Two years ago during Black History Month, I started my #LoveLettersToBlackWomen series. I started it because I noticed how Black women were often erased and their accomplishments unseen.
It’s happened to me - once when the organization I worked for wanted to celebrate something I did, they published on all of our accounts, “We’re lucky we benefit from the wisdom of our Black woman COO…” The posts went on to shine a light on my work - and they never said my name. I was reduced to being a Black woman COO. Invisible even in a moment that was supposed to be about increasing visibility.
Now you may think I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill about this. What does it matter if the post said my name? It matters because this invisibility has negative consequences. Research shows you are less likely to remember the words and contributions of Black women. This under-attribution and lack of credit Black women receive means we are often not compensated or promoted at work as our peers who are not Black women, which exacerbates pay inequity and the wealth gap.
So this year, I’m going to continue to counter this reality by sharing the work of other Black women. This year - at a time when everything around us can cause despair and deep pain - I’m focusing on art, delight, and joy.
Joy is TRULY an act of resistance.
It’s how we remember our own humanity and what’s at stake. Claiming our joy inoculates us - just a little bit- against the actions of those who intend for us to feel hopeless. Hopelessness makes us easier to dominate and control. Joy plants seeds of hope and gives us something to fight for.
So this year, I’ll be sharing art, songs, movies, and other creative expressions from and about Black women that spark joy for me. I hope it sparks just a little bit of joy for you and helps you remember why we must continue to protect each other and work to bend the arc of the universe.
On the first day of February, I’m sharing a song from the brilliant Franchesca Ramsey that I imagine will be in regular rotation in the coming years. I Never Thought the Leopard Would Eat My Face has become an anthem to describe what happens when people align themselves with the oppressor, only to find themselves oppressed by that same oppressor.
As my grandmother used to say, “Some folks need to go up fool’s mountain.” And there’s a lot of folks who seem determined to go right on up that mountain.
Franchesca’s song is a fun way to remind us that mountain trek is so unnecessary if folks could remember that our fates are bound together. Solidarity is the way forward.
So thanks to Franchesca for giving me a song that helps me express my rage and exasperation. Maybe one day folks will choose differently. #28LoveLetterstoBlackWomen #BlackHistoryMonth2025 #Day1
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