Check out this rolling list of artists, musicians, and nonprofits that are currently serving as inspiration.

“The name Wa Na Wari translates into "our home" in the kalabari language from Nigeria. The "our" can be interpreted as referring to the Black collective that Wa Na Wari creates space for through art, historic preservation, and connection. Although the Central District has been historically redlined, the 5th-generation Black owned home Wa Na Wari is situated in is still standing and very much still Black. Thank you for keeping the spirit of the Central District alive!”

From Samantha Kelly, Executive Director

“I first became aware of photographer Dawoud Bey back in 2012 when I worked at the Birmingham Museum of Art and we partnered with him on The Birmingham Project. Dawoud brought a profound vision to humanize the six African American children who were murdered on September 15, 1963 in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and rallies afterward. He used his photographic eye to highlight the dignity, pride, and elevated purpose of each of the subjects. This powerful project changed the individuals who participated and gave the community a new vehicle toward communication and healing.”

Nourish Event - Sunday, Feb 21

Super pumped about this Black Her Stories event on Sunday! And excited to shine a light on a phenomenal change maker in our community, Michaela Ayers founder of Nourish, an anti-racist cooperative that supports mission-driven companies and communities committed to social inclusion. Michaela and the Nourish team are transforming our community one conversation at a time.
#blackherstories #blackherstory #blackhistorymonth

FB Page includes post about the event with link to register: https://www.facebook.com/nourishingcommunity/?mc_cid=8ce521730d&mc_eid=7070ec608d

From Ashley Marshall, Admin and Database Assistant

"I first started following Amara back in 2018 when I moved to Korea. She was an inspiration for me because she's a black woman living in Tokyo, Japan (at the time) and making a living doing what she loves. Now she's transformed into a sort of ambassador and aims to dismantle stereotypes and blur the racial lines by exposing complex identities and cultures around the world." @amaraworldwide

Nwosu is also the founder of Melanin Unscripted: Website, IG

From Chris Fitzgerald, Education/Communication Specialist:

“I am really inspired by Afrofuturism and it regularly blows my mind. It is all at once hopeful and dystopian, and stretches across a number of genres from comic books to sculpture to photography. This blog is a quick intro to six Afrofuturist artist working today.

This helmet sculpture is by EMO DE MEDEIROS, from Benin.

From Benji Anderson, Community Engagement Coordinator:

“Jazz Brown is a really talented artist who is extremely intentional about the details and placement in each work. His use of color, lines and shapes always draws me in and causes me to stop mid scroll. I especially like how he keeps his older work on his feed which allows you to view his progress over time.” @beingjazzbrown

“Malcolm is a local Seattleite who is deeply rooted in the community. His canvases vary from traditional to building walls and more recently upcycled clothing. His work always gives me a sense of connectedness to the ancestors and the many tribal communities on the Continent.” @wolfdelux

From Ashley Marshall, Admin and Database Assistant

"The stage is my studio and so are the streets". Mel D. Cole is an NYC based self taught photographer. Most known for his concert photography however, when George Floyd was killed he dedicated his time to documenting the events that followed."

From Chris Fitzgerald, Education/Communication Specialist:

Ayana V. Jackson describes her series, TAKE ME TO THE WATER, as images that ...'imagine an Afrofuturist undersea utopia populated by the children of pregnant slaves thrown overboard during the Middle Passage.' This series incorporates incredible sculpture and design to create a confrontational photos that feel like an act of confident defiance. See the series here.

“Kimisha is an amazing multi-media artist. She's responsible for the Black Lives Matter mural at the SAM, as well as the "B" in the BLM mural in Capitol Hill. She's curating 3 shows at Vermillion, the first of which, Debt to the Queen, is on display now. All 3 shows are celebrating Black life in a variety of ways. And, she's my cousin.” @kimishaturner

“Super pumped about this Black Her Stories event on Sunday! And excited to shine a light on a phenomenal change maker in our community, Michaela Ayers founder of Nourish, an anti-racist cooperative that supports mission-driven companies and communities committed to social inclusion. Michaela and the Nourish team are transforming our community one conversation at a time.” - Samantha Kelly
Register here

#blackherstories #black herstory #blackhistorymonth

Samantha recommends:

“What do you get when photography, social media, and education come together? An incredible opportunity to shine a light on the historic contributions of African Americans and to fill the gaps in the history that American children have been taught for generations. Our friends at NAAM host author Rochelle Riley in conversation about the book ‘That They Lived: African Americans Who Changed the World.’”

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