Lauryn Hill tribute anchors Black History Month lineup from Milwaukee’s new culture curators

Milwaukee’s vibrant arts and culture scene gains an exciting new addition this February with the launch of Culture X Design’s inaugural programming. The newly-founded experience curation firm’s Black History Month calendar features a diverse blend of film screenings, discussions, and musical events that promise to educate and entertain throughout the month.

Culture X Design is a Milwaukee-based experience curation and engagement marketing firm founded in October 2023 by Managing Partners Geraud Blanks, Maureen Post, and Lead Cultural Strategist Ranell Washington. Specializing in business-to-consumer event curation and business-to-business experiential marketing services, Culture X Design is committed to fostering a sense of belonging for residents of Southeastern Wisconsin through diverse cultural initiatives.

Anchoring the lineup is a two-part tribute to the seminal album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” which marks 25 years since its release. On February 10th, Baltimore educator LaShay Harvey and award-winning culture critic Joan Morgan will explore Hill’s artistic legacy in a panel discussion entitled “In Retrospect: The Life & Times of Lauryn Hill.” The event takes place at Radio Milwaukee.

Then, on February 24th, local ensemble Brew City Soul will lead “Groove Theory: The Lauryn Hill Experience” at The Cooperage. Billed as an immersive concert experience, the evening features Milwaukee artists interpreting Hill’s most iconic tracks.

Another calendar highlight is Black Love x Design: Boomerang Reconsidered on February 16th, presented in partnership with HYFIN. Join us for an exposition of the film BOOMERANG starring Eddie Murphy as Marcus Graham, a hotshot advertising executive who is also an insatiable womanizer and male chauvinist. Culture x Design co-founder Geraud Blanks leads a panel of local film and media scholars to discuss the impact of the 1992 American romantic comedy on depictions of Black intimacy, friendship, and affluence on screen.

Other noteworthy events on the calendar include:

• Black History Trivia on February 3rd at Company Brewing, with Milwaukee Brewers prize packages up for grabs
• Reel-to-Real: Short Films & Conversation on February 8th at Radio Milwaukee, combining film screenings and guided discussions
• Black Love x Design: Boomerang Reconsidered on February 16th at Radio Milwaukee, a conversation on the impact of the popular 90s romantic comedy
• Creativity x Design: Black in Milwaukee’s Creative Economy on February 29th at MIAD’s ART + Culture Hub, a networking event and town hall discussion on opportunities for local Black creatives and cultural entrepreneurs

The ambitious debut programming from Culture X Design promises engaging discourse, quality entertainment, and celebratory energy throughout Black History Month. Follow their website and social channels for full details on the February events calendar.