I Be Black Girl Digital Community Zine 2024

To Be a black woman, femme or girl…

A C O L L E C T I O N O F A R T F O R “ U S ” B Y “ U S ”

To be a black woman, femme, or girl today is understanding that the mold that you are currently in is the one that society has formed in order for you to survive…. to know that the cracking we feel. The one that feels manic like we are on the cusp of a nervous breakdown is sometimes a breakthrough. It’s our soul… the very essence of who we are desperately trying to break free to be who WE need to be for ourselves. One not defined by our parents, our partners, our children, society or our traumas… we have outgrown the mold! Sometimes breaking is beautiful and gives us the space to rebuild ourselves..mold ourselves, free ourselves. Sometimes breaking is not broken.

Marquetta Atkins-Woods

Reach Zenith

Achieve the highest levels of potential

Live across all possible universes

Be multidimensional

Be lover of differentials

Be Sweetness of Earth

Paula Bell

Dr. Angela Felton-Coleman

As a healthcare provider, I often feel that I am looked at as “the face of the race,” especially when I'm the only Black person in those spaces. I'm often tasked with deescalating situations between coworkers and Black patients or family members. I have also had to make corrections when comments, micro-aggressions, really, find their way into the workspace. It's a really fine line to walk; trying not to come off as the stereotypical angry Black woman while still firmly making those muchneeded corrections.

MajieAhna Winfrey

My happiness defined as my hair

Sometimes slicked and straight

Sometimes curly and big

But always labeled as untamed my hair

Not like a lion uncaged

More like an art form that is based in rage

Raged because the titles it’s been named

A feeling that is most put me to shame

Seeing that my hair can only be seen

As professional and clean when it is deemed

To fit beauty standards that were not made to fit me

Although it’s not like me to scream

I seethe at the mockery you have made of me

Using my hair styles as a way to be unique

But when I tell you not to

I am simply not to speak

Yet, I still defined my hair as my happiness

Because it’s worth fighting for to me

We become survivors without ever being acknowledged as a victim.

Sam Carwyn

Still

As I lay awake

It was myself, I had begun to hate

My open wounds, rotten

From the same mistakes

I tried but I can't escape

I carved my heart

From its chosen place

Here, I lay

Love, you took my breath away Naz

In the heart of adversity, she rises, adorned in black girl magic's glow,

A symphony of resilience, her spirit's gentle flow. From the depths of trauma, she finds her strength anew, Shattering chains of anguish, embracing skies of blue.

Her journey a testament to the power within, Healing wounds unseen, a battle she will win. With each step forward, she alters destiny's course, Transforming pain to purpose with unwavering force.

In her veins, the echoes of ancestors' dreams, Their whispers of courage, igniting fiery beams. Unapologetically raw, she bares her scars with grace, A tapestry of beauty, in every curve and every trace.

She's the architect of change, rewriting the family tale, Her presence, a beacon, her resilience, the sail. Black girl magic, an alchemy of love and light, Guiding her through darkness, into the boundless night.

Elisha Suttles

If black didn't exist

In the void where black fades to naught, What tale would emerge, what battles were fought?

A young black woman, with battles to fight.

afraid for what comes when days turn to night,

Through trials and tribulations, I've held on,

Through the flames of adversity, I've been defined,

The woman I am, unyielding and bold,

With each trial conquered, each story untold,

To be a black woman is to rise,

Through All the pain you’ve survived,

Painful cries, and dangerous lies,

If black didn't exist, who would I be?

A warrior forged in the fire's decree?

Through every battle, every tear that I've shed, I've emerged victorious, unbroken, undead,

Now I stand, a testament to my past,

A young black woman, whose purpose is to last,

Feeling the life in every breath that I take,

But If black didn't exist, I'd still find a way.

Oh, the color red

Yep, that's what I said Bright and bold like me

Standing out for the world to see

The color of love

Like a message from above.

I asked Allah, “Why did I develop cancer that was so severe and rare?” He responded, “ Why not you my child? You have a voice to tell of how I delivered you in your darkest hour. You have the power to bring my lost children home. You are strong and people hear you. Do my work my child.”

There are always two ways to look at your situation. Choose the one that brings you peace.

Monique Henry

To be a Black woman, femme, or girl today is to be a reflection a shadow of those walking the path with you and to become one in the face of darkness to look in the mirror and realize that to merely exist is a testimony is a celebration of a Motherland awakened and strength released and to finally prioritize rest and healing it is to be enough for yourself and to listen as the world learns to say, “Thank You!”

To be a Black woman, today: I must see with the eyes of Maya Rap with the rawness of Nikki And be for real, like historian Zora Neal.

To be a Black woman, today; I must possess the perseverance of Viola The strength of Harriet And, be able to “move on up,” like Weezy.

To be a Black woman today, I must sing my song like Aretha And scream for a little respect.

I must repeat my words, “My Black is beautiful” in the tone Of Nina Simone, ten thousand times a day!

To be a Black woman, today, I must be fire like Alicia And burn up centuries of insecurities and stereotypes And -- chase my dreams like Jennifer!

To be a Black woman, today I must rest my soul And rise up, again like Andra Day

To be a Black woman, today is a triumphant testament A show stopping extravaganza And, a daily trip into the mind-fields of life

To be a black woman, today means that I am Standing on the shoulders of all the Supreme Black Ladies Who forged a path, a template, and a View!

To be a Black woman today is .... just is... in Tina’s words “Simply the Best!”

By: A Fierce Black Woman, Diane Wells Rivers

The first TIME we travelled without daylight, the heart was heavy and RAW. The second TIME we prayed before the flight, the home was empty, there was WAR. The third TIME we discovered new sights, the hand was clenched, fearing a TRAP . The fourth TIME we kept our insights, the head was wrapped, revered only in PART. The fifth TIME we felt the slight, the belly was full, less distractions, VOICES RANT ON. The sixth TIME we bore the weight, the nobody starting yet another CONVERSATION. The seventh TIME we took the searchlight, the children staring, deadweight, SILENT

The eighth TIME we held our backs upright, the adult remembering, ancestors LISTEN. The nineth TIME we stopped a fistfight, the intention was protect "the eYES" to preserve our beautiful faces.

The tenth TIME we shared our collective genius, trusting "THEY SEE" ... what we continue to EMIT over TIME.

NOW: Normalising Ordinary Wisdom

Heritages include: Tanzania and South Sudan. Histories include: landscapes, lineages, languages

PS: Ubuntu POET, SOUL Consultant Www.YolandaSokiri.com.

Yolanda Sokiri

Strength and Grace: A Tribute to Black WomanhooD "

In the depths of my soul, I carry a flame, Love for my people, igniting my name. Through trials and triumphs, I stand tall, Being strong for my family, answering the call.

In life's fragile moments, I find my grace, Navigating the challenges with steady pace. Yet, in my heart, a desire burns bright, To uplift and inspire, with all my might.

I yearn for a world where peace resides, Where love through God forever abides. With each step I take, I strive to impart, A vision of harmony, straight from the heart.

So, let me be a beacon, shining above, A testament to the power of love.

For as a black woman, I proudly proclaim, My mission: to spread peace in His name.

I AM BLACK AND I AM PROUD!!!

He is the great I AM I am black, but if I am proud to be Latina, Jewish, Scottish, Spanish, French Creole, and (of both America, Mexico, Russia, and Africa) an indigenous too Somehow I AM not confused? If I choose to be PROUD to be who I am just like you That makes me have to choose a life other than BLACK Black LOVE in the diaspora unites us all

" AHT AHT " they question my worth so I serve it on a gold platter of " the audacity " top it with a huge helping of " I wish you would " and cover it in the savory gravy of " you betta ask somebody " who I AM?!