The Beauty Files: Kamaria Delaney
Welcome to the Beauty Files, a series where we will uncover the behind the scenes stories of our Issue 6 Beauty Contributors and what they believe about beauty as Black women artists and creatives. Next up we have Spoken Black Girl Beauty Contributor, Kamaria Delaney whose poem “Self-Portrait ” appears in Spoken Black Girl Issue 6 Beauty.
What inspired your piece featured in Spoken Black Girl: Beauty?
I was inspired to write my poem, “Self-Portrait,” after reflecting on how we as Black women have prevailed, despite our struggles, and continue to achieve excellence. I wrote this love letter to us, affirming the beauty in our power, resilience, and unwavering refusal to conform to European standards of beauty.
How does your work explore or redefine beauty in your own words?
My piece, “Self-Portrait” explores the beauty of being a Black Woman and embracing all the things that make us exquisitely unique. We are the blueprint; a masterpiece in our own right. We have overcome so much through centuries and have prevailed, gracefully and boldly.
Was there a specific moment, person, or experience that sparked your creative process for this piece?
I sat with the opening line of my poem that kept replaying in my head after watching an episode of Insecure. “Take my picture next to Issa, I don’t need the Mona Lisa…” I admire Issa Rae and her work, because in many ways she has redefined what it means to achieve success as an “Awkward Black Girl,” she’s broken barriers in Hollywood and beyond. I thought about what an iconic symbol the Mona Lisa painting is for so many, yet it never spoke to me. Then I started to think about us as Black Women being art, beautifully created and what that means to me.
What does beauty mean to you today? Has that definition changed over time?
Beauty is more than just what meets the eye. Beauty goes far beyond outer appearance, it runs deep in our bones. What we overcome and how we persevere makes us beautiful; how we navigate this life and turn lemons into lemonade is simply beautiful.
What role has writing, art, or creativity played in your self-expression and healing journey?
Writing has been my peace for most of my life; it’s truly a gift that keeps on giving. All of the things I need to let out and shout about, I write them down. Writing makes me feel grounded and centered; I have clarity when I can see my thoughts on the page. Furthermore, when I perform spoken word pieces, that’s an extension of my creativity. It’s a release that has helped me heal, grow, and recognize my power.
What music, books, or visual art inspired you during the creation of your piece?
Images of Black Queens with various hairstyles inspired my poem. Their crowns, both literal and figurative, and their radiance resonated with me during the creation of my piece.
What would you tell a younger Black girl about beauty that you wish you’d known sooner?
I would tell a younger Black girl: “Dear Queen, you’ve got a crown that you can’t put down.” In other words, never let anyone tell you that you’re not worthy or allow you to forget your worth. You deserve all of the happiness and peace that your heart desires. Be your authentic, beautiful self, because there is no one else in the world like you.
What are you currently working on or excited about sharing next?
I’m currently working on a short story collection and I’ll continue to publish blog posts about my travel journeys on my travel blog, Jump and Journey.
More About Kamaria:
Kamaria Delaney
Kamaria Delaney is a writer and poet originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, now based in the Chicagoland area. She draws inspiration from both the pulse of the city and her travels around the world, weaving her experiences into powerful, reflective writing. Kamaria is the author of Soul PWR: A Poetry Anthology and she performs spoken word poetry at various events and venues.
In addition to performing, she writes poetry for print and online publication, always exploring themes of identity, place, and personal journey. She is also the founder of Jump and Journey, a travel blog where she shares stories, insights, and tips for fellow wanderers seeking meaningful adventure.
Website:
https://soulpwr.org/ Jumpandjourney.com (travel blog)
