I had one of the best Valentines Days of my life because it was filled with all the things I love — #BlackJoy #Friendship #Creativity #Brotherhood #Generosity #Laughter #NewBeginnings #Service It’s a privilege and a pleasure to do what you love. I am grateful for my life and all the blessings I have been afforded. Here is to self love and God’s grace! #ValentinesDay #Live #Love #Serve #Grateful #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt5ENM9nsEF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=amq2e9c0dw21
One of the most endearing but also gut-wrenching images. It epitomizes how institutionalized white supremacy structures and disrupts everyday black life. It also shows the small but meaningful ways in which we resist and reclaim in the most unlikely circumstances through love, joy and belonging.
Looking forward to the future and feeling grateful for the past. Bye bye 2020 #lookahead #gratitude #grateful #stillstanding #blackjoy #balconyviews #blackgirl #vscocam #fancy #me https://www.instagram.com/p/CJdhDxwDS3F/?igshid=eebb6sq2h3kf
Here’s a flashback of my last trip since 2020 made sure I went nowhere this year. Dug this out of @fratpackmusic’s archives. Beautiful Paris as the backdrop #flashbackfriday #famlove #eiffeltower #Paris #travellingfam #pinkhair #allsmiles #travelnoire #blackjoy #groupselfie https://www.instagram.com/p/CIqqwwYD5Q9/?igshid=8otdm6mvd3ux
Did you know @alisoncroney @tanyanixonsilberg_art and myself are hosting a series of interactive creative events celebrating Black Motherhood?
Our first event will be @bamsfest June 11th then @chezvousskating June 23. We can’t wait to see you!
In the meantime Boston area Black mamas are invited to Chez Vous for a skate party!!!
Concessions are available for purchase.
Come to learn, practice, or show off your skills with other mamas. ♀️♀️
June 23, 2022 from 6:00-9:00pm.
Leave the kids at home and join us for an afternoon of music and fun.
➡️➡️Space is limited so please register.
Go to events on my website to register! ZNTARTS.com
Limited funds are available to support with childcare. Rentals are included.
Funded by The Collective Futures Fund, this project is part of an collaborative art project by Boston Artists Alison Croney Moses, Tanya Nixon-Silberg, and Zahirah Nur Truth.
Today in Black Excellence: Dapper Dan—the underground fashion icon who made history as the first Black designer to receive CFDA’s lifetime achievement award.
“I don’t give a damn about failure. I was born part of failure. We are the phoenix—all of us here in America, every black man, woman, and child are part of the phoenix, still rising from those ashes. All my life is about getting knocked down and getting back up. I don’t care. It’s fun!”—Dapper Dan.
What’s Dapper Dan’s story?
Born Daniel Day on August 8, 1944, in Harlem, New York City, into a working-class family. By 13, he was making thousands a day after teaching himself gambling. By the 70s, Dan first sold items out of his car, and in 1982, the iconic Dapper Dan’s Boutique had its grand opening —open 24/7.
Dan is self-taught—from his fabrics and leather printing, to his creations of unique textiles featuring Louis Vuitton and Gucci logos. His designs became synonymous with 80s hip-hop—but Dan was neglected by the fashion world, and his illegal use of major label logos led to police raids. Local attention became Global; European luxury fashion companies like Fendi caught wind and promptly took legal action. Dapper Dan’s Boutique was shut down in 1992. Ever the hustler, he continued working underground.
How did he come to win the CFDA award?
Ironically, to say the least, and on his own terms in true Dapper Dan style. Fans were outraged when they noticed Gucci steal one of his classic designs for a major show. The coat was first made for Olympian Diane Dixon, and she posted on Instagram: “Give Dapper Dan his credit. He did it first in 1989!” Incredibly, Gucci accepted its wrongdoing and sparked his career into new life when it offered a partnership.
At age 77, he made history as the first Black fashion designer honored with the CFDA’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the first designer to receive the honor without ever doing a solo fashion show. Truly the epitome of Black excellence.
There’s a quote by Faith Cummings that says, “We still struggle to garner a seat at the table. Even though we’ve oft built the table ourselves.” As a Black Creative, this is a reality many of us face. And Dapper Dan is a modern representation of just that—Black Excellence. He exemplifies how and why our contributions to culture often define culture. It was an honor dedicating this piece to him, as an extension of my gratitude and appreciation for the path he has paved for all Black Creatives. Thank you Dapper Dan.
Could not resist sharing @bryce.cosplays as Fairy Tiana, I’ve been waiting for someone to bless us with this mashup
Posted @withregram • @bryce.cosplays FAIRY TIANA for my last #blackfaeday post!✨ • I have absolutely LOVED seeing all the incredibly beautiful, whimsical, talented, Black Faeries today! Lately I’ve been taking more and more time away from social media for my mental health and have really seen a positive difference in my life. But I almost missed out on all the magic and sense of community today! I opened the app on a whim to check in, and I’m so glad I did! Seeing everyone’s posts did my heart a lot of good! Everyone looks wonderful and exudes so much joy and positivity! Big thanks to @brownsugarfairies for arranging all this! I’m glad I had some old fairy content tucked away, so I could join in this celebration last minute today!✨ • Gown & headdress: @glimmerwood Digital Wings: @fancyfairyangela Photography: @enchantlens • #representationmatters #blackjoy #blackjoymatters #blackfairy #fairy #faerie #faeries #melanated #brownsugarfairies #blackcosplayer #tianacosplay #princesstiana #disney #blackgirlmagic #disneyprincess #fantasy #fantasycosplay #whimsical #enchantedforest #enchanted #princessandthefrog #fairywings https://www.instagram.com/p/COpCpYnsmrA/?igshid=1j2408yjj5y2g
Black joy is laughter, medicine, anarchy, self-preservation, justice. It is energizing. It is defiance. Black joy is beauty. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -Cole Verhoevev ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #Blackjoy is the meaning of life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What will you do with all your joy today? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ : @junglebookbarbie https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmXZSWj3fO/?utm_medium=tumblr
It’s February on @blackexcellence, and we’re embarking on the fourth year of BlackExcellence365, where we celebrate Black history 24/7, 365 days of the year. BlackExcellence365 is a community celebration of you, your world, Black achievement of every stripe—from the arts to sports to social justice. Join us in our celebration of Black Joy.
Black Excellence is Revolutionary.
Black Resilience is Revolutionary.
Black Joy is Revolutionary.
Black Joy is Black Excellence.
If you are a Black creative, look out for opportunities to showcase your expressions of Black joy—from art, dance, fashion, writing, music, photography, film, to everything in-between.
Each month, we’ll be coming to you with themes like Black Girl Magic, Black Power, and Black Boy Joy. We’ll be sharing interviews, spotlights, and a collaborative playlist featuring the very best Black talent.
Follow our Today In Black Excellence series to learn about the icons and history-makers our Creatrs love—with artist depictions and fun facts about game-changing athletes, writers, and activists, past and present, who have all changed the world.
However you express joy—join in, follow, and share using the tags #BlackExcellence365, #BlackJoy, and #BlackJoyIsBlackExcellence. The Black experience is too often a characterized by struggle, pain and trauma: let’s challenge that by exploring joy, amplifying these voices and stories, and changing the narrative.
