Patiently waiting

Take a deep breath and exhale

Breathe out all the sadness, disappointment and failure

Breathe in peace, joy, happiness and prosperity

Stand up for your beliefs

Stand firm in your values

Inhale

Exhale

Stand up for your rights

Stand in your truth

Inhale

Exhale

Stand up for her

So she can stand up for you

Inhale

Exhale

Release all your tears, pain and sorrow

Reach your arms out towards your goals

Inhale

Exhale

Affirm all the good things you need

Aspire to become the greatest version of yourself

Be inspired and patient

The best is still to come

Author - @iameriwa

Photography - @garren.pryce

Model - @kiara_ailene

Praise be to God

From the age of five I was instructed to take care of my Mum and Sister.

Why would anyone ask a child to take on such responsibility?

I wasn’t old enough to question the instruction, so did my best to adhere.

You see my Dad died when I was five, and at that time, my baby sister was barely one.

My Mum was constantly in and out of the hospital, managing an inherited red blood cell disorder.

I had no choice but to grow up, and do so fast.

Becoming responsible at such a young age was a gift and a curse.

I didn’t get a chance to enjoy my childhood, or my teenage years because I wasn’t considered a child.

Everyone who could, took advantage.

That being said, all my experiences prepared me for the many challenges I’ve been through and overcome.

I’ve always been wise beyond my years, and felt a sense of duty to care for my loved ones, before myself.

However, now I’ve established healthy boundaries.

I do things out of love not obligation.

I don’t allow anyone to emotionally abuse me or guilt trip me.

I don’t give anyone my hard earned money whenever they ask because they’ve been irresponsible with their finances.

I don’t allow anyone into my space if their energy isn’t right or aligned with mine.

I don’t wait for anyone’s appreciation, applause or approval, I don’t need it.

I don’t hold malice but where necessary I will keep my distance.

I don’t have any expectations so don’t get disappointed, just pleasantly surprised.

I’ve stop holding people to my standards, I know we are all different, and have different paths.

I’ve let go of all my hurt and anger

I’ve realeased all my past pain and embrace my present, while remaining optimistic about the future.

I love myself first

I prioritise my needs first and don’t apologise for doing so

I’m focused on my mental, physical and spiritual growth and that’s it.

I’m blessed and highly favoured

I let God guide my footsteps and walk confidently moving forward.

Praise be to God - Amen

Author - @iameriwa

⁣Photography - @xander.foto

⁣Model - @attrvcion

⁣Hair - @tossedtresses⁣

⁣Stylist - @talyseanir_ ⁣

Choose to Challenge Ableism

As International Women’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking about this year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge, and what I can do to make a difference.

I’m extremely passionate about raising awareness on the invisible barriers people from marginalised groups face in the corporate world, however, I’ve never explored the intersections of disability and identity formation in the workplace (or wider society).

Please read, comment and share my article. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to create a working environment that supports colleagues with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions as opposed to one that inadvertently leaves many feeling excluded.

Be kind to yourself and others!

Author@iameriwa

Model @marshaellemusic

Thinking Out Loud

We cannot dismantle white supremacy without the support of white allies

We cannot deconstruct patriarchal ideologies without the support of men

We cannot heal the wounds of Black women without Black men taking accountability for their role in perpetuating misogynoir

We cannot end hunger or poverty in developing countries without the support of more affluent nations

There is power in collaboration, together we can create the change we so desperately need to see.

Be kind to yourself and your neighbour

Author - @iameriwa

Model - @adwoaaboah

Artist - @langstonamadi

Bridgerton: Colourism in Action

I finally got round to watching the Netflix series Bridgerton, by Executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

Like many Black women, I was eager to watch a fictitious show that would hopefully be “inclusive of all races” more importantly, I was sure that the show would go against the grain and cast Black dark skin women in leading roles.

I was sadly mistaken.

All the unambiguous looking Black women with dark to brown skin tones were casted as subservient characters with little to no lines, and used as part of the background scenery.

While the key female characters of colour were played by the following ambiguous looking Black women and Bi-racial women:

Golda Rosheuvel - plays Queen Charlotte

Adjoa Andoh - plays Lady Danbury

Ruby Barker - plays Marina Thompson

Kathryn Dysdale - plays Genevieve Delacroix

Emma Naomi plays - Alice Mondrich

I’m not surprised but I am disappointed, as this could have been avoided.

From a representation standpoint, Bridgerton is perpetuating the notion that Black women with light skin, particularly women with mixed ancestry, are more deserving of opportunities, admiration and a voice, over Black women with darker skin and Afrocentric phenotypes.

Colourism is just as dangerous on screen as it is off screen, as it reinforces the idea that dark skin is not good enough, or palatable for the dominate race to accept.

Anyway, I want to reinforce that lighter skin is not more beautiful than darker skin, they’re equally beautiful. However, I appreciate that so many, especially gatekeepers within media still haven’t got the memo.

Author - @iameriwa

#LonnaNailedit

Still I RisebyMaya Angelou. Read by Sophie Okonedo.

“Listen to Sophie Okonedo’s stunning reading of the poem, chosen by Mina Smallman to end her special edition of BBC Radio 4 Today.”

SOURCE:BBC

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

- Maya Angelou, Still I Rise