By Audrey Ingram

The Modern African Diaspora Experience (MADE) is now live for the public to preview.

The online museum is the brainchild of Joyce Barnes, an associate professor of English at Sinclair Community College, and her co-founders, Karol Brown, Kathy Banks and Esu Ma’at.

“MADE is an online platform for people interested in the African-Atlantic Diaspora,” said Barnes. “We’re always aware of disasters, unrest in the Caribbean, South America, North America. This platform will celebrate what’s dope — what’s going on with artists, business owners, everyday people, students.”

The African Atlantic diaspora comprises 30+ countries in the Atlantic region with a significant African descendent population, Barnes explained. MADE seeks to educate and connect people across those countries through online media, affiliate marketing and travel.

“We see experience as defined by travel, festivals, other kinds of events, and through applications online,” she said. “There’s this ignorance we all have and are comfortable with, and I want to help dispel that and bring out and celebrate the joy and soul and people and history and culture.”

Barnes and her cofounders are also part of Co-Op Dayton’s first social enterprise incubator that started in January. She was invited to apply after pitching MADE at Launch Dayton’s September 2019 Early Risers event.

The museum is set to have its grand launch in March.

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