The concept of Black Girl Alchemy is a philosophy and programmatic approach originally presented by Black Women (specifically Dr. Nia Nunn, and Nydia Blas) from Southside Community Center to describe an experience of human beings creating and transforming through a seemingly magical process. BGA work recognizes that when the community prioritizes the voices and creative works of Black Girls & Women, everybody benefits. The work is a curriculum of liberation designed to combat historical and current social conditions negatively impacting Black Girls & Women. While everyone will enjoy the beauty of the publicly displayed art and projects created, the empowerment process and education creates and honors a culture of sisterhood and innovation that fosters Black Girl liberation in Ithaca, N.Y.
This year, I have an opportunity to work with Dr. Nia and Black Girl Alchemists on another glorious Black Girl Alchemist (BGA) mosaic mural like the one we created together on the front of the Southside Community Center. This (smaller) project will (eventually) be on the front of the Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center!
Black Girls were invited to come and draw their Black JOY! The event, held at Southside Community Park, celebrated the life of Dejour Gandy, a beloved teacher at the Children’s Center and cherished son, cousin, and born-and-raised member of the Ithaca community. The mosaic will have Black Girl’s illustrations and expressions of Black Joy, all of which Dejour embodied. Like far too many Black murders, Dejour’s tragic loss was followed by mistreatment of and disregard for his life –a dehumanizing response to his death by local police, medical personnel, and media; systemically de-valuing of his life. The BGA experience is about deeply reflective representation and reclaiming narratives that honor Black bodies, Black lives, and Black Joy.
Here are some images of Black Joy, as drawn by Black Girl Alchemists:
