Kinfolk Tech Redefines Public Memory Through Immersive Tech

Technologist idris brewster is using augmented reality to democratize history and give voice to underrepresented communities.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:10pm

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idris brewster, a technologist, educator, artist, historian and social innovator, is using his organization Kinfolk Tech to create a new commemorative model for the digital era. Through immersive technology and community-centered design, Kinfolk is working to excavate hidden histories, amplify underrepresented voices, and make public spaces a canvas for truth, imagination and belonging.

Why it matters

The vast majority of public monuments in the US reflect a narrow, Eurocentric view of history, with less than 0.5% representing people of color. Kinfolk is stepping in to democratize the process of how we commemorate the past and envision the future, empowering communities to shape the narratives that are elevated in public spaces.

The details

Kinfolk uses augmented reality technology to bring forgotten histories to life in public spaces. For example, they created a 3D model of Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture and 'activated' it in New York's Columbus Circle, challenging the dominant narrative represented by the Columbus statue. Kinfolk's work is not about simply adding diverse voices to existing frameworks, but fundamentally reimagining how we engage with and preserve collective memory.

  • In 2021, idris brewster was recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 for his work with Kinfolk Tech.
  • Kinfolk is ramping up initiatives in 2026 to coincide with America's 250th anniversary, aiming to surface underrepresented histories and challenge the official framing of the country's founding.

The players

idris brewster

The creator of Kinfolk Tech and an Ashoka Fellow, idris brewster is a technologist, educator, artist, historian and social innovator working to democratize public memory.

Kinfolk Tech

An organization founded by idris brewster that uses immersive technology and community-centered design to create a new commemorative model for the digital era, elevating underrepresented histories and narratives.

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What they’re saying

“Monuments hold our shared values and understandings of the world, and while there are now movements to tear down monuments, there's still a lack of investment in the imaginative part of this work. What will emerge? What stories do we want to tell? Who will tell them? That's where Kinfolk comes in — we are putting time, energy and resources into the imaginative process and democratizing that imagination so folks who aren't artists or creatives can get involved.”

— idris brewster, Founder, Kinfolk Tech

“The technology allowed us to put the stories that we wanted to tell in public spaces and make them feel real — you're seeing the Circle, the real environment, but then this digital statue emerges, and it becomes a home for learning about the history of Toussaint Louverture.”

— idris brewster, Founder, Kinfolk Tech

What’s next

Kinfolk is focused on expanding its community-driven approach in 2026, the year of America's 250th anniversary, to surface underrepresented histories and challenge the official framing of the country's founding.

The takeaway

Kinfolk Tech is redefining what 'public memory' means in the digital age, using immersive technology to democratize the process of commemoration and empower communities to shape the narratives that are elevated in shared public spaces.