Blacker, the sequel to the 2009 exhibit, Black, has opened at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library and will be on display until Sunday, June 14. Building on its earlier showing at the DC Arts Center in the Adams Morgan neighborhood in 2009, this new exhibit continues to explore the evolution of Black artists.

At the exhibit's opening, members of the Black Artists of DC (BADC)—a 27-year-old creative networking group—were present, highlighting the community aspect that these events foster. Among them were 83-year-old Daniel Brookings and 41-year-old Neville Barbour, representing different generations within the group.

During a series of short panel discussions, Brookings encouraged artists to travel for inspiration. “It’s one thing to talk about Rio de Janeiro and another to see and talk to the people,” he said. Brookings made clear that artists in many countries don’t have the freedom to express themselves as they wish and says that such encounters have made him “appreciate the freedom” he has in the United States of America.

Barbour, the father of two, encourages membership in the group. “I am thankful for the intergenerational dialogue,” he affirmed. The visual artist says he doesn’t find time to create charcoal drawings until “my kids are in bed,” and adds that being part of BADC has made his art better.

Claudia (Aziza) Gibson-Hunter, president and co-founder of the group, says one of the reasons they sponsored the first and second shows was to give artists a chance to curate a showing. Gibson-Hunter, Viola Leek, and Planta Reader founded the group in 1999.  During the panel and fellowship discussions, attendees remembered some members who have passed, including photographer Harlee Little, whose work appears in Port of Harlem, and James Porter.