DIVINE Issue II | To Be Young, To Be Black, To Be Creative. Issue IV
Announcing Issue II of DIVINE and sharing some of the creatives featured in the zine. DIVINE Issue II coming soon...
Gif by Jada E Gainer.
Black Unicorn
Audre Lorde
The black unicorn is greedy.
The black unicorn is impatient.
The black unicorn was mistaken
for a shadow
or a symbol
and taken
through a cold country
where mist painted mockeries
of my fury.
It is not on her lap where the horn rests
but deep in her moonpit growing.
The black unicorn is restless
the black unicorn is unrelenting
the black unicorn is not
free.
This poem, by Black lesbian activist and a strong force of nature, Audre Lorde, resonates with me because I am this Black unicorn. Restless and unrelenting, trying to free myself and my people from the chains of eurocentrism, whiteness, heteronormativity, and the many other barriers that have tried to block us from succeeding. The work I do, as a writer, creator, spiritualist, and the many other roles I hold, is driven by generations of anger and my desire for a better future. I want to free us from these barriers America have created to dim our light and hinder our talents. My goal is to create a platform for my people, to amplify the voices of those who, too, live at the margins with the many racial, ethnic, economic, sexual, and other intersectionalities that further push us from the “norm.” Within those margins, live so many other Black unicorns, doing the work to make a name for themselves, provoke change, redefine what it means to be [insert identity here], and shift the narrative. It’s beautiful and inspiring that there are so many young, Black creatives, Black unicorns, out in the world doing the work to build themselves up and build up others. What’s even more striking and powerful, is when there is a community of Black unicorns creating a foundation in which all are supported by one another and work as a collective to make change, tear down blocks and barriers, and start new conversations. And that’s my goal with my next zine, which is more than a zine, it is a community, a movement, a network of young, Black creatives doing the damn thing! Putting themselves out there, creating work that sparks new ideas, producing projects that catch the eyes of many, using their artistic talents to challenge the “norm”—doing the unbelievable under unimaginable circumstances.
With that, I present to you Issue II of DIVINE, The Young, The Black, The Creative. As stated prior, this issue will be far more than just a zine, it will become a community and network of young, Black creatives, entrepreneurs, activists, and then some. While I can only share so much, I want to introduce these young, Black creatives who will be the first members of this network. Please be sure to support these creatives by following their social media, sharing their work, and being on the lookout for the release of DIVINE Issue II The Young, The Black, The Creative.
to be young, to be Black, to be creative
Instagram usernames are italicized.
Adora @nastyickyvicky | Fashion Designer
Ahmrii @ahmriijohnson | Designer & Visual Artist
Amiri Nash @amiriphotos | Photographer & Writer
Asé @ania.lation | Business Owner, Rapper & Singer
Asia Alexander @i.am.asia | CEO & Podcaster
Blay @blay.atelier | Creative Director & Fashion Designer
Brianna Hawley @artbyhawley | Graphic Designer & Visual Artist
Britney @britney_anderson_ | Visual Artist
Brynn @brxynn | Freelance Print & Runway Model
“To be a young Black creative...hm. To me it means to be aware of everything around you in every aspect while speaking your truth in a way that is personal. I tried to sum that up in a sentence but it’s a long conversation that is ongoing. To be Black is everything, to be young is a privilege, and to be a creative? The master of your own work and destiny? Combining all of those aspects make you powerful beyond imagination.” Blay
Calvin Carmichael @calthedash | Creative Director, Producer & Model
Celeste Gray @fudoceleste | Writer
Charli Dahni @charlidahni | Producer, Singer & Songwriter
Cyndia Mosley @cynthecyna | Visual Artist
Eric H. Easter @eric.h.easter | Actor, Filmmaker, Model & Write
Hameed Nelson @hameednel | Multimedia Creative
Internet X @internet.x | Music Artist & Songwriter
“To stray from the norm and empower our people through art forms where we can connect on a deeper level. No matter who we are.” Eric H. Easter
Jaya Nicole @m00dyphotography | Visual Artist
Jdvst @jdvst | Musician
Joey Colassa @joeycolassa | Artist in Fine Arts & Writer
Jonetta Harrison @jonettedreana | Photographer
Joshslowe @tribecalledjosh | Photographer
Kara Kaizen @karakaizen | Synthetic Creative
LaTayna Janteya @latanya.janteya | Choreography & Dancer
Laura Colbert @lashesbylaurenc | Business Owner
Leena Daicon @leenadaicon | Model
Lexi Brown @lexibrownphotos @thriftsforu | Creative, Business Owner & Visual Artist
Loui Bangz @louidrawzzz | Visual Artist
“To be young, to be Black, to be creative, to be STOIC.” Jdvst
Mahksmoves @markmoves | Dancer
Marcus Alston-Lukasiak @marcus.lukasiak | Activist
Mari Jade @synfulkisses | Business Owner
Meka Shantel @officialmeka_ | Actress, Dancer & Model
Midnight Swami @midnightswamii | Rapper
Neiori @lh4rtSki | Visual Artist
Nia Stanford @fruitnia | Filmmaker & Video Content Creator
Niara Sapp @niarasapp | Filmmaker
Nichele Olivia-Lanett @nichele.washington | Business Owner & Writer
Niobe @niobecosmetics | Entrepreneur
Nyarai Khepra @nyaraai | Poet
“In my opinion, to be young, Black and creative means you are an innately humbled and culturally engaged visionary. ” Nichele Olivia-Lanett
Rah @yp_rah | Visual Artist
Ralphgotstacks @ralphgotstacks | Artist
Rashad Awesome Heagle @eyeoftheheagle | Photographer
RetroCurry @retrocurry | Multimedia Creator
Ricardo Amante @r.mnte | Multimedia Creative (Music Focus)
Ryan K @onlyryan | Visual Artist
Safa @universall_ | Vocalist
Siobhán O’Brien @whoissio | Writer
Sky Marie Stringer @litybitysky | Actor
Skylah Jimenez @skylahjimenez | Multimedia Creative
Styles Bond @stylesbond | DJ & Multimedia Artist
“To be young, to be Black, to be creative, to be UNDENIABLY CAPABLE. ” Ricardo Amante
Taylor Butler @contactmuatay | Freelance Makeup Artist
Taylor Cimone Tompkins @taylorcimone | Actor, Dramaturg, Model, Singer & Writer
Tina Tona @bytinatona | Multimedia Creative
Tinika Bright @tinika_b18 | Actor, Director & Writer
TinoHendrixx @tino_hendrixx | Business Owner, Fashion Designer, Model & Musician
Trinity Anthony @trinitykelia | Multimedia Creative
“It means freedom. This is the time to be young Black and creative. When is another time in history when it was respected and encouraged to be creative or Black? That’s right, never. It means I get to explore where I come from by looking to my Black brothers and sisters for inspiration. It means beauty to me. To be creative is a blessing in and of itself but to be Black too? Damn. That’s the jack pot. It means hardships but it also means invincible.” Taylor Cimone Tompkins
Vania @vaniadraws | Visual and Mixed-media Artist
Varda @vagabond.vee | Visual Artist
Vernon Thomas @poetic.bs | Poet & Visual Artist
Village Kid @officialvillagekid | Multimedia Creative
Whoskole @8thwondermag | Multimedia Creative
Winston Stewart @jad.a_ | Clothing Designer & Business Owner
WRTSOEL @_justwrt_ | Visual Artist
Zora-Renee @zorarenee.photos | Photography
Xtraness @xtra.ness | Business Owner, Creative Director & Model
“To be young, to be Black, to be creative, to be UNDENIABLY CAPABLE” Village Kid
I’m excited to go on this journey with these powerful, talented, and incredible artists. Much more information to come soon…
Are you a young, Black, creative/entrepreneur/activist? Would you like to be apart of the next issue of DIVINE? Sign up here.
What I’m reading: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. As stated before, she’s a large inspiration for me and why I do what I do. Take a nice evening to read a few of her poems.
On repeat: Lifted by OSHUN. WE YOUNG AND WE BLACK AND WE GOD SO WE GIFTED!
Who’s caught my eye: THESE YOUNG, BLACK CREATIVES! Follow them and support their work!