Our greatest inspiration for this issue was to connect the animated dreams of our ancestors to the energy and upheaval mounted by dreamers today. How do we use our dreams and the art that they birth to take us to a new future?

Free Dreams represents our commitment to dream outside the confines of the colonial architecture that defines our lives and relationship to the state. All of the issues we’ve published and the work we are passionate about at 1919, are a reflection of the values and beliefs that ground us in the work we wish to do, the communities we represent, and the freedoms we seek. With this issue as an organizing backdrop, Free Dreams brings together the voices of Black and racialized community actors to share their art, stories, and critique in conversation with each other, the reader, and their fellow community members. Across the art, stories, and conversations included in this issue you’ll find topics related to abolition and reclaiming the future, displacement and settler colonialism, revolt, heartache, teaching as a foundational element of dreaming, and Black Futurism. You'll find these stories communicated in written and visual mediums such as poetry, essays, creative writing, photography, visual art, and theatre.

Receive a print copy of Free Dreams by mail with your order of this issue for 10.00 or with a “pay what you can” contribution. Your contribution will support the printing and distribution of the publication, our continued ability to pay all of our print contributors, and fund our community projects. All orders will be shipped following the release of Free Dreams on February 26th! Free Dreams will be available for digital PDF viewing for free following our release date in line with our commitment to knowledge sharing and universal accessibility.

Cover photography by Jorian Charlton

Model: Georgia Acheampong