Every U.S. President since 1976 has designated February as Black History Month. Which means every year of my life from childhood to a young Black womxn, as an artist and an educator, I’ve somehow experienced whatever that may mean. I’ve had my fair share of ways to “celebrate” the month but always found myself more focused on celebrating my Blackness year round than whatever was pushed at me in February.

This year I’ve decided to change the dialogue. I’m inspired by two of my favorite creators Kimberly Drew & Jenna Wortham and their project “Black Futures,” which began a few years ago then was collectively turned into a book at the end of 2020. The introduction of the book contains a letter from them both that encourages us to “nod to those we admire who are making history and doing something anew with it” to be intrigued by the “continuum of those who came before and those who will come after” as a way to create “guideposts for current and future generations” of curious souls. Be them Black or otherwise.

It is with this same spirit that I have chosen to use February as a collaborative exploration of my own journey as a an artist, writer, educator and Black womxn through the book Black Futures.

Collaboration is a part of my daily life. I find it essential, since to me to collaborate is to open yourself up to the words, ideas, actions and more importantly, collective strengths, of others in the work towards a common goal. My goal for the month of February 2021 is to allow myself to openly embrace and engage wherever possible with the work and words of Black hands and minds.

Come along with me! I invite you today to join me over the course of February 2021. I will be sharing out pieces from the book Black Futures (shout outs, stories, artworks, recipes, music, poetry, photos) twice a week on my Instagram: @always_be_painting and pairing them twice a week with my own artwork inspired by the journey. Then, I’ll be back here on Mondays, checking back in to reflect on the week prior and include any collaborative actions that have resulted from each leg of the journey.**

While this may begin on February 1st, as a nod to a tradition created in 1976, I plan to keep the collaboration alive for many months and years to come. We are not one month… “Blackness is infinite.”

** You may be wondering about the weekends… I’m reserving Saturday & Sundays for how they’re meant to be spent; collaborating with the ones you love, the family you’ve made and most importantly, for rest! _{(Please reference page 156 of Black Futures to read more about rest: “Black Power Naps” by Navild Acosta & Fannie Sosa)}

ZZ Makes Art

DC Based Artist & Educator
Corcoran College of Art + Design Alumni
Always painting, usually writing, making a living out of making art; I make my art work.