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blackexcellence · 1 year

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We posted 377 times in 2022

That's 67 more posts than 2021!

91 posts created (24%)

286 posts reblogged (76%)

Blogs we reblogged the most:

@fyblackwomenart

@beautiful-now

@mimi-0007

@dreams-in-blk

We tagged 366 of my posts in 2022

Only 3% of our posts had no tags

#blackexcellence365 - 333 posts

#black excellence - 311 posts

#blackexcellence - 310 posts

#black tumblr - 271 posts

#melanin - 222 posts

#black culture - 169 posts

#black girl magic - 133 posts

#black history - 119 posts

#black lives matter - 93 posts

#black excellence 365 - 79 posts

Longest Tag: 38 characters

#anniversary of breonna taylor's murder

My #1 post of 2022

CONFIRMED 🎉👩🏾‍⚖️

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will become the 116th Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court and the FIRST Black woman to sit in the highest court.

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33,188 notes - Posted April 7, 2022

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Our Top Posts in 2022:

Happy Black Joy Month, Tumblr!

It’s February on @blackexcellence, and we’re embarking on the fourth year of BlackExcellence365, where we celebrate Black history 24/7, 365 days of the year. BlackExcellence365 is a community celebration of you, your world, Black achievement of every stripe—from the arts to sports to social justice. Join us in our celebration of Black Joy.

Black Excellence is Revolutionary.

Black Resilience is Revolutionary.

Black Joy is Revolutionary.

Black Joy is Black Excellence.

If you are a Black creative, look out for opportunities to showcase your expressions of Black joy—from art, dance, fashion, writing, music, photography, film, to everything in-between.

Each month, we’ll be coming to you with themes like Black Girl Magic, Black Power, and Black Boy Joy. We’ll be sharing interviews, spotlights, and a collaborative playlist featuring the very best Black talent.

Follow our Today In Black Excellence series to learn about the icons and history-makers our Creatrs love—with artist depictions and fun facts about game-changing athletes, writers, and activists, past and present, who have all changed the world.

However you express joy—join in, follow, and share using the tags #BlackExcellence365, #BlackJoy, and #BlackJoyIsBlackExcellence. The Black experience is too often characterized by struggle, pain and trauma: let’s challenge that by exploring joy, amplifying these voices and stories, and changing the narrative.

Welcome to #BlackExcellence365 ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽!

6,301 notes - Posted February 1, 2022

Today in Black Excellence: Shirley Chisholm, the first African American—and the first woman—to seek nomination for President.

“I want history to remember me... not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of The United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be herself. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change in America.”

—Shirley Chisholm

Chisholm wanted to be remembered as a “catalyst for change.” What did she do?

Shirley Anita Chisholm was a politician, educator, and writer. There would be no Barack Obama or Kamala Harris without her—she was a trailblazer in every sense of the word.

Citing her “double-handicap” of being a Black woman, Chisholm initially rejected a political career but became increasingly engaged in fighting racial and gender inequality. She eventually joined the Democratic Party in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, winning a seat in the United States Congress in 1968, and becoming the first Black woman to do so.

What did she achieve in politics?

With a seat at the table, “Fighting Shirley” introduced over 50 pieces of legislation on behalf of the poor, protesting racial and gender inequality. She became a fierce critic of the Vietnam War when opposition to the war was considered radical. Her outspoken assault on injustice earned her few friends in the white political establishment.

While campaigning for the 1972 primaries, Chisholm was allowed only one speech in televised debates and was otherwise blocked from participation. Despite this, students, women, and minorities proved loyal supporters: In 12 primaries, she garnered 152 (10%) of delegates’ votes, despite a poorly financed campaign and widespread political hostility.

The 1972 primaries also displayed her remarkable character, when she chose to visit racist and segregationist Governor George Wallace of Alabama in hospital after a failed assassination attempt.

After retiring from Congress in 1983, Chisholm taught at Mount Holyoke College and co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women.

Original portrait by Tumblr Creatr @banana-peppers

“It was an honor to create a piece celebrating Shirley Chisholm. She was the first Black woman elected to Congress and to seek a major party nomination for presidency. Her trailblazing career is truly inspiring and I wanted to capture her power, her bravery and her magic. Her motto Unbought and Unbossed implores us to forge our own path no matter what obstacles try to stand in our way."

—@banana-peppers

6,957 notes - Posted February 2, 2022

Today in Black Excellence: Maya Angelou—a literature titan whose 1969 memoir was the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

What was the early life of Maya Angelou?

She became a celebrated writer and Black icon, but it came from a childhood of tragedy. Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou was quickly exposed to racism as a child. Her parents split when she was young, and while visiting her mother, aged eight, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend: her uncles killed the boyfriend in revenge. These horrors left Angelou mute for five years, as she discussed in an interview with Oprah, a close friend. At age 16, she gave birth and was forced to work grueling jobs to support her son—including fry cook, sex worker, and nightclub performer.

She recounted her traumas to close friend James Baldwin—fellow writer and Black icon. He challenged Angelou to write about her experiences, and she published the wildly successful memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It catapulted Angelou to international stardom and was nominated for a National Book Award in 1970. It remained on The New York Times’ paperback nonfiction bestseller list for two years—the longest record in history.

What made her such a Black icon?

Angelou was a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated on her birthday in 1968. Angelou stopped celebrating her birthday for years afterward. In 1964, Angelou helped another activist friend Malcolm X in founding the Organization of Afro-American Unity.

Spanning over 50 years, she published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, books of poetry, and plays. Her 1971 poetry collection, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’Fore I Die, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Because of her tireless work in literature and political activism, Angelou became widely respected as a spokesperson for the Black experience, particularly of women. You can even find her legacy in your pocket—she recently became the first black woman to appear on a US quarter.

Original portrait by Tumblr Creatr @inuqo

"I was filled with such deep gratitude while working on this illustration of Maya Angelou. Her talent, creativity, strength, power and resilience is inspiring to us all and I wanted to display how beautiful her Universe was. How important her words and life's journey was because it showed us that no matter how hard we fall, still we can rise".”

—@inuqo

7,902 notes - Posted February 23, 2022

Today in Black Excellence: Dapper Dan—the underground fashion icon who made history as the first Black designer to receive CFDA’s lifetime achievement award.

“I don’t give a damn about failure. I was born part of failure. We are the phoenix—all of us here in America, every black man, woman, and child are part of the phoenix, still rising from those ashes. All my life is about getting knocked down and getting back up. I don’t care. It’s fun!”—Dapper Dan.

What’s Dapper Dan’s story?

Born Daniel Day on August 8, 1944, in Harlem, New York City, into a working-class family. By 13, he was making thousands a day after teaching himself gambling. By the 70s, Dan first sold items out of his car, and in 1982, the iconic Dapper Dan’s Boutique had its grand opening —open 24/7.

Dan is self-taught—from his fabrics and leather printing, to his creations of unique textiles featuring Louis Vuitton and Gucci logos. His designs became synonymous with 80s hip-hop—but Dan was neglected by the fashion world, and his illegal use of major label logos led to police raids. Local attention became Global; European luxury fashion companies like Fendi caught wind and promptly took legal action. Dapper Dan’s Boutique was shut down in 1992. Ever the hustler, he continued working underground.

How did he come to win the CFDA award?

Ironically, to say the least, and on his own terms in true Dapper Dan style. Fans were outraged when they noticed Gucci steal one of his classic designs for a major show. The coat was first made for Olympian Diane Dixon, and she posted on Instagram: “Give Dapper Dan his credit. He did it first in 1989!” Incredibly, Gucci accepted its wrongdoing and sparked his career into new life when it offered a partnership.

At age 77, he made history as the first Black fashion designer honored with the CFDA’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the first designer to receive the honor without ever doing a solo fashion show. Truly the epitome of Black excellence.

Original portrait by Tumblr Creatr @patiencelekienart

There’s a quote by Faith Cummings that says, “We still struggle to garner a seat at the table. Even though we’ve oft built the table ourselves.” As a Black Creative, this is a reality many of us face. And Dapper Dan is a modern representation of just that—Black Excellence. He exemplifies how and why our contributions to culture often define culture. It was an honor dedicating this piece to him, as an extension of my gratitude and appreciation for the path he has paved for all Black Creatives. Thank you Dapper Dan.

—@patiencelekienart

8,573 notes - Posted February 16, 2022

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#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

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the-seas-song · 2 years

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We Deserve Better

I have just started watching PRIDE: To Be Seen by Soul of a Nation. The opening has left me angry and tired, because once again, Los Angeles gets completely ignored and written out of queer history.

The documentary starts with Alok saying, “Iconic leaders who started Pride, by protesting that fateful night at Stonewall in 1969. They'd had enough.”

A few minutes later, Cara Delevingne says, “It's been more than fifty years since trans and queer people rebelled at New York Stonewall inn.”

I want to be clear - I have no problems with Alok or Cara. However, these statements are not true. They are factually wrong, and immedietly bring the entire documentary’s legitimacy into question - if the first five minutes can’t get the most basic facts about Pride’s origin right, what does that say about the rest of it?

The literal definition of a documentary is “a movie or a television or radio program that provides a factual record or report.” It’s not a true documentary if it has no fact-checkers, or worse - so called ‘fact-checkers’ who sign off on lies.

Here are the facts:

“But it wasn't only a much freer way of life that vast and populous Los Angeles made possible for the exiles. Los Angeles also freed them to think in new ways, break new ground, and serve as midwives to the worldwide GLBT movements. Where was the first lesbian magazine in America published? The first gay magazine? Where was the first ongoing gay political organization established? The first GLBT church? The first GLBT synagogue? The first GLBT community center? The answer is Los Angeles. During the past 50 years, GLBT life has been dramatically transformed all over America and in Western Europe, and Los Angeles has led the way.” - Lillian Faderman

1947: 1st lesbian mag Vice Versa.

1950: Harry Hay started the Mattachine Society.

1953: 1st gay mag ONE.

1954: first gay motorcycle club, the Satyrs MC.

1958: ONE mag had 1st LGBTQ win in the Supreme Court.

1959: 1st LGBTQ riot against police, the Cooper Do-nuts riot.

1966: 1st PRIDE organization (and use of the word “pride” in queer context), Personal Rights through Defense and Education. 1966: 1st LBTQ parade, 15 car motorcade by the Los Angeles Committee to Fight Exclusion of Homosexuals from the Armed Forces.

1966/67: new years eve Black Cat Tavern raid & protests against police.

1967: PRIDE starts the The Los Angeles Advocate in response to Black Cat (is renamed The Advocate in 1969).

1968: First gay church, the Metropolitan Community Church founded & did 1st public marriage. 1968: GLF did 1st Gay-In festivals, Griffith Park.

1968: The Patch bar, led by owner Lee Glaze, did flower-power protest in LAPD station.

1969: The Los Angeles LGBT Center started as The Gay Community Services Center, 1st service center and 1st nonprofit to have the word 'gay' in its name, in 1971 created 1st houses for homeless LGBTQ ppl “Liberation Houses”; today it is the largest LGBTQ facility in the world.

1970: 1st legally permitted pride parade, L.A. Gay Pride Parade (won supreme court battle over it; moved from Hollywood to West Hollywood in 1979).

1971: Gay Women’s Service Center started in Echo Park.

1972: 1st LGBTQ synagogue, Beth Chayim Chadashim.

1988: 1st black gay magazine BLK.

Overview: The books Gay L.A. by Lillian Faderman and Lavender Los Angeles by Roots of Equality

You can find information about all of these events on google. There is no excuse for this trend of misinformation to continue. Give Los Angeles the credit we deserve.

#Los Angeles #Pride #LBGTQ #Lesbian #PRIDE: To Be Seen #Soul of a Nation #Alok #Cara Delevingne #Mine #Truth

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dankusner · 1 month

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1994 The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a parody that pokes fun at an original work can be considered “fair use.”

Music 'What aDay, What aDay' Erykah Badu's Birthday Bash brought together generations of talent. BY ERIC DIEP Erykah Badu si for everyone.

With her birthday approaching, the singer entered "the Level 53 Final boss" era, atagline for her birthday bash concert on Saturday. But the prior week, she offered a deeply thoughtful explanation of why she's for the people.

Badu is famously spiritual and draws from her African ancestry to make connections, becoming aguiding light for her fans.

When DART announced an initiative to honor the Dallas legend with her very own Badu Bus, she was asked in a WFAA interview about the significance during Black His- tory Month of having her face on a bus in the city where she grew up—acity where her ancestors couldn't have taken a seat on the bus.

"That's why I chose the seat at the front. Not only ma I ta the front, Iam also at the back and ni the middle," she said ni the video. "Irepresent every single human being ni this city. Those who made mistakes, those who had to overcome trag- edy. The happy, the sad, the rich, the poor. I represent al people." On abusy Saturday night ni Deep Elum, the Dallas faith- ful came ot The Factory for her annual birthday bash, ni what has become atradition, to celebrate the fashion icon and the queen of neo-soul. The sold-out show promised a night of entertainment with hosts Bootz and Nayrok and performances by Rapsody, The Alchemist and Larry June.

The four-time Grammy winner's birthday bashes have become aperennial occurrence ni Dallas since at least 2013, when she celebrated with a concert at the Granada Theater. In the past, the lineups have been stacked with special guests and celebrity friends including Dave Chappelle, Jada Pinkett Smith and WILLOW, Marc Rebillet, André 3000, Yasiin Bey, Talib Kweli, Leon Bridges, Raekwon, Bun B, Bgi- XThaPlug and more. At last year's concert, Badu received the first-ever Key to Deep Ellum from the Deep Ellum Foun- dation. The event recognized the importance of her artistic inspiration to artists and creatives worldwide, as the historic neighborhood celebrated 150 years. Between 20-minute sets that were well-paced, playful banter between the hosts about how many times they were hitting That Badu her cannabis line ni collaboration with Cookies) backstage, and a twerk contest, this was arguably the best night for first-time birthday bash goers - who seemed ot fil pu hte majority of hte room. As soon as the venue doors opened, someone burned smudging sage to clear the space of bad energy. One of her merch items leaned into metaphysics humor: "I Got a Crystal Shoved Up My As At an Erykah Badu Concert & Al I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."

The tone was set from the beginning. The concert felt like afestival jammed-pack into afour- hour block. The artists seemed ot respect the fact they weren't the star of the show, but gave their best. Rapsody teased the album she's been working on for the past four years with her new single "Asteroids." Widely considered one of the most lyrical MCs, she busted rhymes with no help of abacking track, and showed off her vocal range by using different voices and flows for her songs with BLK ODYSY. The "Dear Rapsody, Where's the Album?" campaign si start-

youtube

#Youtube

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