Black Girl Magic Tea Party w/ Modestine Tea & Yoga with Allaya
Photo Credit: Steven Jermaine @5amtoday
The fall season comes with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for life. Even through the many shocks and traumas of 2020, we made it this far. I know my heart has been heavy all summer over the death of Breonna Taylor. I have a niece is named Breanna, so every time I hear about the case, it’s a stinging reminder that there is a system of white supremacy that does not value the lives of our beautiful Black girls. It has made me even more passionate about my business. Our voices matter. We matter. I’m committed to creating more visibility for Black women and mental health awareness by demonstrating self-care in my own life and sharing with the world. Not only that, but I would like to share the tools I discover with other Black women with a story to tell. I’m amazed by the resourcefulness and creativity of Black women during this time of pandemic and civil unrest. I’m convinced we are seeds that sprout even in adversity, but we are equally deserving of rest and moments of joy.
Photo by Steven Jermaine @5amtoday
That was the concept that brought myself and fellow entrepreneur, Laura Cepeda, together for this small, socially distant collaboration in the Seneca Village section of Central Park. Something about the imagery of Spoken Black Girl Magazine Issue 2: Resilience and a cup of lovingly brewed tea from Modestine Tea just fits together so beautifully!
The commercial was shot in the Seneca Village section of Central Park, an area that many years ago was a thriving Black community destroyed and stolen. Laura of Modestine Tea, a tea sommelier from Grenada, uses tea as a way to embody Black people resting, living in peace and luxury. Tea time is about intentional rest and refilling in the most elegant manner possible; Earl Gray scones and salmon sandwiches, and most importantly, the tea! Issue 2 of Spoken Black Girl Magazine is titled Resilience and explores the resilience of Black women as well as our style, grace, and beauty through the struggles of life. Laura and I instantly connected over the need to create more images of Black people in a state of rest and splendor, particularly at this time when we are grieving Breonna Taylor. At a time when the pandemic has separated family and friends.
At a time when we should be angry and rightly so, we instead choose joy.
Photo Credit: Steven Jermaine @5amtoday
Laura and I laid blankets over the land, knowing our ancestors' bodies were buried there. We both hail from the Caribbean, but we felt the call of the Diaspora sitting on that land beneath a sturdy oak tree, feeling supported and imagining a future of Black Freedom. We laughed and through our expression of joy, we raised the vibration of that space and honored the lives lost on that sacred land. We were privileged to have Mike Shyne of Shyne Media Productions shoot a commercial of the tea party which is now nominated for Best Business Commercial in the Queens NY Underground Film Festival. Through sharing this commercial, it is our hope to bring that vision of Black rest, joy, and refinement to a larger audience while also amplifying several Black women-owned businesses.
Photo Credit: Steven Jermaine @5amtoday Photo Features: Allaya of Yoga with Allaya
Happily, this is just the beginning of my collaboration with Modestine Tea! Look forward to an interview with Laura Cepeda in Issue 3 of Spoken Black Girl Magazine: Diaspora. For now, you should head over to Modestine Teas and pick up one of their new Ritual Boxes with a selection of self-care and tea ritual items to keep you grounded! ! Use code: INMYSANCTUARY15 for a special discount.
If you want to support more creative work like this and further collaborations with Black business owners and creatives, you can donate to our Fall Fundraiser. Proceeds will help this community continue to grow and thrive while supporting an increasing mix of new creative voices and visions. More publications, more workshops and opportunities - including the WoC Writers Grants, which this year will be given to four outstanding members of the Spoken Black Girl Community.
Photo Credit : Steven Jermaine @5amtoday Photo Features: the lovely hands of Laura Cepeda