Blamify Part II: The Circles of Influence
This blog is for innovative educators, creative minds, and wonderous scholars. In case this is your first blog I'm De'Von Truvel and in 2018 I created Black Wall Street the Board Game. I became obsessed with researching this thriving Black Community and making it fun for families around the world. This experience allow me to stumble open the process of blamification, a framework that merges Black Studies and gamification to educate and illuminate minds. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, you can read our first blog on the topic for an introduction here.
As the concept of Blamification becomes clear, it’s vital to recognize the people who contribute to this ideology. Past, present., and future. We’ve identified five essential groups of stakeholders, we are calling the Blamify Circles of Influence, each playing a crucial role in shaping the concept and community of Blamify.
When reading through the circles of influence please understand there is no hierarchy of influence. Each circle or group is vital to the development of the Blamify Ideology and community. It is important to understand that an individual can exist in multiple circles of influence at once or move through the circles as they enter different phases of their own life.
As you read try to identify which circles of influence you are in now and which you would like to be in in the future.
1. The Ancestral Circle
The Ancestral Circle represents the foundational figures of the African diaspora who sacrificed and contributed to the advancement of Black people. These ancestors paved the way for today’s innovation and freedom. Examples include Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to free enslaved people. Frederick Douglass, whose intellect shaped the abolitionist movement. Mansa Musa, the King of Mali and still considered the wealthiest person to ever live. There are countless legends and leaders that have contributed to our reality. Who would you consider to be within the Ancestral Circle?
Role: To provide the historical and cultural context upon which Blamify is built. These are individuals who contributions have been documented in books, art, studies, or word of mouth.
2. The Scholarly Circle
The Scholarly Circle consists of Black and African Studies scholars who contribute research and ideas for us to consume. Figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, bell hooks, and Dr. Molefi Kete Asante fall within this circle. They build the academic foundation based on contributions from the Ancestral Circle that content creators will later adapt into games, books, or other mediums.
Role: To mine the lived experiences of the Ancestral Circle to create the research, literature, and frameworks that guide educational content.
3. The Creative Circle
The Creative Circle represents the writers, filmmakers, game designers, and others who transform Black history and scholarship into engaging and consumable formats. Think of figures like Octavia Butler, Ryan Coogler, and John Jennings, who use their platforms to creatively communicate Black history. As a board game designer and author this is where I sit.
Role: To create culturally or historically relevant content, products and experiences that can be consumed by the community.
4. The Facilitation Circle
The Facilitation Circle includes educators and community leaders who bring Blamify to life in their classrooms, churches, and communities. These educators aren’t the original scholars or creators in some cases but are instrumental in delivering the content.
Role: To guide learners through the material and provide an engaging learning environment.
5. The Engagement Circle
Lastly, the Engagement Circle refers to the students, families, and gamers who consume the content. These individuals are vital because they are the ultimate beneficiaries and active participants in the learning process.
Role: To engage with the material and apply the lessons to their personal and communal lives.
The Circles of Influence are all equally crucial to the growth of Blamify. From the ancestors whose stories shape the content, to the scholars and creators who develop it, to the educators and consumers who bring it to life, each group plays a vital role. Together, they ensure Blamify is more than a concept—it’s a thriving, evolving educational tool.