Femi Folorunsho, a Nigerian-born research assistant at Ball State University, has been honored with the 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Research Award by the Broadcast Education Association (BEA).
Folorunsho received the prestigious award for his research paper, titled Reimagining Futures and Challenging Norms: A Critical Analysis of Afrofuturism, Gender Dynamics, and Aesthetic Representation in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The paper delved into the cultural, narrative, and aesthetic aspects of the 2022 Marvel film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The analysis specifically explored the film’s portrayal of Afrofuturism, gender representation, and visual storytelling, and its continuation of the legacy of the 2018 original film.
It also examined how the film addresses the emotional and narrative impact of the late Chadwick Boseman’s passing.
One key focus of the study is the film’s depiction of a technologically advanced yet culturally rich African society, with a strong emphasis on female leadership through characters like Shuri, Queen Ramonda, and the Dora Milaje.
Folorunsho also highlighted the costume design by Ruth E. Carter, an Academy Award winner, whose fusion of traditional African aesthetics with futuristic fashion strengthens the film’s Afrofuturist narrative.
In his analysis, Folorunsho emphasized how Wakanda Forever reshapes cultural legacies by centering Black women and reimagining African cultural narratives.
“Wakanda Forever not only continues a legacy but reshapes it by centering Black women and African cultural imagination,” said Folorunsho. “It’s important to critically engage with how stories like this challenge norms and broaden our understanding of inclusion in cinema.”
An emerging scholar in media and cultural studies, Folorunsho specializes in African and African diasporic storytelling, with interests in critical media theory, identity politics, and global Black narratives.
He has presented his research at international conferences and contributed to peer-reviewed publications.
The BEA Diversity & Inclusion Research Award is granted annually to works that explore issues of equity related to race, gender, disability, and socioeconomic status. Folorunsho’s paper was selected from a competitive pool of submissions from BEA’s interest division research competitions and the Festival of Media Arts faculty creative competition.
