What if an African child in 1756 had Instagram when he was enslaved? DuSable Museum brings Olaudah Equiano's story to life

What if an African child in 1756 had Instagram when he was enslaved? “Equiano.Stories” gives a modern voice to an 18th century memoir. Stelo Stories, in collaboration with the DuSable Museum of African American History, the nation’s oldest independent Black history museum, announces the premiere of “Equiano.Stories” exclusively on @Equiano.Stories on Feb. 16. (Watch the trailer here.)

Set to premiere Feb. 16 exclusively to followers of @Equiano.Stories on Instagram, the feature film brings to life the memoir of Olaudah Equiano, who was kidnapped and enslaved as a young boy in West Africa in 1756. He went on to become an influential figure in history -- after buying his freedom at about 20 years old, Equiano moved to London and later published his bestselling memoir in 1789. The firsthand account was critical in stopping the trading of enslaved people by England, the world's biggest exporter of enslaved Africans at the time, and remains one of the era's only first-hand accounts of life in Africa written by an African author.

DuSable also contributed deeper educational content to the film and has created a museum exhibit that takes visitors into Equiano's village to experience the culture of West Africa, featuring pieces from its own permanent African collection previously unseen by the public. (www.dusablemuseum.org )