'shade.' celebrates Black and Brown womanhood through the arts

Leaders in student minority empowerment realize that concepts of race and feminism are difficult to openly discuss, which is why they are embracing the existence, efforts and evolution of Black womanhood through celebration.

“shade.” is a fundraising event showcasing various styles of multi-ethnic visual and performing arts organized by Project uPGrade, The Bridge and the UNC Black Student Movement’s Celebration of Black Womanhood Committee. 

The event will highlight the talents of minority communities through its promotion of spoken word, artistry, dance and other arts-related channels on Feb. 22 from 6-9 p.m. at The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History.

To create a celebration including many types of art, these organizations collaborated with one another and found common ground among each of their mission statements.

Nya Anthony, head of publicity at UNC for The Bridge, said the online publication’s mission is to provide an outlet for Black and Latina female-identifying individuals to be creative and celebrate their collective talents and identities. The site features many types of visual art and written work that celebrate cross-cultural narratives and identities. 

“In my opinion, the program is a repository for divine, feminine energy,” Anthony said. “Over the course of my participation with the program, I have met some incredible women that have taught me what it means to create and to let yourself be cultivated.”

The Bridge has contributed collections of varying types of performance and visual art it has published and will be presenting and displaying these pieces at the event.

Project uPGrade has contributed to “shade.” by contacting performers, panelists and collaborators, as well as designing promotional apparel and publicizing the event. 

Since Project uPGrade’s mission is to empower young women to strive for excellence in their personal, academic and professional goals, the Maryland-based organization felt it was important to collaborate with other organizations on campus that worked to produce creations aligned with their vision.

Destiny Talley, co-founder and program director of Project uPGrade, said that art has played a crucial role in creating a space for discussion about race. She said art has been a vessel for important voices throughout history, and she hopes people who attend “shade.” will learn more about art’s role in giving voices to women of color.

"“shade.” is an ode to the Brown and Black women who have constantly fought to move forward despite the many obstacles they faced and continue to face,” Talley said. “The goal is for everyone who attends to leave with a newfound appreciation for Brown and Black women because we deserve the amount of support that we give.”

Jihanne Burgess, student government co-chair of the Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Outreach Committee, plans to attend “shade.” She expects the event to be a space where Brown and Black women will be celebrated, appreciated and will be able to find solace in each other. 

“I am attending the event because I am a woman of color,” Burgess said. “I've felt the same pains and shared the same joys as the other women who will be in the room, and I'm excited about the chance to gather on a positive occasion and not a protest.”

@jesshardison31

arts@dailytarheel.com