Black History is not just the past, it’s the present.
It’s written as we speak. Every photo, protest, poem and post shared propelled the movements that define Black History today. Facebook is not the author of these stories, we are merely the page on which they are written. From Black Boy Joy to Black Girl Magic to Black Health Matters, we set out to demonstrate how Black History is written across our platforms by elevating the voices of the people who are writing it every day.
Because Black History is not one month.
Black History is written everyday.
Production Company: Serial Pictures
Director: Bradford Young
Content Producer: Nicholas Blair
Silver Winner Anthem Awards (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/Awareness & Media Categories)
Black Health Matters
“Black History begins at Black breath. We are neither the past, nor the present. Black History rattles the linear passage of time. We are the continuity of moments shared between us. Every Black child that’s born, that’s history. That’s Black History.” - Bradford Young
It is our honor to partner with the Oscar award-winning cinematographer and director, Bradford Young, to create the four-part series “Black History Written By.” As the voice and vision behind these films, he interviewed and captured the people who are making waves in the Black community every day. This is the first chapter.
From mental health to maternal health, Black health is a critical chapter in Black History. Throughout this film Bradford Young, connects Black health to Black healing through the stories of Ashley M. and Na’imah D.
Ashley M. started the Washington Therapy Fund Foundation to provide free mental health services that help Black clients and therapists create radical emotional progress. As a doula, Na’imah D. creates environments for Black mothers to feel protected, especially when women of color are disproportionately impacted by complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
“I truly see birth as an opportunity for healing,” says Na’imah D. Director Bradford Young opens and ends this film with the visual metaphor of water to symbolize birth. “Within Black culture, water is a universal concept around reconciliation, forgiveness and healing,” says Bradford Young. “It’s how we've been able to survive oppression for so long. This is actually an opportunity for us to start again.”
Black Girl Magic
“Black Girl Magic = Social Harmonics
Black women use interpersonal affirmations as gestures of sisterhood. The magic is in our community-making and the premonitions of our possibility. Regardless of the seemingly impossible or insurmountable, Black women have always harnessed creativity and the presence of wise patience. Our hair braiding, our quilting, even our jump-roping and our dancing all represent the many dimensions of how Black women beautify our brilliance every chance we get.” - Bradford Young
In the second chapter of “Black History Written By,” Academy award-winning cinematographer and director Bradford Young tells the stories of women from Congo to Chicago who embody Black Girl Magic as they write their own history every day.
Stella S. draws inspiration from the people and places around her and channels that creativity into her clothing line, Zapenda.
By highlighting the multiplicity of her subjects, the photographer Kennedi C. aims to reinvent notions of creativity and confidence in the realm of Blackness.
Yelitsa J.C. believes in the power artists and designers have to change the world. That’s why she created Healthy Roots Dolls to teach young, Black children how to fall in love with their natural hair.
In Chicago, FroSkate is proving that Black Girl Magic defies gender by creating a safe and welcoming space for Black femme skaters.
Black Boy Joy
“Protecting the joy, vulnerability, and innocence of Black boys has been a huge part of this generation’s representation of masculinity. We want to preserve the wonder and adventure of Black boys exploring their emotional landscapes of care, play and introspection.” - Bradford Young
In this chapter of “Black History Written By,” Academy award-winning cinematographer and director Bradford Young tells the stories of a chef, snowboarder and musicians who embody their own version of Black Boy Joy as they write Black History every day.
Edouardo J. honors the recipes of his ancestors and creates new ones at his two restaurants in Seattle, Salare and JuneBaby.
On the slopes of Colorado, Brian R. Jr. is on track to be the first Black U.S. snowboarder in the Winter Olympics.
Black Violin is a classical, hip hop duo that is changing the perception of Black men, and the violin, through their music.