Announcement of the partnership.
Public introduction of Tremaine Emory as the Descendants Forum's Inaugural Cultural Ambassador.
Palaver Tree Session #1: Introducing Tremaine Emory & Denim Tears
Tremaine Emory meets with Descendant Forum members to share the intellectual, historical, and ancestral foundations of his work, while reflecting on themes including ancestry and memory, the relationship between archives and creative practice, the significance of material culture, storytelling through fashion, and the creative processes through which Denim Tears transforms inherited histories into contemporary cultural expression.
Palaver Tree Session #2: Descendancies
Representatives from several Descendants Forum member organizations present their own histories. Rather than presenting to an audience, this session would function as a collaborative exchange, allowing Tremaine and Denim Tears to hear directly from Descendant communities about the histories they preserve and the futures they imagine.
Palaver Tree Session #3: Co-Visioning
Tremaine and the Denim Tears team present early concepts, themes, sketches, mood boards, or prototypes inspired by these conversations. Representatives from DF member organizations provide feedback, ensuring the collection reflects the values, histories, and aspirations of Descendant communities. This collaborative design process embodies one of the Forum's central commitments: Descendant participation in the interpretation of their own histories.
Founding Collection design refinement & production.
Development of exhibition plans.
Public storytelling campaign documenting the collaboration.
The Descendants Forum's Inaugural Convening.
Official Debut of the Founding Collection, and Recognition of Tremaine Emory as the Forum's Inaugural Cultural Ambassador.
Announcement of future collaborations.
