Dario Calmese and the Institute of Black Imagination

Rob Forbes
July 17th, 2025

It's damned hard to be optimistic these days. Many of the progressive movements we grew up supporting, such as civil liberties, racial equality, public education, women’s rights, environmental stewardship, are being degraded and subordinated to a revengeful far right agenda. We see our democracy being transformed into an autocracy and there is no compelling narrative or leadership from the left to confront this regressive backslide.

So where do we go for a dose of optimism? Where do we find a new narrative, an inspiring form of protest? One thing we can do is identify and support individuals who are making a positive difference in our world. Designer and artist, Dario Calmese, is one great example.

We’ve been working with Dario for a couple years with our Studio 50/50 project. After visiting him in his Space 001 in Manhattan, we published a piece on him and his Institution for Black Imagination. The New York Times also did a feature on him recently.

Dario’s work is an example of how one individual can be effective in changing a narrative, in this case, how we see Black culture. His activism plays out on a uniquely creative high ground. For example, when Dario got the opportunity to do a cover photograph of Viola Davis in 2020 for Vanity Fair – being the first Black photographer to shoot a cover for the magazine – he described it like this: “For me, this cover is my protest. But not a protest in ‘Look at how bad you’ve been to me, and I’m angry and upset’, rather, it’s “I’m going to rewrite this narrative. I’m just going to take ownership of it.”

You can support his Institute for Black Imagination in numerous ways – listen to Dario’s podcast, check out his website and consider purchasing some of his thoughtfully curated products. And if you find yourself in Manhattan, you would be silly not to visit his Space 001. Through any of these channels you will be treated to his creative spirit and remarkable talent. It may help rekindle your belief in the human spirit and our better angels.

Read our full article on Dario here and please subscribe to the Studio 50/50 newsletter as we continue to celebrate other remarkable individuals.