We made history in 2022, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨.
Happy Black Joy Month, 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 characterized by struggle, pain and trauma: let’s challenge that by exploring joy, amplifying these voices and stories, and changing the narrative.
Welcome to #BlackExcellence365 ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽!
Happy Black History Month from 365 Days of Lesbians!
1. “GAY PEOPLE! ALL PEOPLE! IT’S A BEAUTIFUL REVOLUTION,” March on Albany for Gay Liberation, Albany, New York, March 14, 1971. Photo by Diana Davies, c/o @nypl.
2. Archene Turner and Lynn Walker in Atlanta, GA in 1987. © “Making A Way: Lesbians Out Front” by JEB @jebmedia
3. Sinister Wisdom #51. 1993. “Consuela & Jera, Pinkney, Michigan -1993” by Terri Jewell
4. Pride, New York City, 1977 © Meryl Meisler @merylmeisler
5. “Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day, San Francisco, June 28, 1987. Photo © Saul Bromberger & Sandra Hoover.”
Our favorite historian, Carol Anderson, dropped in to talk about anti-blackness, "being colorblind" and her new book, The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. Get the book (here) — it's a great read!
Professor Anderson dropped some 💎gems💎! Oh, and before you leave don't forget to do your homework, Class. See you in the comments!
Attorney Benjamin Crump has become the leading lawyer in America for Black and Brown families who’ve had a loved one brutalized or murdered by the police. He was hired by Trayvon Martin’s family to represent them back in 2012 and since then has worked with the families of Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Jacob Blake, and many more on some of the defining civil rights cases in recent American history.
Read more here on Ben & Jerry’s conversation with Crump about George Floyd’s legacy, reimagining public safety, and the opportunity we have right now to end systemic racism and ensure real and lasting change.
February has come to an end, but Black Excellence is here to stay! We will be celebrating all year round.
We have had a blast sharing your artwork this month, alongside Creatr features of trailblazers and history-makers, and this playlist that we’ve been vibin' to all month long.
As we look forward to March and beyond, we want to make sure your voices are heard. The party is still going, and we need your help to make this celebration as BIG as possible—so keep sharing your work with us! Keep using the #BlackExcellence365 tag to help us find it.
We want to hear from you!
Who are the people who exude Black Excellence and who inspire you? Whose stories do you want to hear, and who do you want to see celebrated? Submit your suggestions here —let’s keep this party going!
This is #BlackExcellence365 ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽!