Blak Powerhouse celebrates the power of community in new documentary via R/GA Australia

Powerhouse has announced that it will establish a major new partnership with First Nations social enterprise We Are Warriors. The partnership will support the ongoing community-led event Blak Powerhouse which will be presented on January 26 each year for Blak generations to come. The partnership will also feature the documentation of each of the programs which will then become part of the Powerhouse First Nations Collection.

Today We Are Warriors and the Powerhouse released the first documentation of the inaugural Blak Powerhouse program. Created in partnership with We Are Warriors, R/GA Australia and Sonder Films, the film documents the inaugural Blak Powerhouse, a free all-ages community-led program that incorporated art, photography, music, dance, panel discussions and the premiere of the documentary ‘Through the Fire.’

Blak Powerhouse embraced the transition of what was once a day of sorrow into one of positivity, bringing together more than 3,000 people to shape fundamental change for First Nations communities. Blak Powerhouse was initiated by We Are Warriors, the social enterprise that celebrates Blak excellence and empowers Indigenous youth.

Says Nooky, founder, We Are Warriors: “Creating this movement for me on that day gave it a new life and for me personally, it gave that day a new meaning. Blak Powerhouse is now a day that we get together and we celebrate our greatness. And this is just the beginning. I want to call out to my brothers and sisters, our Warriors of the future, who want to be part of next year’s event. Now’s the chance for you to show your greatness too.”

Says Lisa Havilah, chief executive, Powerhouse: “Through this incredible new partnership the Powerhouse will continue to reflect the ambitions and stories of our communities. Blak Powerhouse is exactly what museums and communities of the future look like.”

Says Ben Miles, VP, executive creative director, brand design and consulting APAC at R/GA: “On a day that’s so polarising, we took control of the narrative and put a spotlight on Blak excellence. We reached out to the Powerhouse Museum with a brave idea of transforming it into the House of Blak Power. It was a bold move and an invitation to come together and be part of a Blak Future.”

Watch the documentary HERE.

Creative Agency: R/GA Australia
Nooky, Founder, We Are Warriors @nookymusic, @wearewarriors_au
Ben Miles – VP, Executive Creative Director R/GA, @benmilesaway
Kyle Belcher, Executive Content Producer R/GA @kyleb101
Henry Cook, Associate Creative Director R/GA, @henry.registered.copyright
Siona Singletary, Associate Strategy Director R/GA, @sionasingletary
Louis Johanson, Senior Designer R/GA, @louisjohanson.design
Mac Archibald, Motion Design @macarchibald
Claire Rorke, Senior Verbal Designer R/GA
Paven, Operator, Editor, Sonder Films, @sndr.films
Josh Camera Operator, Sonder Films, @sndr.films
Nikhil, Photographer, Sonder Films, @sndr.films
Hugh O’Brien, Camera Operator, @hughobrien.co
Sam Bratby, Camera Operator, @sambratvideo
True Sound – Audio

Powerhouse Museum
Emily McDaniel: Inaugural Director, First Nations (2021-2023)
Dakota Feirer: Program Producer First Nations
Callum Cooper: Head of Digital Engagement

Photo credit: Nikhil Ninan