A celebration of the global black community
One of my goals in life has been to extract as much goodness I can from the endless beautiful cultures around the world. As a white female, African music and culture have personally played a significant role in my life, and I want to show up and share my love and support. After watching the mesmerizing film “Black Is King” (now airing on Disney+), I couldn’t get my eyes off the beautiful and almost tangible colours of the African culture. The film is inspired by the classic “The Lion King” and combines rhythmic beats of R&B, hip-hop and Afrobeats united together to create a melodious smash of hits that are both empowering and inspiring. I’d just like to take a moment to applaud all of the hard-working stylists like costume designer Zerina Akers, and one of my all-time favourites Mary Katrantzou who created a palette of colours against the backdrop of nature that made a look that is Heavenly. Elegantly draped hot pinks in satin, sweeping white cloud-like figurines, and deep blues as dark as the ocean are simply breathtaking.
One of my favourite songs from the film is “Already”, which I’m sure many of you love. The infectious beat speaks about showing up and showing off—not in a self centered way—but rather in a way that declares you are a king and a queen already. Basically this song speaks to me in a refreshing way of realising that it’s already time to rise up. Stop delaying your dreams. Stop shoving them over to the side acting like they’re not important. This song testifies to the fact that you are stronger and you can do this.
Long live the king, you a king, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Mind, body, soul, got a king body
Body gon’ shine, bling bling, body
Calling all the shots, ring ring, body
Crown on your head, got a king bodyLong live the king, you a king, you know it
—Beyoncé, Already
King already, my baby, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Shine already, it’s time already
The line already, it’s time already
Shine already, it’s time already
The line already, it’s time already
What is black culture? Some would say it’s that undeniable rhythm. Or it’s the warmth of their welcoming spirit. No one can put a label on it, and nobody should. Like a delectable palette of every dark shade imaginable, the black community has and continues to shine.
Take for example “Brown Skin Girl” where showstoppers like actress Lupita Nyong’o, supermodel Naomi Campbell, and Destiny Child’s former singer Kelly Rowland are featured in the video celebrating the essence of embracing the natural tone of your skin. The video elegantly portrays how different and beautiful everyone is, exemplifying how precious it is to know who you truly are. Once you realise you’re God’s creation, there’s no turning back. You are a queen. You are a king.
The film is focused on those with African descent and a reminder to pick up your crowns again. I actually welcome critics who point out what bugs them because basically it’s rocket fuel to help push you further and create even greater things. I realise some people have criticised this project for overly-romanticing the concept of royalty in ancient Africa, pointing out that ‘not everyone was a king or queen’. And I get that, obviously, but guess what everybody? You are kings and queens. Basically thinking otherwise would be a dishonour to God who created you as the beautiful piece of artwork that you are.
The black community are bold and brilliant. They’ve faced challenges some of us have never experienced. I believe we need to fight on their behalf to amplify their voices so we can conquer together with strength. This film comes during a time when there is much needed justice within the black community.
When I first heard the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ it pretty much shocked me. “Yeah,” I thought, “but why would they not matter?” It was like picking up a sour lemon and being forced to take a bite. We have come to a point of time in history where we literally have to create a phrase to remind others that a beautiful people group—God’s creation—certainly even matter. Why? I was disgusted. News headlines popped up all over my social feeds of banners parading in streets with people gathering and waving this strong, yet poignant statement. Why in God’s green earth would black lives not matter? The root of racism is an evil, nasty, and detestable thing. Let’s just call it for what it is: evil. We need to trace our roots back to the fact that the human race is God’s creation.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him.”
Genesis 1:27
For someone to think another person’s life isn’t important, valued, and meaningful, is straight up wrong. Examples of ugly injustices of precious lives lost such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd have flooded our social feeds, letting us know loud and clear that sadly yes, people…racism is still real. And we have to do something about it. Lately I’ve been listening to a podcast by one of my favourite couples and authors, John and Lisa Bevere. In the episode “A Conversation on Race & Reconciliation” John talks about a verse that perfectly portrays how we should be standing shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters:
“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.”
Revelation 7:9:
I realise many individuals have replied with the statement “all lives matter”, and of course they do, but during this pivotal time in history we’ve seen unfair treatment towards our black brothers and sisters. They’ve been targeted, so we are shifting our focus on them. It’s time we locked arms—like the verse depicting a vast crowd of people standing shoulder to shoulder—and win the fight of racism, together.
Growing up in rural mid-western America, my Mom had a gigantic map of the world stretching over the entire wall of our home-school room. She collected books about the world in our library with one in particular that I loved—a gigantic book called The Travel Book – A Journey through Every Country in the World. I used to study it from A-Z. I dreamed about exploring the ends of the world ever since I was a little kid. My Mom taught me at a young age to honor and respect other cultures, and so I continue to count each one as different, dignified, and amazing.
When I was blessed to be able to travel abroad and catch a glimpse of the continent of Africa for the first time back in 2014, I discovered a place that was rough, rugged, and spirited. The land of unexpected and natural beauty is gifted with a combination of water, earth, and fire. The people were so eager to share their “gems” of the country with me, and I could literally feel the warm spirit of the smiling people. I was able to view parts of Morocco, Ghana, South Africa and Mauritius (the beautiful island nation actually located in the Indian Ocean, but also part of the African continent). They’re all extremely different in character, but all with the same strong, vibrant heartbeat.
The people there are blessed with backdrops of lush green mountains and misty hues of cloud—like Table Top mountain, whose fortress beckons calls to adventure. Life in the streets are bustling with busy shops and open markets full of overwhelmingly-good smells like spicy fried vegetables and lamb. Even though I couldn’t speak the language of Xhosa in the local townships of Cape Town (Xhosa by the way, sounds like you’re clicking your tongue to urge a horse to go), I could speak their language through the magic of story telling. We danced, we laughed, we moved. Their relaxed, chilled-out vibe taught me to slow down and enjoy life with them.
The bright, vivid colours of Ghana are so enticing, it’s like a show of exotic flowers, plants, shapes, and designs all wrapped into one. The people will get you jumping for joy—just like the Palm Sunday service I took part in, where not one person was left standing. Then Morocco speaks of romantic hues and magical markets and is still one of my favourite places in the world so far. Mauritius is energetic and fun…even the turtles that I met during an ecological trip were smiling to welcome me!
Hardly I’ve seen much of Africa. I’ve only experienced a piece of it. Yet, I have gotten a taste. And kind of like a sweet sample you get offered at a mall, coaxing you to buy the entire package—I still have so much more to learn. But the heart of African culture—the strength, beauty, and determination of the people will always be in my heart. It’s why I keep a stoned-carved necklace in my office and with me when I travel…I received it from a talented street artist in Cape Town which reminds me that the heartbeat of Africa is inevitable.
Beyoncé was hands down one of the most influential people I looked up to in my teens. I belted out her songs for hours, practicing meticulously the tones and pitches of her voice on our home karaoke machine in the yard, or during long summer walks in the back forty acres of our rural Wisconsin farmland (no one could hear me for miles by the way—which was a big plus for living out in the middle of nowhere). I wanted to be just like her: fierce, passionate, she loved her family and fans. When I was 18 years old my Mom rented the movie Dreamgirls from the library. We watched as a trio of female soul singers hit the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own challenges and overcoming with victory. I had no idea who Beyoncé was at the time, but I was enamored by her boldness and God-given voice. It was through this film—especially the song “Listen”—that I found my love for soul singing. Later on I joined a choir in university called “Souls A’ Fire” where I practiced relentlessly two or three times a week with friends. It was an honour to help lead our student congregation during our weekly chapel events. During practice we laughed, we cried, we would sit on the floors of our chapel praying for our student body. I soaked in as much soul music as I could, delving into the past sounds of Motown, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.
Listen to the song here in my heart
A melody I start but can’t complete
Listen to the sound from deep within
It’s only beginning to find releaseOh, the time has come for my dreams to be heard
—Dreamgirls, Listen
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own all ’cause you won’t
Listen
I believe it’s so important to stand with our brothers and sisters of the black community, especially during this time. Let’s keep amplifying the voices of black business owners, artists, designers, and the community in general. Below are some African/black owned businesses that I personally follow and support. Let me know your favourites as well! Please check out these amazing influencers and spread the word, I’m sure you’ll find them inspiring:
Talented dancers like Morgan Bullock, 21-year-old African-American Irish dancer, continue to inspire me to learn and celebrate cultures that are different from mine, and I absolutely love it. You can check her out here: @morgvn.elizabeth
Morgan Harper-Nichols is an amazing artist who makes art as a response to stories, topics, and words that individuals send her. I found her during a podcast “Unlock Your Creative Power” on The Good Life with Stevie & Sazan Hendrix (find it HERE), her work is amazing, check it out! @morganharpernichols
Danielle Coke (@ohhappydani) is an artist I found through a post from a friend during the Black Lives Matter movement. Her artowork is so visually beautiful and inspiring and comes with an awesome message. Check her out here: https://www.ohhappydani.com/friends
Little queens with royal dreams, I’ve been following this brand for quite some time. These dolls come in many fun and visually inspiring prints that look just like the big-girl sizes that I’ve seen while in Ghana, and the little ones in your life can have fun playing with them: @hellonanadolls
I discovered the London-based British Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori during a careers event at Central Saint Martins. His work is wildly inspiring with a fresh twist on traditional African print. I referred to his work during my dissertation based on upcycling. Check out his amazing art and furniture here: https://yinkailori.com/
We are beautifully hand-crafted by God Himself. As a white girl I don’t understand the struggle that the black community is going through, but I can step up and lock arms with them. I can show my love and support for them. In whatever way we can, big or small, let’s continue to show up and show we care. Don’t be silent. Let’s lend a supportive hand and bridge the gap for race reconciliation. Let’s be bold, and support the beautiful black community.
xo,
Sissey ❦
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