By Kimberly Foster

Aja Monet has the voice of a blueswoman, husky and songful. It is was what first drew me to her.

That voice compelled me to listen more closely, taking note of her tone and cadence as a poem leapt from her mouth. I'm rarely able to resist a performance as masterful as the one captured in that two-minute video, but the work, the words, have stayed with me, too.

Then I read her book, My Mother Was A Freedom Fighter.  Her voice rang just as clearly.  I heard Aja as she worked through the complex, often fraught, ties that bind us to our families and communities, as she imagined a world that holds everyone dear.

That kind of clarity is not incidental. It doesn't just happen. When I spoke to Aja by phone, she discussed how difficult creation can be. Even those who are blessed with natural gifts have to wrestle because talent and ease should not be confused.

The world is, in her words, "a fucking mess." (Who could disagree?) She creates anyway. For herself, and for us.


I periodically like to read an essay from W.E.B. Dubois, where he basically argues that all art is propaganda. If that's true, then what message are you trying to spread with your poetry?
So, when you create, there's no singular mission statement? It's what's moving you at the time? 

Yeah, but it varies, you know?

by Aurielle Marie

It’s 6 p.m. in Olympia, WA, and I am settling into myself in this new space. Your girl is struggling. (Can we say culture shock?) I moved to the pacific north-west after three years of community organizing, both in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and as a teaching artist and poet. I moved here, to find new ways to advocate for the communities that I love. Communities that are erased, attacked, and silenced in ways that threaten our lives everyday. I moved with confidence. Yet here I am, in this space, waiting for affirmation that this was the right move. It’s been a month and to celebrate I'm cooking healthy shit in this new kitchen I keep having to remind myself belongs to me.



If you know me, you know that I stan for little else other than Beyoncé and avocados. But I've been going UP for Amandla Stenburg lately. Have you seen this girl and her magic? Have you heard the gospel? Are you not amazed?! She's been dubbed Feminist of the Year by Teen Vogue, and I'm LIVING for the article that Solange Knowles so intentionally penned in January about Amandla's resistance against white supremacy, her fervent advocacy for black girls and Our Hair, and the magical way challenging white celebrities on their anti-blackness has opened up dialogue with our faves about the value of black life in pop-culture. While the entire interview is straight flames, check out what quote moved me to tears (literally) during the interview:

AMANDLA: I often find myself in situations where I am the token black person. It can feel like this enormous weight. I have definitely had moments when my hair felt too big or like I needed to make myself...

SOLANGE: Smaller.

AMANDLA: Exactly. Smaller and easier to digest. And that’s still something that I struggle with now, you know?

Whew.

Can we just take a second to praise the ancestors for Amandla, and for "all power" belonging to her? It’s my first month here in Olympia, and I've never felt the weight of my black femme energy so strongly in any other city like I do here. It’s a silent hesitance that snakes its way between all of the moments shaping my experience. The small stutter just before their hello, when I introduce myself as a student to white people. The almost unperceivable frowns of confusion when I walk down an aisle at the Safeway. The shoulder that tensed ever-so-slightly as I passed a woman and her children at the bus stop. Being a big, loud, black girl in an incredibly small, white space is an exhausting endeavor. I've been tired all week, without the language to explain where my energy has vanished. The air here has a way of pushing up against your side, fighting against your gait, almost convincing you to pull your hair closer to the ground or wear less color or speak less loud, less often, from the back of the classroom.

My girlfriend felt my despair, the other day, and reminded me of one of my favorite quotes. "Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."

Now, in the context of anti-blackness, it seems too easy to say "Be Yourself" in a world where my perception of myself is constantly the refracted image at the bottom of a disturbed pool. But yes, let us black girls choose to be ourselves. Is "being" not an act of political resistance? Isn't it true that existing in this space that was never meant to hold my body or echo my words, in fact shaking the constructs of the supremacy which it was built upon? I think I can answer yes. Even in these moments, when I wait for the bus, with my shoulders hunched, I think I can answer yes.

I leave you with an excerpt of my essay from my first week back in school, entitled On Freedom and Visibility, where I told all these white folks in the room exactly how this learning environment business was going to go down:



"I am a black, queer woman who navigates through this world at the intersections of racial, class, and gender inequity. While it is true that throughout my life I wish to be a tool that helps shape a world where inequality is no longer status quo, I don’t believe I owe this world all of me. Right now, I'm simply a black girl yearning to survive in a world that fervently seeks to destroy me and my magic. White supremacy, anti-blackness, and anti-queer ideology have marginalized the communities I call home since this country was founded, and continue to inact violence in every way that we interact with the system. We, who are poor, who are woman, who are queer or trans, who are exceptionally fat/thick/curvy/round, we who are not white, we experience life through tinted goggles. Further, freedom has never been offered to we who sit dangerously at the intersection of these identities.

The hurdles are high, the hills are higher, and still we are told that the world is a peaceful place where all can sit at the table. In this world, I am taught to deny myself, to limit my full capacity in order to make patriarchy and white supremacy comfortable. I challenge this truth, and dedicate my journey to unlearning the behaviors that benefit whiteness by limiting the size of my presence. I believe that here, my value is not in how well I can fit in and make dominant (white) culture comfortable, rather, my value is linked to how different I am, how my presence and visibility make the dominant culture here uncomfortable, how my ability to speak up and aloud disturbs the surface of the pool. What can I bring? Why, my full self. In every capacity. No matter the discomfort. We will learn and love and grow together. We will challenge the constructs of our conditioning. It will be a revolution of sorts.

Photo: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Aurielle Marie is an Atlanta-born spoken word artist and pro-black feminist who identifies as Femme, Queer, and Radical. Her work moves fluidly from the streets to the stage, in resistance of anti-black state violence through her works as a poet and a community organizer. She's currently: addicted to matte lipstick, dissecting Drake lyrics, and trying to adjust to life in Olympia, Washington.

Interview by Michelle Denise Jackson

When we discuss the issues that Black women and girls face today, it’s hard to know where to begin. In the past year, there has been national discourse around police brutality and state-sanctioned violence executed against Black men, women, and children. We’re familiar with names like Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Tanesha Anderson, and Rekia Boyd. There have also been ongoing conversations around gender-based and sexual violence, with high profile cases like Janay Rice’s on-camera beating at the hands of her then fiancé, Ray Rice. Or the ongoing investigation of Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw, who raped and sexually assaulted dozens of women while on duty.

Interview by Moiyattu Banya

As For Harriet is a digital media space and online community for Black women across the Diaspora, we seek to celebrate and shine light on other women doing similar work. Patricia Miswa is one of these women. Miswa is the founder and editor-in-chief of AfroElle Magazine, a digital publication that celebrates women of African heritage. She started the platform 5 years ago and has made tremendous strides in achieving the goals she set out to achieve. AfroElle magazine has featured over 500 stories of women in Africa and the Diaspora. They are business owners, change-makers, artists, non-profit directors, and more—including women like Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Zoleka, Hollywood actress Lisa Raye and many more.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon national headquarters recently announced the hiring of Ashlee Canty in the role of Director of Diversity and Inclusion. This is the first position of its kind for a national Greek organization. Canty will oversee “development, promotion, and implementation of strategies that lead to enhanced diversity” within the SAE organization.

The intersection of race and gender in tech has become increasingly important in an age of rapid technological growth. digitalundivided (DID) works to "disrupt pattern-matching in tech by identifying, training and supporting high performing diverse founders of tech enabled companies." I was very thrilled to ask one of DID's tech enthusiasts, Denitria Lewis, questions about the importance of Black women in tech.
Joneka Percentie is a rising junior studying Mass Media Communications, Africana Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies at UNC Charlotte. When she’s not working with SPARK Movement, or tweeting @jpercentie, she enjoys singing, dancing, and sleeping. Email her at joneka.percentie@forharriet.com

"Art is not only central, it is crucial."

Dr. Cheryl Clarke shared with me these words on the importance of creativity within social justice work and movement building during our conversation that covered art, activism, feminism, lesbianism and academia.

Blogger turned Author Doyin Richards is on a mission to change the way we think and talk about fatherhood. His first book, Daddy Doin' Work: Empowering Mothers to Evolve Fatherhood, is in stores now. I spoke with Doyin about his stereotypes about black dads and what we can do to not only change the conversation but change some of the potentially destructive family dynamics.

I dreamed of attending Harvard since I was 12 years-old. Back then I knew fairly little about the university beyond its most discussed attributes: old, storied, and prestigious. That was enough for me. In middle school, I devised a plan to get there by any means necessary. It wasn't until I arrived on campus, that I realized what a true privilege it is to spend each day sitting beside and learning from some of the most brilliant minds in the world.

Ask a Harvard grad, and they'll likely tell you the best part about Harvard is the people. They'll amaze and inspire you everyday. Ellie Hylton is one of those phenomenal people. A member of the Harvard College Class of 2013. She was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society in the fall, and she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in sociology and the highest GPA in her class. For that distinction, Harvard awarded her the Sophia Freund Prize.

Even as African-American attitudes evolve on formerly taboo issues like gay marriage, atheism remains a taboo. After the overwhelming response to "Yes, I'm Black, No I'm Not Christian" on black non-religious women, we reached out to Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson to get her take on what it means to hold no faith as a woman of the African Diaspora. She explores the topic in depth in her book Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Values Wars. Our writer, Briana Gunter, asked Dr. Hutchinson about life, work, and insight into what it means to be a black woman atheist.

Now is the time for Black women creatives to start work on their own projects. If Issa Rae's journey from YouTube star to network television showrunner hasn't inspired you already, there are plenty of other Black women to look for motivation. Take for example, Franchesca Ramsey bka Chescaleigh. After years of working diligently on building a social media following, her "Shit White Girls Say...to Black Girls" video earned her multiple television appearances and major media features. Her dedication to doing the work paid off in a major way. We salute her for being truthful to her experience as a Woman of Color. Franchesca graciously answered a few of our questions about her rising career and her future.

As we begin to learn more and more about the harmful effects of chemicals and toxins in the products we use everyday, a switch to a "green" lifestyle seems like the best choice. Many Black women want to embrace green living, but simply don't know where to start. Enter Karama of Savvy Brown. Her blog documents herquest to live a healthier, natural lifestyle on a budget. She talked with us about her blogging journey. 

Over the years I have gathered a few mentors in my head. Some of these women I have met and some I have admired from a distance. Susan Fales-Hill is definitely one of these mentors. I first learned of Mrs. Fales-Hill from an article in Essence, that was highlighting her first book "Always Wear Joy". I was enthralled by this woman and her mother, Josephine Premice. Being of Haitian descent, as they are, I wanted to know more about them. What their journeys have been like, what lessons they wish to teach others, and just how they have maintained their glamor and endearing aura in a world that doesn't always appreciate such traits. I ran to my local Barnes and Nobles and purchased the last copy of this book (that I still own to this day). Since then, I have remained a fan and supporter of Mrs. Fales-Hill. Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to interview her and talk about her new book, "Imperfect Bliss." I must say she is just as gracious, intelligent, and heart-warming as I imagined...and more.

In only a few years, Chicao-native Shari Neal has turned her t-shirt side-hustle into a successful small business. Since its launch, Bon BonVie’s sleek designs and empowering messages have become blogger favorites. (Like everyone else, we adore the Brown Skin Lady tee.) Shari and Bon Bon Vie prove that uplifting Black women can provide the foundation for a successful company.

Author Michele Grant began blogging to promote her published work, but now years later her popular blog Black 'n Bougie has taken on a life of its own. Michele's thriving blog community always dishes the real deal on love, relationships and family. She shares her blogging insights with us below:


Your blog, Black 'n Bougie, is such a fun, honest site. Why did you start it?

I started Black 'n Bougie in 2009 as a platform to showcase my writing. My first book, Heard it all Before was coming out the following winter. I hoped that if I wrote a blog and people liked my style of writing, that would translate into book sales. But then, as I began writing the blog - it became a platform, therapy, and a community.

Tami Winfrey Harris uses her blog, What Tami Said, as a vehicle to share her voice on a variety of topics. With her thoughtful, bold perspective, Tami provides a much needed corrective to dominant discourses about Women of Color.  We love her because meet ever holds back. With each post, she proves writing about your passion is the key to blogging success.


When did you start your blog, "What Tami Says," and what purpose did you hope it would serve on the internet? 

What Tami Said started as a way for me to flex my creative muscles, as well as tackle issues that are important to me. Writing has always been my passion and I have a journalism background. But a few years ago, I found that my daily life wasn't giving me the outlet for creativity that I needed. At the same time, it bothered me that voices like mine--voices of progressive black women--were essentially silenced in the media. Then I stumbled upon Gina McCauley's blog, What About Our Daughters, and I was fascinated by both her voice and activism. I was inspired to begin my own blog. At the time, I'm not sure I had any belief that What Tami Said would serve a purpose for anyone but myself. I never stop being surprised and gratified when I hear that my little corner of the web has had some impact on a reader.

A lot of blogs tend to shift in direction from their original style, yet yours has remained consistent. What do you attribute this consistency to? 

What Tami Said really reflects the things that interest me and that I care about. Race, gender, politics, pop culture, some books and music--those are simply my interests, and blogging has allowed me to deepen my understanding and knowledge in those areas, which I really appreciate.  I suppose my blog has remained consistent, because my interests have remained consistent.


What would you say is the biggest lesson you've learned about yourself, and black women from blogging? 

Black women are awesome. I always knew this, of course. But screw all those media messages. Really. Everyday, through my work on the web, I meet another sister doing something amazing. And not just black women. There are so many women doing great things that go unrecognized both offline, but online, too. For instance, the media isn't giving enough attention to sexist attacks on reproductive freedom in this country--attacks that will hurt marginalized women the most--but there are several women online who are just dogged about shedding light on what we have to lose. That's real work. That's real, important work. And it's being done, in most cases, by women who aren't making money for it. They're using their writing talent and online platforms to report, analyze, make a statement and move people. How can you not admire that? It blows me away.

The biggest benefit of my blogging has been developing friendships with some really smart and cool people--women and men.


Being a black woman who is outspoken on social, political, and economic issues definitely comes with a lot of critique and even attacks. How do you deal with this downside of blogging? 

*knocks wood* So far, I have been spared the attacks often faced by outspoken women, especially online. Not that my blog doesn't attract a troll or two, from time to time, but I think What Tami Said and the other spaces where I contribute tend to be populated by progressive-minded people. When I have written for outlets with readers not well versed in, say, anti-racism, it has been harder. You have to state your case and have confidence in your stance, but also know that some people can't be reached. Some people are resistant to acknowledging their own privilege. Others aren't ready. I'm always down for a PRODUCTIVE debate, but I won't allow myself or my readers to be abused, and I only have so much patience for folks who want to run up in a place just to play the derailing contrarian.


How do you think your blog has helped support the community of black women online? 

I try to be responsive to other bloggers, answering their requests and questions. I try to give a signal boost, through my blog, social media and word of mouth, to black women bloggers doing good work. And I also try to share connections and opportunities. I think that last bit is crucial. A lot of ink has been spilled over the fact that it is tougher for black bloggers to be noticed and tapped for mainstream opportunities. It's true. So, when I get a little shine, I try to throw a little someone else's way. When a cyber sister gets a book deal or an article published, I try to promote it.


How do you see your writing and blog evolving in the next 3-5 years? 

I've been lucky to be able to contribute to other spaces like Racialicious, the Guardian, Clutch magazine and Ms. magazine. Over the coming years, I hope to have more opportunities to write, beyond What Tami Said, on and offline. I am currently working on a book that I hope will be a corrective to the sexist and racist current conversation about black women and marriage. It will include first-person narratives from diverse women, including women who don't wish to marry, women in interracial relationships and queer women--all of whom are usually left out of the "black marriage crisis discussion." What Tami Said will continue to be the centerpiece of my work--the place where I get to be myself and let my metaphorical hair down.



What advice would you give to women who are new to blogging? 

Write about what moves you. It will bring more passion to your work. Readers will be more engaged if you are engaged. Also, be a part of the blogging community. Get to know other bloggers. Contribute to other spaces. Give back. It will be rewarding for your blog and also personally. Lastly, harness the power of social media.

Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista recognized the potential in blogging and seized every opportunity that's come her way. Now she's well on her way to building a new media empire centered around her passion for plus-size fashion.

Marie understands the importance of branding in the crowded online space, and she graciously answered a few questions about how she created her own space.

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I have been blogging for three years and a few months now! I started my blog as first an outlet for my findings while in grad school. I knew that blogs were going to be the next best resource or outlet and I used this to show and share all the jewels I found in plus size fashion. It was more of a gathering place of resources!

Do you blog full time? How did you make that transition?
I do, I do blog full time! It started as a side hustle, but then… Interestingly enough, I lost my job on Friday the 13th of March 2009. My blog was just starting to pick up and I was getting my little groove of things. Having a great support system, my friends and family did not let me wallow in my woes. I threw myself into my blog- full speed ahead and have not looked back since!

Your name is very closely associated with your brand. How did you make that decision?
You know, I never really thought about doing otherwise! I knew I wanted people to know this was my baby, my project, my thoughts. From there it had evolved into something else entirely. It’s funny, many people think that Denee is my last name…

How has blogging shifted the fashion world's approach to plus size fashion?
You know what? Blogging and social media both have given the plus size woman a voice to speak up and out about what we want, need, and love about what is available to us. Beyond that, blogging has given the plus size woman an outlet and resource to commune with other like minded Fashionistas!

I feel that through blogging, designers, media, and Fashionistas have a new found approach and respect for the coming together of plus size and fashion. Blogging has helped shed those notions and stereotypes that have oft shrouded the plus size woman. She is confident, bold, daring- all things that for the longest, plus size women were never celebrated to be.
Times are changing!

You've witnessed the explosion of the blogosphere. Is the space getting too crowded? 
Never! I think the diversity brings about newness, diversity, a freshness, and a development of ideas to push fashion further!

Your digital brand has afforded you many offline opportunities. Which have been your favorites? 
Ahh… I have to say that working with Chevy as their Fashion Cruzearati has definitely been a life and game changer for me! This was the first time that I realized the potential of my brand and that really gave me credibility to other brands!

Another moving moment for me is being on the production team of Full Figured Fashion Week which takes place in New York and Los Angeles! (www.fffweek.com) Through the mentorship of Gwen DeVoe, I have had the opportunity to work with and meet some really amazing and innovative women within the plus size fashion community!

What's the best thing your blog has given you?
Freedom to be and do what I want and how I want to. I have been working since the age of 15, playing and adhering to the rules and limitations of others. I think even beyond freedom, it has given me courage to think bigger, dream greater, grow further than I could ever imagine myself to!

I have learned just how strong I am. You know, you never know your own strength until your back is against the wall… this journey as a blogger has afforded me the chance to grow as a woman, friend, advocate, lover, and sister in ways I could have never thought. I am beyond grateful.

Though yours is not a "black blog," how has support from African American women helped you in your bogging life? 
Ohhh… where would I be without them? Seriously, dubbed my Fairy blog mothers, I have had the pleasure and grand opportunity to look to Gwen from FFFWeek.com, Kathryn from The Budget Fashionista, Patrice from Afrobella, Nichelle from StyleMom, and Claire from FashionBomb, all of whom who have selflessly given me advice, direction, insights, and feedback that I honestly know have shaped and developed me to where I am now!

They give me the strength, support and moxie to step out! I think in business and blogging, it definitely takes a village! Because of this, I make sure to humbly pay it forward!

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a blog?
Such an open question… I would have to say to be honest as to why you want to start your blog, find your own voice, do your research, and have fun.  I cannot stress enough to have fun and enjoy your life. While I am a business, have obligations, and responsibilities, I try my darndest to have fun!



Visit The Curvy Fashionista and follow Marie Denee on Twitter.


Join the Black Girls Blogging community to connect with other bloggers and learn how to blog better!

Social media provides Black women opportunities to define who we are and what we hope to become. Black Girls Blogging is a new feature on For Harriet that explores the ways Black women share their voices and build community online.

At first glance, you'll assume My Vicarious Life is a typical fashion blog but Katrice Mines' stirring commentary sets it apart. The Editor-by-day found the perfect balance of the aesthetic and the intellectual. She shares her inspirations and motivations with us below.


What made you decide to start MVL?
I started MVL in 2010 as a space for me to chronicle my self-imposed challenge of getting to know the city – restaurants, boutiques, attractions and everything in between. The challenge was inspired by what felt like constant explaining to people what I enjoy about being single and to prove through my posts that life is what you make it.


You edit a print publication. How has that impacted the way you approach blogging?
My career as an editor helps me to provide a very curated approach to content – choice and presentation. Although MyVicariousLyfe.com is a light and airy lifestyle blog, I take care to offer crisp writing and well-considered posts. And it has also helped me to stay true to my editorial scope, which is very much centered around insight on the things that I love and only what I believe worthy of coverage. When my readers leave MVL, I hope that they feel as if they have had an experience with me.


MVL began with more of a lifestyle focus, but you now seem to focus on fashion. What inspired the shift?
The shift happened organically. I love fashion {and shopping} and so I tend to gravitate more to what gets my attention in that realm. But, my aim this year is to be more diverse with my content. You'll see more commentary, more travel and more of me in my professional life. In short, I'm fighting the "shift" because if you talk to me, you'll actually get so much more. I'll be chatting you up about a World War II documentary or something along those lines.


What's the best thing your blog has given you?
My blog has essentially given me – me. I launched hoping that it would inspire others. MVL has, in fact, inspired me. I have learned to accept my voice and to take myself seriously, and I realize that through my blog, I become more of myself everyday.


What have you learned about yourself through blogging?
Two things: That I am obsessed with excellence and with the opportunity to enliven others. If I learn something, I can't wait to share it. I receive something, I can't wait to share it. I'm trying to live my best life so well that others can't resist doing the same.


In what ways has your blog enabled you to connect with Black women online?
I did a post in October titled, “How Blogs are Bringing Black Women Together,” and it was simply to say thank you to the women who have become a community, of sorts, for me and for us. Blogging has somehow allowed us to take down some of the barriers that we place up out of socialization and to realize that we are not each others enemies. I have connected with so many brilliant women that I now consider my sisterfriends on Twitter and Facebook – and met many of them in person because of our online introductions. So many women that I didn't even know lifted me up when I was just getting started and so unsure of myself and my blog, and that has made all the difference.


What advice would you give to women looking to find their voice online? 
I would say take some time to carefully consider what exactly they want to bring forth and to be authentic -- above all else. Two things that can make establishing yourself difficult in the sea of content is being unsure and trying to be all things to all people. Decide your thesis and stay true.

Visit MyVicariousLyfe.com and follow Katrice on Twitter

Join the Black Girls Blogging community, and learn how to blog better!

In this year's State of the Union Address, President Obama expressed a commitment to providing Americans with the resources and education that will propel the country back to its position as a leader of industry. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is a primary component of The Whitehouse's plan.

In the past 20 or 30 years, the world's greatest digital creations have come out of the United States, but the founders of the largest tech companies are conspicuously similar. While advocating a better equipped work force, the President neglected to mention the underlying societal issues that contribute to world of technology being dominated by white men.