Dear SBG Friends,

Never did I think I would be writing my letter to you while quarantined at home in the midst of a pandemic. It’s not just that I never thought I’d live through a pandemic, although I can admit that I never seriously considered what that could mean until now, it’s more that I never realized I would still be so committed to this work even when everything seems to be falling apart. It’s often said that art imitates life, and lately, life has been calling for this thing called resilience, a theme conceived before the pandemic was even a thought in our minds. This new issue is arriving right on time. Art is energy giving - it inspires hope, and that’s what we all need right now.

I had several goals for the new issue of Spoken Black Girl Magazine. Number one was to showcase more writers and creatives. The new issue definitely delivers on that promise, with 20 writers, editors, photographers, mixed media artists, designers, and photographers contributing to the project. I wanted to improve the overall experience of reading the magazine by going digital. That’s right, the new Spoken Black Girl Magazine will be an immersive, visually rich, digital experience. It has been difficult to accept that the print industry is dying, particularly for magazines, but we are committed to keeping the experience of reading a magazine alive, even if we have to do it through your phones!

It was important for me to work with a Black woman fashion designer to be featured in the new issue. I wanted every aspect of the magazine to reflect pride in the Black identity. That’s why I teamed up with Bronx based designer XO Ndolo for the fabulous dress I’m wearing in this photoshoot. The story of this photoshoot is one of waiting, false starts, downsizing, and adaptability. Earlier this year, I envisioned a huge photoshoot featuring a handful of designers with various looks and models to be displayed all throughout the magazine. I quickly realized that organizing a shoot of that size would take a lot more planning and funding than our shoestring start-up budget could afford. Finally, I decided to work with one designer, Estella Ayuk, the fashion genius behind XO Ndolo, and we set up a time and place to shoot. Then COVID19 hit New York. We all gradually began to accept that traveling across boroughs to meet up and do a photoshoot was too risky. What is a magazine editor to do in this case? Well, I had Estella send my favorite of all of her dresses, this bright green and blue Ankara fabric wrap dress with geometric patterns made in the Ivory Coast, through the mail. Having one of my amazing photographer friends ( @5amtoday & @Vwell) come to visit was out of the question. I had to make do with my husband Daniel’s photography skills, which it turns out, were much better than expected! We walked five minutes from home to our local park, keeping our distance in masks and gloves. The deserted handball court was our studio.

“I was making art at a time when it seems like fear is being pushed harder than love, pleasure, and joy. Smiling felt revolutionary.”

The experience was liberating. I was making art at a time when it seems like fear is being pushed harder than love, pleasure, and joy. Smiling felt revolutionary. For a moment, I was able to escape the feeling of repulsion to everything around me. Truthfully, being outside lately has felt like walking brazenly through a war zone, a danger zone. I was afraid to touch anything. Afraid to be close to other humans. Afraid of intimacy with the world.

I was also reminded of the function of art - to document the times and make people feel something new, perhaps even see the world from a different perspective. I knew that I had to push through and produce the new issue of Spoken Black Girl Mag. The world needs art right now. And the world needs mental health advocacy. During these solitary times, when we have more time with our own thoughts than ever before, our mental health as a community is being put to the test. What have we learned over the years? The Spoken Black Girl Community has been championing self-care for years now and this body of work is truly representative of our resilience. I hope to present you with a publication that will refill your reserves and remind readers of all that we are and are capable of being.

So much has changed here at Spoken Black Girl. I expected to be inviting you all to an event space in New York for the launch of the second issue. Instead, I’m inviting you to Zoom! All month long, we are fundraising for our community of creatives, culminating in the launch of Spoken Black Girl Magazine 2: Resilience, which will be available in May for Mental Health Awareness Month. Expect readings from writers featured in Spoken Black Girl Magazine, an open mic session, giveaways, and self-care activities from amazing brands and more!. Make sure you’re signed up for our mailing list so you’ll be the first to know about the upcoming Spoken Black Girl events.

For now, I wish you and your loved ones an abundance of health. I pray that all of your needs are met. I pray that you find solace during difficult moments and that you find love in all of it’s hiding places during this time of uncertainty.

Always Love,

Rowana

Spoken Black Girl Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Spoken Black Girl Magazine Issue 2: Resilience - Letter from the Editor