Zumbi dos Palmares College's 'Black Box' Unveils Hidden Side of Black History

Before slavery, they were black experts in many fields, contributing to human history with important inventions that range from the telescope to setting the basis of cubism in art. It should be in school books, but it is not.

Zumbi dos Palmares College, the only black college in Brazil, and J. Walter Thompson Brazil have developed the Black Box project, unveiling this side of history in order to bring pride and knowledge to Afro-descendants, promoting a historical correction and placing hidden stories about black people’s cultural legacy to the spotlight. 

“After 300 years of slavery in Brazil, it is urgent to change the mindset that permeates a hidden past fundamental to regain self-esteem and correct crucial historical omissions that were the basis of racism in Brazil. We chose this path, through education, because we believe that is the right start. Correcting the past we can create a different future with more justice and opportunities” says Danilo Janjacomo, creative director, and Talita Cardozo, head of art at JWT Brazil.

15,000 hours of work of African-Brazilian researchers, historians, journalists, teachers, and people involved in black militancy turned into a 200-page book that brings black people’s cultural and historical legacy into the spotlight. The book includes black boxes in translucent tracing paper that reveal important historical information and names of black heroes when the pages are turned over.

“When the idea of writing this book came up we didn’t realise it would have so many subjects. But as we started searching, a whole world opened up in front of us with discoveries we never could imagine. And the result is a fascinating material, filled with historical correction and stories that no one in Brazil ever knew of. Now, we deliver this book to black students with the will to provide them pride about their color, to restore their identity and with a feeling of mission accomplished, but still, knowing that this issue is inexhaustible. And that’s why we’ll never stop discovering” said Ariane Polvoni, editor in chief, and Thamara Pinheiro, content research and copywriter of the project.