hats inside?
Front Cover Collage by: Winnie Okwakol Photos by: Jamaica Gilmer
Letter from the Editor Space Spies by Jocelyn Gilmore
Happy Birthday by Jade Clauden
The Lost Turtle by Israel Thompson Sibling Connection by Ahmadie Bowles Family by Kyla Clauden
Meet the Artists Queens by Aline Sitoe A. Sy What’s Your Style by Sydney Patterson
What is Precious to You? by Lacquen Tolbert In The Deep by Dana Tankard
Ms. Demi at the Shop by Zoey Bowles
Damola Akintunde by Avery Patterson New York on the Fourth of July by Tiffani Reaves
Beautiful Days: A Journey with Pen, Lens & Soul
Letterfrom the editoᄦ
Iremember being a little girl feeling free and joyful My life was simple but it was full of opportunities for me to participate in what was happening in my family and my community. As an 80’s baby, most of my days were spent outside playing, skating or riding my bike. My mama would release me to the adventures waiting for me outdoors between our spacious backyard and the block she marked from our mailbox to that of a neighbor a few houses down, as the parameters for how far I could go. Life was golden. While I was busy enjoying the liberty of making my own choices on how I would spend my time, I was unaware that my world was predetermined and ordered by clusters of interactions and experiences that oscillated between family, school and church. Within those containers, there was always something to do, some group to belong to, some objective to help create purpose for my involvement.
Back then, the adults in each of those settings worked so hard to set things up for me and my
peers so that we could engage with ease. At home, my mama created systems to foster independence and responsibility so that her latchkey daughters, my older sister and I, knew to let ourselves in, and nobody else, get a snack and get right to homework until she got home. At school, teachers prepared lesson plans and arranged group work in attempts to make learning mundane subjects interesting to middle school aged minds. At church, our youth leaders sat through Thursday night leadership team meetings and searched out opportunities for us to serve our community and build relationships with one another.
For the most part, the adults in my life cared about me and wanted me to win. They wanted to help me create memories and prepare me for future opportunities so they poured into me and pored over me to that end. Although their intentions were in favor of my development and happiness, rarely did they invite me into the process of creating my own good. In hindsight, I can see that they cared
for me but I can also see that they didn’t trust me. They didn’t trust that I was aware enough or capable of adding value to endeavors designed for me. Or, maybe it was simply just more convenient to do it for me.
Little girls love to play imaginative games. Some of my favorites were school, store and church. As I watch my daughters play their version of these same games and some new ones they’ve made up, I see one main thread between us all—in their imaginative play, they are in control. They are the ones making the decisions, running the show, directing the outcomes. In essence, I was, and they are, practicing what they see, what they believe adulthood to be--done their way, with their own unique flair. We live our lives in front of them daily, and they are a captive audience. As often as we can, we should provide opportunities to show our girls that they can take the lead and, in turn, they are worth us taking a seat as their enthusiastic audience, cheering them on as they lead the way.
For the life of The Beautiful Project, it has been our honor to work for and with Black girls. Our work features Black girls and is aimed at highlighting and centering their beauty, wisdom, complexity and joy. Throughout time, we have refined and extended our programming and positioned writing and photography as tools the girls can use to express themselves and share with the world their remarkable perspectives and visions. Unlike the well-meaning adults of our youth, we have been careful not to repeat the mistake of creating worlds and work for girls without creating space for those girls to speak about, think through and create for themselves, alongside us.
Over the past two years, we have invested ourselves and our time in training girls and then yielding to their interpretations and ideas about how to use these tools and skills. This edition of The Journal is dedicated to the dreams and visions of the little girls and their families who trusted us to train them in the activist work of image making. We lift up their bold and remarkable iterations of what can be created by Black girls when we take the time to equip them, put our confidence in them and give them the prerogative to create through exploring photography and writing. We have been enlightened, thrilled, challenged and stretched in pursuit of connecting girls to their own brilliance and prowess by showing them how to do a thing and then stepping back and allowing them to do. the. thing.
This Journal is a manifestation of minds and hearts of our young image makers. It is our intention to make space for our girls to quiet their inhibitions and distractions and connect with themselves in order to hear the whispers of their heart where stories are yearning to be told. Our dream is to see Black girls unencumbered, fiercely and courageously writing and documenting themselves into history.
We hope you enjoy,
Pamela Thompson
Pamela Thompson Co-Editor
by
Photo
Kaci Kennedy
Meet tȴe Artists
Ahmadie Bowles
AGE: 14
“I want my photography to impact the world by showing you can have a voice and be heard by using photography. You can show people how you see the world.”
AlineSitoe A.Sȸ
AGE: 10
“Through photography, I want to break every stereotype in the book. I also want to show we are Queens.”
Averȸ Patterson
AGE: 12
“As Black women and girls, we believe that everyone should be respected and loved no matter who they are.”
Dana Tankarᄓ
AGE: 8
“I love writing stories and journaling.”
Isra
el Thompsoᄤ
AGE: 8
“I enjoy writing. I enjoy it because it's like creating your own characters in your own way and it's just kind of being yourself, on your own. I hope to learn how to create really cool, fun characters for my stories because I don't want my stories to be boring.” Jade
AGE: 9
“I want girls all over the nation to know that they are special in their own individual way.”
Jocelyn Gilmore
AGE: 9
Kyla Claudeᄤ
AGE: 11
“The part I enjoy most about writing is writing things that don’t happen in reallife (fictional stories) and explaining my imagination in those stories.”
“I’m aiming for girls over the nation to realize that it’s ok to be different.”
Lacquen Tolbert
AGE: 10
“I would like to impact other Black girls with my photos by taking pictures of things that are precious to me and other Black girls.”
Sydney Patterson
AGE: 12
“I want my photography to let them know that Black girls can do anything. I want the whole world to know that they are strong and to have confidence.”
Tiffani Reaves
AGE: 13
I love writing and I enjoy it most because I can be creative with stories.
Zoey Bowles
AGE: 9
“My family, my friends and TBP make me feel important by taking care of me and listening because some people don’t listen.”
The Lost Turtle
By Israel Thompson
Chapter One
“Trouble with Lights”
One day something special happened. A turtle was born. Just like a miracle, in the quiet of the night, the turtle broke through its tough shell and tumbled onto the big, beautiful beach already busy with many forms of life. After some time adjusting to breathing outside its shell, stretching its little legs and figuring out how to use them, the little turtle, whose name was Carmen, walked across a letter that had been drawn in the sand. The letter said:
Dear Carmen, It’s your mother. Welcome to the world! Your dad, brothers and sisters and I am so happy you are here. We have been waiting for you for quite some time. We decided that after you were born, we’d all move to the next beach where my sister, her husband and your cousins have found a beautiful place for all of us to be together. But we have to move quickly! As soon as you read, follow this trail. But be warned, there are…
Just as Carmen was making her way through the letter, she noticed that the remainder of her mother’s words had been washed away by the ocean waves crashing upon the shore. Confused, Carmen stood still to think and try to figure out what to do. Suddenly, a strong gush of wind and a loud whooosh rushed past her once, twice, three times, spinning her around, making her dizzy with fear and panting to catch her breath. Things seemed to calm down just long enough for Carmen to glance upward to see what the commotion was all about. It was Dragoon, the vulture. He had been looking for a snack and Carmen was the perfect match. Dragoon screeched to his sidekick Pear, who really was a flying pear with a face on it, “We may not have caught her just now, but I will catch her and have her for dinner! Ha, ha, haaaa!”
As soon as Carmen recognized Dragoon, she took off running in the direction of the nearest light she could find. Up to now, all she knew was that she was at the beach. But what she was about to learn, is that she was headed into the city, Los Angeles to be exact.
After much running, climbing, and jumping, she had finally gotten to more light and very far away from the beach, even farther away from the path her mother told her to follow to find the rest of the family, who was waiting for her so that they could move to the next beach together. Carmen was tired. She found a safe place to rest and fell fast asleep. When she awoke, it was morning. Two eyes were staring straight at her. They were the eyes of a bulldog. The bulldog growled for a second then sniffed Carmen and said,
“Who are you? My name is Tracy.”
“My name is Carmen.”
“What are you doing here? Most turtles don’t hang out in the city. They prefer the beach,” Tracy asked curiously.
“Yes, I do prefer the beach. I’m looking for my family. I was running away from a crazy vulture who was trying to attack me. I’ve got to find my family before they leave this beach headed to the next one. Would you like to come with me?”
Carmen asked shyly.
“I love the beach! I go with my best friend every weekend. I’ll bark loudly so she’ll think I need to use the bathroom and let us out.”
Tracy barked and barked and jumped at the fence. Before long, a tall brown girl with thick, curly hair, ran out of the house and into the yard, smiling at Tracy, rubbing her ear as she called to her to come on out.
“I’ll go around the corner and wait for you. My friend won’t look for me right away so we’ll have some time to start on our way before she gets worried. Meet me just around that corner.” Tracy instructed.
“Got it!” Carmen said excitedly.
She was grateful to have a friend join her for this exploration. She had no idea what was ahead but she would soon see that she was much stronger and smarter than she ever imagined.
͇ȴat is Preciouȷ to you?
by :Lacquen Tolberᄨ
Gran-Gran:
WHAT IS PRECIOUS TO YOU?
“My ability to understand and have compassion for all people, God-inspired, love for my fellow man. Also, strength, and talents, grace and mercy.”
-Gran, Lacquen’s Grandmother
Lacquen:
WHAT IS PRECIOUS TO YOU?
“Things that are precious to me are my name, my sketchbook, my stuffed animals, my hair, and food.”
Lacquen
Tolbert
Damolᄒ Akintunde
AS A BLACK WOMAN, WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE FOR YOU?
While I was growing up, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what it meant to be a young Nigerian American woman in a world that was constantly trying to tell me who I should be. I felt this in the ways in which I was told how I should present my physical self or how my way of speaking determines how Black I am. It wasn’t until I got older that I was able to realize that I had ownership over who I am and I had the tools to share my narrative.
HOW DID THAT IMPACT WHO YOU ARE NOW?
My upbringing made me more sensitive to the fact that Black womanhood is multifaceted and therefore I don’t have to water myself down to fit into certain molds. I also make an effort to allow other women of color to use me as a tool to share their stories and show the diversity in our journeys.
AS A BLACK WOMAN, WHAT DO YOU WISH THE WORLD WAS LIKE?
I wish for a world that allows for all people to live in their truth and give space for healing.
WHO DO YOU LOVE?
I love myself and I love the people I keep close to my heart which include my family and friends.
by:jocelyn gilmore
Quin Getton woke up with a yawn.
“Come on, Quin!” his friend, Ashley yelled at him.
“Ashley, calm down. I have to get to the space station by 4:30.” Ashley pointed at the clock.
“Holy Moly. 4:00!?”
Quin raced around his small apartment to get pants, extra clothing, and lots of food. Finally, at 4:20, he was ready to go.
“It takes 15 minutes to get there, you know.”
Ashley opened the doors of her car so Quin could put his stuff in.
“I know. But I’m the one spending 6 months in space, not Mr. Vadam.”
He piled all of his stuff in and then joined Ashley in the front.
“I’ll miss you, a lot. So don’t get stuck up there.” She started the car and drove him to the space station. Mr. Vadam and Ashley’s dad, Burin, were standing at the front of the station. Quin got out and looked at the spaceship that he was about to get on.
“Quin, stop staring and get your stuff. We planned liftoff at 6:30. We gotta get you into that suit and pack up the ship.” Mr. Vadam snapped and hit Quin’s arm with his cane.
“Yes sir.” Quin grabbed his stuff and ran into the station. Ashley followed.
“Some crazy kiddos.” Burin watched as they took the elevator up.
“You’ve got to give them a break though, Vadam. They are just 20 years old, we’re lucky to even have Quin be working with us.” Burin turned to Vadam.
Vadam shook his head.
“Listen, Burin. If I were you, I would stop talking so I don’t start calling you a stupid-” He
stopped. “You are right. I have got to let them be free. Be themselves, not uptight all the time.” Vadam said. He and Burin got in the elevator and followed Quin and Ashley. Meanwhile, Quin had just piled all of his stuff in the ship.
“Hey, Ash?” He asked Ashley. “This mission is all to find out if there are other species in space, right?” Ashley nodded.
“What if I am the first 20-year old Albino man to ever do that?”
Ashley thought for a second. “That would be really cool, Quin. Really cool. And your best friend would be the Ashley,” she lowered her voice. “who went up to space too.”
Quin laughed. “I love you.” Quin hugged her.
“I love you too.” She hugged him back.
He kissed her on the cheek then ran to get his spacesuit on.
“Awwww. You guys are such a good couple.” Ashley turned to see Ms. Jessie and Mr. Greg, Quin’s parents.
“Hello, Ash. So good to see you.” Mr. Greg said. Ashley gave them both hugs then went off to find Quin.
“Nice seeing you!” She waved and disappeared into the changing room. “Quin?” She knocked on every stall. After finding out which stall he was in, Ashley waited for him to come out. “Umm, news came in,” she pointed to herself. “Jessie and Greg are-“ She gulped. “Here.”
Quin giggled. “Good one.” He kissed her.
“For a second I thought you were-“ He opened the door.
“Hi, Quin!” Jessie waved. Quin closed the door back.
“Fo reals.” Ashley crossed her arms as he fell to the floor.
Into space space spies
“Of course I was,” She bent her fingers like bunny ears. “Fo reals. Why would I play around about that? This is soooo serious.” She helped him up.
“I guess I’ve got to get to that ship, don’t I?” Quin frowned.
“Yep.” Ashley nodded sadly.
Quin nervously opened the door, expecting lipstick on his head from his mom, and a football in his face from his dad. But instead, he didn’t get anything. Greg and Jessie were on the second floor, eating breakfast. “Thank you, Lord.” Quin looked up. Ashley looked around the floor to see. No one.
“Yesss!” She did a dance.
Mr. Vadam stomped up the stairs to check on them. “Good job, Quin. Ashley, you know the air pipes and emergency buttons. Make sure they’re all on the right way, would you?” Vadam asked her.
Her jaw dropped. “Yes s-sir.” She nodded. He grinned at them and went back downstairs. They exchanged glances.
“What in the world just happened? Since when is Mr. Vadam nice?” Quin asked as Ashley patted his leg.
“I dunno. Anyway, the pipes and buttons look good. She pulled out her phone and looked at the time. “It’s 6:00. Thirty minutes till I don’t see you for half of a year.” Quin looked at her as a tear strolled down her cheek.
“Oh, Ash. It’ll be okay.” He hugged her.
“But what if you don’t come back?” She started to cry.
“I will.” Quin stroked her bouncy red and black hair. “I promise.” He handed her a tissue. She blew her nose.
“Quin!” Greg ran up the stairs.
“Dad!” Quin yelled at him. Greg then spotted Ashley crying.
“Oops.” He tip-toed down the stairs. Ashley and Quin giggled.
“Okay. You will be okay.” She said. She gave him a device.
“What is this?” Quin examined it.
“It’s a phone. A space-proof phone. It’s for emergencies or if you just need someone to talk to. To call, you press the name, then that green button. To hang up, you press the red button and to leave a voicemail, press the blue button.” Quin spotted three buttons at the bottom and nodded.
“Alright people!” Mr. Vadam appeared at the stairway. “Liftoff in 5 minutes.” Jessie and Greg appeared after Vadam.
“Quin, Quin. You’re going into space. Your dream is coming true in 5 minutes.” Jessie held his face in her hands.
Greg stepped in front of Jessie. “My little astronaut. I’ll miss you, but we’ve still got little Carrie.” Greg laughed. Quin sighed and rolled his eyes. “We will definitely miss you.” Greg gave Quin a fist pump.
“Adios, Quin. I wish you luck.” Mr. Burin patted him on the back.
“Goodbye, Quin.” Mr. Vadam gripped Quin’s shoulder.
Quin then turned to Ashley. “I hope these months zoom by.” Quin kissed her on her cheek.
“I really hope so too.” Ashley started to cry again.
“Get in there, Quin. 2 minutes to liftoff. Burin, go check the calculations to liftoff. Everyone else, behind that bar,” Mr. Vadam demanded. Everyone backed up, behind the bar and watched as the spaceship lifted off.
“Bye, Quin.” Ashley whispered. Inside the ship, Quin waited until Darrington, Alabama, was a tiny dot on the Earth.
“By Ash,” Quin whispered.
Editors note: “Into Space” is an excerpt of chapter one of Jocelyn’s science fiction story, Space Spies.
by: AlineSitoe A. Sy Queenȷ
A PORTRAIT SERIES TO BREAK DOWN STEREOTYPES ABOUT BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS
When people say “powerful black woman” the first person who comes to mind is my mom. She stands up for what is right whether people like it or not. It’s important to appreciate people like my mom because they help with family and community more than you know by always standing up for what’s right. She’s the best mom EVER!
I photographed myself because I am named after AlineSitoe Diatta, an African Revolutionary who was strong and powerful. I wanted to capture myself as a young lady who is strong and beautiful. I want people to know that BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL no matter how dark or light the skin.
I think Ms. Jamaica is beautiful and kind spirited. She genuinely cares for everyone. I feel that she is perfect for this project because she embodies how people SHOULD see beautiful black women.
AlineSitoe
Siblinሴ Connectioᄤ
by: Ahmadie Bowleȷ
Oliviᄒ
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR SIBLING?
She’s an honest kind-hearted person.
DO YOU TRUST HER?
Yes because she is trustworthy. She’s not a gossip type person.
Brooke
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR SIBLING?
I think she’s an amazing friend and person. She’s also very funny and caring
DOES SHE MAKE YOU BETTER SOMEHOW?
She does make me better. She’s someone I can talk to and rant to, which helps me in the long run. She’s also a good role model and a close friend that gives me great advice.
Kaᄗ | AGE 3
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR SIBLING?
I feel happy about him. I feel good about Maxy.
DO YOU TRUST THEM?
I trust Maxy. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.
DO THEY MAKE YOU BETTER SOMEHOW?
Yes, I like him when he’s nice to me and that makes me nicer too.
Max | AGE 6
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR SIBLING?
I feel good about him. I feel love, grateful, hopeful…that’s all.
DO YOU TRUST THEM?
Yes because he’s my best friend. I like him DO THEY MAKE YOU BETTER SOMEHOW?
Yeah, because he’s my best best best best friend.
Ahamdie Bowles
by: Dana Tankarᄔ
The ocean is very nice and beautiful, But in the deep there is a wishing fish, Wishing that you’ll never know What’s in the deep.
In the deep, there are lots of shiny, bright fish. I wish I was looking in the deep.
New York on the Fourth of July by: Tiffani Reaves
“Hey, can you get the hot dog buns from the kitchen, Eddie?”
“Sure, Louise, my darling,” Eddie cooed romantically.
“Well isn’t he just a handsome man?” Louise’s mama asked
“Oh yes, Mamma, he definitely is.”
“Well umm, when is your wedding because I have never seen you this happy with a man before.” Mamma said.
“Ummmm….Mamma!?”
“Yes, darling?”
“He hasn’t proposed to me yet.”
“Oh. Ok.” Mamma walked away, crying in fear.
When you hear about New York from people like your friends, family or
maybe even your daughter’s babysitter, they may say any number of things like,
…New York City is a very astonishing place.
…There are so many wonderful places to visit like Madison Square Garden, Times Square and the Yankee Stadium.
…The food is delicious! You can literally find every cuisine there is! From the NY style pizza, with its large crust and ooey gooey cheese…
I have lived in New York for most of my life and I know both the city and the country. I am originally from Waco, Texas. We moved to New York when I was 10 years old. We decided to move from Waco because my dad died on my birthday a couple years before. The old house reminded us too much of him so we just left everything and started a new life together. Just us, mother and daughter.
Ha Birtȴdppyaȸ
by: Jade Claudeᄤ
Jade Clauden
Wȴat’s ȸour ȷtyle?
by: Sydney Pattersoᄤ
Leilanᄘ
HOW DO YOUR CLOTHES REPRESENT YOU?
I wear clothing that represents my interests, like bands or movie T-shirts. I wear a lot of comfortable clothing so I'm not limited by what I wear. Some of my clothing is inspired by the people I see on TV.
HOW DO YOU THINK OTHER PEOPLE’S CLOTHES REPRESENT THEM?
If you see someone who looks like they put a lot of effort into their outfit that shows that they possibly care about themselves and their appearance. If you see someone wearing a shirt with a band that you like, that can spark a conversation. You could make a friend.
Sydney Patterson
Familȸ
by: Kyla Claudeᄤ
Kyla Clauden
Mȷ. Demi at the ȷȴop
by: Zoeȸ Bowleȷ
Zoey
Bowles
Beautifuᄙ Days:
A JOURNEY WITH PEN, LENS & SOUL
It has been our honor to facilitate experiences over the years centering Black girls as they learn and explore photography, writing and self care in their journey of self discovery and self definition. In reflection of this moment, we took some time to capture vignettes from Pamela Thompson, Jamaica Gilmer, and Erin Stephens on the privilege and joy of learning and sharing with the girls in our programs.
The work that the young artists created in this Journal has been featured in the Pen, Lens & Soul: The Story of The Beautiful Project exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from December 2019 through February 2020.
Peᄤ
At the start of each session, I would pose this question to the girls to ignite a wildfire in the kindling of their bodacious minds,
“Now that the pen is in YOUR hands, what story will you tell?”
Upon first hearing this, their sweet, brown eyes would cautiously roam the room, looking for permission, some small sign, that it was safe to be audacious. It’s as if they were thinking, “Can I really write whatever I want to write?” Second to that came the thoughts every writer has at some point in their journey, “What do I want to write and how will I command the words to coalesce and concede to the thoughts that are in my head and heart?” And there, within their quiet insecurities, was the basis of my work: prepare the material and provide the presence that would together serve as the windflow, reminding these girls that they are combustible and their firelight and brilliant imaginations can illuminate the whole world.
One of the most quoted statements from the poignant, unmatched Toni Morrison, says something to the effect of, if there is a story you want to read that doesn't exist yet, then you must write it. This quote has become an adage beloved by her audiences, especially the artists, because its resonance is steeped in disrupting our need for corroboration. We want to know that the art we hope to create will be "good enough" and that it will be accepted. Auntie Toni invites us to forsake the pursuit of permission, abandon the aspiration of being pleasing and, instead, grant ourselves the authority to make the art we want to indulge, allowing our own appeasement to be our guide.
TO THAT, I SAY, TOUCHE! PROLIFERATE, LITTLE SISTAS! START WHERE AND HOWEVER YOU CAN, BUT START WRITING NOW. YOU HOLD WITHIN YOURSELF WORLDS OF WONDER AND SCHOLARSHIP, CROWNED WITH THE REMARKABLE MULTI-DIMENSIONS OF BLACK GIRLHOOD. THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU AND YET YOUR EXPERIENCES, TOLD IN YOUR VOICE, CAN HELP US FEEL SEEN AND KNOWN IN WAYS WE HAD LONG SURRENDERED.
Pamela Thompson
LWhen I became an adult I found a quote by Gordon Parks, “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs."
I wanted the girls I get to work with in TBP to discover the camera as their sword or as a conduit for them to say what they want to say to the world.
I just wanted them to feel a glimpse of their dream coming true even if they didn't know it would happen, and to feel that imbedded in an experience of sisterhood with other Black girls of different ages, different heights, different interests, different hair who are all willing to love and partner and show up for each other.
There are a couple stand out moments from my time with the girls. First, I loved being with the girls, teaching photography, going back and forth on aperture and shutter speed, and then stopping to play. Every time we did hula hoops and jump ropes and competitions and freeze tag, it just
Erin pushed us to make sure to ask the girls about their experience. We learned how the girls felt what we hoped. They had a place where they belonged and a community they knew who believed in them. Also hearing back from the parents that they can see things that we didn't know that they could see. We also learned how much the parents appreciated that we already saw where the girls had both talent and skill as photographers. We weren't interested in trying to own and erase their wonder. It was lovely to discover where the girls are talented and had deep level of skill. One of the parents said that's not typical for their children's experience. Usually, people do not value their girls as brilliant authorities in their own right.
MY MESSAGE TO BLACK GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN EVERYWHERE: I DON'T WANT YOU TO AIM FOR PERFECTION. I WANT YOU TO AIM FOR FANTASTIC. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LIST OUT WHAT FANTASTIC MEANS FOR YOU. SO THINK WITH ME FOR A MOMENT, AND IMAGINE THE LAST THING THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS FANTASTIC. REMEMBER THE LAST TIME YOU FELT FANTASTIC. WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE, AIM FOR THAT FEELING. AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL.
Souᄠ
As a collective of Black women and girls image-makers, our interests are in how we can make use of photography, writing and other artistic tools, as a mechanism for cultivating our power and voice in ways that can disrupt cultural narratives and institutions that normalize and advance our unjust treatment. My vision for the girls was mostly informed by what our team had observed during time spent with the girls. The team named specific matters that were coming up for this cohort such as body autonomy. Upon hearing the differing degrees at which the girls were beginning to confront this, the goal was then to create a space to help them learn more about what our values are, and then to build a relational foundation and discover how to support them in cultivating their own voice and power on issues that concern them. Toward this end, we explored a set of questions with our girls:
What does power look like in our lives?
What does it mean for Black girls to hold power? How can Black girls disrupt power dynamics that negatively impact them?
We designed a series of workshops for girls meant to cultivate resiliency and aid in the growth of their voice and power to be able to speak to various issues that affect us.
School pushout is one of the topics we explored. Scholars like Kimberly Crenshaw, Monique W. Morris, Connie Wun and LeConté Dill have pointed to the myriad ways that Black girls are challenged to navigate educational spaces with stereotypes, bias, criminalization and institutionalized injustice. Too often interpreted as hostile, uncaring, arrogant and disruptive, the racialized and gendered dimensions of school pushout result in Black girls disproportionately experiencing punitive discipline measures like suspension and expulsion. It was cool doing this activity with them because I enjoyed hearing their perspective and seeing how they illustrated what they observed about their lives. Though I wasn’t surprised by their responses, it was interesting to find out what their observations were and what some girls saw and what some didn’t.
I ENCOURAGE GIRLS TO TAKE OPPORTUNITIES TO USE YOUR VOICES AND EXPLORE YOUR OWN POWER TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE WORLD AROUND YOU. WHATEVER YOU DESIRE YOUR CRAFT TO BE — WRITING, SPEAKING, ART, ADVOCACY, ANYTHING! — TAKE THE TIME TO PRACTICE AND PUT IT TO USE. EVEN WHEN IT’S SCARY, TAKE RISKS AND BELIEVE YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. WHEN POSSIBLE, PURSUE YOUR CRAFT IN COMMUNITY WITH TRUSTED OTHERS SO THEIR SUPPORT AND FEEDBACK CAN STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU GROW.
Erin Stephens
Resourceȷ foᄥ PɁactice
WE COLLECTED A FEW RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE ANCHORED OUR EXPERIENCES WITH THE YOUNG IMAGE MAKERS AND STORYTELLERS AT THE BEAUTIFUL PROJECT. IN THIS CRITICAL
Resources for tȴe Souᄠ
We use six values as a means of checking in with ourselves and each other. We invite you to review our set of values and to think about how these values are showing up in your life. Ask yourself questions about the values, like — do I feel good about family in my life? Is balance hard for me right now? Appreciate where you find yourself in sync with the values; where you find disconnection or difficulty. Think about how you can strengthen those values in your life. Maybe you need to switch up the way you’re doing something
MOMENT WHERE WE ARE ALL STAYING SAFE AT HOME, HERE ARE SOME ITEMS FROM OUR TOOLKIT THAT MAY HELP OPEN UP YOUR IMAGINATION, HONE SKILLS, AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO CREATE.
or come up with some solutions with someone you trust. Reflecting on our values helps us live with purpose and find peace in our lives. Whether it is these values or completely different ones, we encourage you to practice checking in with yourself and what is important to you.
VALUE: A PERSON’S PRINCIPLES OR STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR; ONE'S JUDGEMENT OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE.
Familȸ
These are my people; the ones who give me my foundation and teach me how to relate to the world around me. Here, I am connected. I am supported. I am challenged. I am cared for. I am seen. I am heard. I am loved. From this position, I can face the world and confront what it presents.
Ambitioᄤ
I can do anything. I believe that all is feasible for me. I dream big, wild dreams, allowing my imagination to run free. And I strive, work, and do everything in my power to make room for myself to explore, dream some more, and soar.
Balance
My life is full of beauty, challenges, goals, responsibilities, and opportunities. I try very hard to keep an open mind about what is in front of me and learn from what is behind me. I show myself kindness and respect for my capacity and greet each new day as it comes.
CultuɁe
I will explore each facet of life and all that is going on in the world in order to understand what is happening here, how I belong here, and what portion of my brilliance I desire to contribute to it all.
Spiritualitȸ
I respect the presence of a belief system as a function to keep one steady, inform morals, and guide one in how to relate to and care for others.
Wellness
I require care and I understand that I must be the main participant in the care of my mind, body, and soul. Each day, when I open my eyes, I will try very hard to be kind to myself, be patient with myself, challenge myself, and, ultimately, offer myself so much tenderness, joy, and love.
Resources for tȴe Lenȷ
FOR BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS, WE HAVE SIMPLE GRAPHICS ON HOW TO USE A DSLR CAMERA AND HOW TO USE APERTURE, SHUTTER SPEED AND FILM SPEED TO CAPTURE AN IMAGE. IN OUR VERY OWN WORKSHOPS, WE’VE USED THESE INFOGRAPHICS AS TECH CARDS TO TEACH OUR GIRLS THE MECHANICS OF A CAMERA AND HOW TO USE IT ON MANUAL SETTINGS. WE USE THESE FANTASTIC GRAPHICS ON HOW A DIGITAL CAMERA WORKS FROM CUBA GALLERY.
ISO
Is the Sun on?
It’s like a light switch turn down in bright light - up in low light *Tripod lets you use a low iso in low light
APERTURE
What do you want in focus?
How fast do I want to snap this picture? / SS / / F-STOP /
SMALL F STOP = Fuzzy background ex: f1.8
BIG F STOP = More in focus background ex. f11
SHUTTER SPEED
SLOWLY because I want to let in as much light as possible
FAST because I already have enough light
This infographic shows the basic workings of a standard digital SLR camera. The Diagrams have been simplified to highlight only the key functionality
The Mirror and shutter lift to allow light into the sensor
MIRROR
APERTURE
The aperture is an adjustable hole int eh lens which lets light into the camera. It can be adjusted to vary the amount of light on the camera sensor. A large aperture lets more light in, and small aperture reduces the amount of light.
Let more light into the camera. Lets less light into the camera.
SHUTTER SPEED
Shutter speed is the length of time the shutter is open allowing light on the camera sensor. This sometimes called exposure time. A faster shutter speed will freeze action (1/250sec), a show shutter will allow action to blur (1/15 sec).
Let more light into the camera. Lets less light into the camera.
ISO is the level of sensitivity of you camera has to available light. Shooting with a low ISO will give you a high quality image with fine grain, to do this you'll also need losts of light. Using a higher ISO means can take photos in low-light conditions, the trade-off is it will have more grain or "noise".
Resources for the Peᄤ
THE WRITERS IN TBP USE DESIGN THINKING ELEMENTS CULTIVATED FOR BLACK GIRLS AND WOMEN WRITING ABOUT OURSELVES AND OTHER BLACK GIRLS AND WOMEN. BELOW ARE SOME TIPS YOU CAN USE WHEN SETTING OFF TO PURSUE YOUR OWN WRITING ADVENTURES.
EMPATHIZE:
This is the word we use to encourage ourselves to self-explore, self-define and consider ourselves a worthy source. In other words, start with you! Be bold in writing about yourself, your experiences, what you like, what you think and whatever else your imagination gives you. Accept yourself as someone you can trust to offer good things to write about.
DEFINE:
When writing, we believe that curiosity is key. Ask questions and then ask follow up questions and then ask more questions. Allow this curiosity and questioning to lead you in discovering what it is you want to know and write about.
IDEATE:
When we say “ideate” we mean gather with a small (or large-ish, whatever works best for your personality) collective of writers to share space and time, cultivate vulnerability, read, and learn together. You can organize this on your own with girls at school or in your community. Also, be on the lookout for opportunities to gather with groups of writers at The Beautiful Project!
EXPERIMENT:
This one is our favorite and one is that best understood with just one sentence: Instead of thinking about what to write, write in order to think. So, break out your pen or pencil and write! You can do this in your journal or on a computer. Don’t wait for the words to come to you. They are already there, inside of your brilliant mind. Sit down and write until you recognize the words of your heart and mind, on the page.
Editors Note: Design thinking is a process for creating problem solving that is people-centered. There are plenty of resources about the process of design thinking.
I believe in you.
Thank-you for believing in me. Togetȴer we will cȴange tȴe world, one day at a time.
