In the past decade, awareness has grown that the Netherlands is also struggling with the legacy of its colonial past. A movement emerged that made a stand against Zwarte Piet and institutional and anti-black racism. In June 2020, more than 50,000 people from all provinces of the Netherlands took to the streets during the #BlackLivesMatter protests.

The Black Manifesto emerged from these movements: a 'living document' with concrete advice and demands from and for Black communities about tackling racism and inequality in Dutch society. Various sectors such as education, the labor market, art and culture are included and examined. The exhibition 'Black Manifesto' translates this document into contemporary art.

The project is the culmination of the open call Manifesting Systemic Change Through Creative Waves, organized by Nederland Wordt Beter, New Urban Collective, The Black Archives and Black Queer & Trans Resistance NL in collaboration with BAK, basis voor actuele kunst, Utrecht.