Category: Black History Month

By Helese Smauldon My name is Helese and I’m multi-passionate writer, performer and student currently in Brooklyn, NY. I vulnerably share about love, life, work and living with ADHD in various formats. Tap in to my work at https://about.me/helese.   ﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋ (Yeah, I know, there’s no “Y” in Happiness.) But there is a “Why.” Like, “Why Read More

By Laylah Muhammad El   In this assortment of works Laylah explores the Black Identity through soft visuals with a lot of soul. She is an artist from the East Coast who specializes in digital arts and media. As a Black Muslim, she finds it imperative to depict diverse people within her art. You can Read More

By Colton Jonna Manley   I am without my body, but a soul.  How could they ever know,  The fate that lays beneath my skin. It leaves me ill, trapped with its intent.  For I know the plans they make for me,  But I have created my own reality.  A soul grown to a sun, Read More

By Monea Bailey   At a young age, I would express my artistic freedom through varying outlets. Maturing my craft allows me to see how my gifts can be used to make room for the freedom of others. Through the stroke of a brush and the power of my lens, I aim to help my Read More

By Alexandra Smith                        – after Gwendolyn Brooks                    We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.   sunday morning sun shines through the open window to warm the tile, we bump hips and your Read More

By John Broadway     A couple of months ago, a colleague of mine was about to present her life story. But first, she stopped to thank and acknowledge her ancestors.  When she did this, something in me snapped. Emotions flared, and I instantly teared up. That moment was a reminder that I’ve felt a Read More

An identity. A culture. A history. A community.  The Black diaspora is thriving and diverse in many ways, and the language that we use should reflect that. Language matters.  For decades, activists have pushed for the recognition of humanity in Black people and their experiences. A seemingly “easy” first step would simply be to capitalize Read More

By Destiny Harris   Above cultivated humid soil, I ascend soaking in optimism. Underneath this soil, beads of courage are knotted into all of my fibrous roots. Through these roots, I am able to form a thick heart in this hollow trunk. From this trunk, hunger for self-control dangles in my mind like these scaly Read More

By Lillian Holden “Now, don’t forget to pour out the smoked turkey juice from the pot, and don’t use the turkey broth for your green. It messes up the flavor,” exclaimed my well-wishing mother over the cell phone. It had been two years since moving from underneath my parents’ roof, and after longing for a Read More

By Gary Williams Oftentimes during Black History Month, we tend to think of large looming figures in history. This year, I have been really reflecting on people closer to home, specifically history within my own family. The reason I have gotten into gardening is because of my grandmother, Marian Young. My grandmother came at gardening Read More