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ARTIST TALKS . KEYNOTES . CLASS VISITS . WORKSHOPS . 

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Over the last twenty years, James Spooner has shared his unique perspective with audiences large and small on topics ranging from the power of underground movements, art’s surprising ripple effect, DIY publishing, and the trials and triumphs of his personal journey with AfroPunk.

 

Drawing on his experiences directing the Afro-Punk documentary, co-founding the AfroPunk Music Festival, and the arduous process of creating his first graphic novel, Spooner’s goal is to leave audiences of all ages politically and artistically inspired.

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Spooner is available for Slide-Show talks, Keynotes, In Conversations, Screenings, and Workshops for all ages, and enjoys curating and organizing events surrounding themes within his work. 

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Contact James directly if you are a DIY space or independent organization. Universities, Libraries, and Institutions please email the Tuesday Agency. 

spoonersnofun@gmail.com

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Tuesday Agency

trinity@tuesdayagency.com

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PREPARED SLIDE SHOWS:

Time estimates reference slide show length, typical program length varies.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IS WILD (20/40 min) ​

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Using personal examples, starting with a modest high school zine to the no-budget Afro-Punk documentary, and later the DIY Afro Punk Festival, James illustrates how small art projects can have unexpected reach. In a world where our value seems to be measured by how many social media followers we have, James encourages audiences to focus on their immediate community for tangible fulfillment. "The results, response, and reach of your work might surprise you."

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Performed as a keynote speech at Bowling Green University, ICON illustration Festival, Las Positas College Lit Fest, and Sacramento Public Library's main branch. 
 

 

​DIY DOESN'T STOP (40 min) 

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With independent publishers and zine makers in mind, James demystifies the process of his publishing journey. From securing an agent to pub date––and then the real work that follows. 

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Ninety-eight percent of books don't sell more than 1000 copies. The vast majority of those don't sell 50!  With books in their third and fourth printing, James is thankful to have broken into the two percent, but the distance between him and international best sellers is vast. For those of us who aren't airport authors, James pulls no punches to explain how the lessons he's learned from DIY got him national press, and how he continues to promote. You can do it too!

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Performed at Los Angeles Central Library, Reed College Zine Fest, and Amelia Island Book Fair, among others.

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DON'T WAIT FOR PERMISSION (20 min)

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This one is for kids in middle and high school. James has put together a shorter slideshow meant to inspire kids to put aside their fears and get started on their dreams. Framed in lessons from the DIY punk scene, where kids continue to be empowered by other kids, the overarching message is "You don't have to wait for permission, You don't have to wait for it to be perfect." 

 

After the slide show, it's typical for kids to have a lot of questions. James' "ask me anything" approach keeps kids engaged.  â€‹

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Performed at Larchmont Charter School, Regeneration  Middle School, CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, CICS Washington Park, Cobalt Institute of Math and Science and The Park School of Baltimore

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AFROPUNK - THE UNDERGROUND TO MAINSTREAM (30 min) 

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As the founder and creator of Afro Punk, James shares a compelling story about the irony of losing his black punk dream––only to regain it in a most unexpected way.​ James Spooner set out to redefine Blackness for alternative kids embracing the ethics of punk rock rebellion culture throughout the country. James added nuance to what it is to be “Black” by telling punk kids’ stories and developing Afro-Punk both as a film, culture, and later as the Afro Punk Festival.

 

James relays the story of finding punk culture, the reasons behind making the film, where the protagonists are today, building the AfroPunk community, and why he had to step away from the festival after being ensnared in a punk vs. capitalism tug of war. 

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This slide show pairs excellently with a screening of the documentary for a 90min-120min program.​

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Performed at Toronto Comics Art Fair (TCAF), Nike Headquarters, Emerald City Comic Con, Northwest Film Forum, and countless Afro-Punk Screenings. 

SPOTLIGHT ON LIBRARIES

James Spooner's events have brought diverse, and sometimes unlikely, audiences to local library branches.

 

"After all––what is more punk than the public library?!"

​IN COVERSATION W/ KATHLEEEN HANNA 

— Los Angeles Public Library

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BLACK PUNK NOW BOOK TALK— DC Public Library

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BLACK PUNK NOW BOOK TALK  w/ TUNDE ADEBIMPE 

— Los Angeles Public Library

 

TATTOOING THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

— Los Angeles Public Library

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​Other Library events include branches in New York City, Sacramento, Columbus, Berkeley, Alameda and more! 

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SELECTED PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Seattle Arts and Lectures

  • Vancouver Comics Arts Festival

  • LA Made: Los Angeles Public Library Speaker Series

  • Nike Headquarters

  • Emerald City Comic Con

  • Binghamton University

  • Cornell University 

  • LA Zine Fest

  • Short Run Comics Festival

  • Cartoon Crossroads: Ohio

  • Small Press Expo: DC

  • San Francisco Zine Fest

  • Broad Museum

  • BreakFree Festival

  • New York Public Library

  • New York Center for Fiction

  • MOCADA Museum 

  • Chicago Humanities Festival

  • Los Angeles, CA - LA Zine Fest

  • Montreal POP Festival 

  • Columbia University 

  • New School, New York 

  • Duke University 

  • The Hammer Museum, UCLA 

  • Cal State Los Angeles

  • American Film Institute

  • The MOMA – New York 

  • DuSable Museum of African American History

  • Columbia College Chicago

  • The Brooklyn Academy of Music​

  • Yale University

  • Harvard University

  • Georgetown University

  • Emory University

  • DePauw University

  • George Washington University

  • Rutgers University

  • Anthology Film Archives, NYC

  • University of Delaware

  • East Carolina University

  • Emerson College

  • Oberlin College

  • Berkeley College of Music

  • York University, Toronto 

  • The Rotunda, Philadelphia

  • Bard College

  • Cal State University of Monterey Bay

  • University of Michigan

  • TIFF, Toronto International Festival

  • American Black Film Festival

  • Festival International de Cine de Mar del Plata

  • Milan International Film Festival

  • Black Harvest Film Festival

  • The Fuji Rock Festival

  • South by Southwest Festival

  • San Francisco Black Film Festival

  • Langston Hughes Film Festival

  • And hundreds of other book stores, organizations, universities, and independent spaces…

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