, and radical vision. Inspired by works like Black Panther, Ironheart, and the new Superman, the Ball offers a space for attendees to dream boldly, dress boldly, and imagine liberating futures rooted in joy and Black excellence.

Davey D and Wilson spoke about the power of Afrofuturism to nurture imagination, especially in times of political disillusionment. Theres a continuum, Wilson explained, acknowledging both despair and creativity among youth. While some are discouraged by attacks on education, climate change, and systemic injustice, many are thinking beyond the limitations of the current system building apps, designing curricula, and leveraging AI for social good.

The Ball itself promises a vibrant collision of fashion, science fiction, ancestral reverence, and dance-floor vibes. Think Met Gala meets AfroPunk meets Comic-Con. Its a space where people come in full regalia"from cosmic alien fits to ancestral robes, Wilson said. This year, EOYDC is collaborating with the Black Cultural Zone to host jewelry-making workshops and fashion pop-ups to help attendees build their look.

Wilson also spotlighted Oaklands rising representation in pop culture, celebrating creators like Ryan Coogler and Shanaka Hodge, who are shifting narratives through media and imagination. Films like Freaky Tales and the newest Superman reflect the Bays indelible imprint on futurist storytelling.

Throughout the conversation, the message was clear: collective vision, grounded in justice and creativity, is our most powerful tool. It took more than Superman, Wilson noted. It took a whole team.

For more info and tickets, visit EOYDCs social media and website. VIP doors open at 6 PM; general admission starts at 8 PM. Costumes encouraged"Sun Ra energy welcomed.

In the second half of the show, we pay tribute to the tragic loss of actor and humanitarian Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. His contributions to the arts, activism, and Black representation will not be forgotten.