On this beautiful day, the very start of Black History Month, I am excited to introduce the fundraiser for my very first narrative short film titled “For Peace of Mind” (Link in bio)
The film is about a Black Muslim mother who follows her daughter across the country just when it seems like the world is about to end. This film is about reconciliation, survival, and love between Black mothers and daughters.
I know there is so much going on in the world and it can feel like A LOT sometimes so a part of the funds we raise are going to be donated to an environmental justice organization that I will share further into the campaign.
I would appreciate any support you can give. Sending lots of peace to everyone. Stay strong and stay kind. I’m so proud of and grateful to my team for constantly pushing me to be greater @nationofism@philinese_@moun.sous
Song by our lead @cleoforshort !!
46 pages done. Thank you to everyone who participated in my table read. You are all SO TALENTED I wanted to cry.
This year I had the pleasure of joining The Writer’s Colony, a writing residency hosted by @story27productions and @marabrockakil . The greatest part of this journey has been (re)learning, not my process for execution, but my process for creation. That spiritual pasting together of ideas onto blank space. I would say this entire year has been about that for me. I finished shooting my short @fpomfilm , I finished writing a pilot, and now I’m working on more scripts, a play even. I avoided writing for so long because maybe I had some vague fear of spotlight. Maybe it wasn’t exciting enough. But this process has reminded me how much joy I get from making stories and I am excited to play again.
Shout out to my cohort sisters @histacyg@ej__9000 #niambi
Thank you to @nataliee.guerrero for being the guide and @brooklynn_fields for being the soul.
Thank you @jowaansully for casting 🫶🏾
Photos by @iamkendraharris
Today is the release of @cleoforshort ’s new folktronic record “CUNTRY” and I’m so proud of them!
Styling team was my girl @kachiosuri <—
Film developed at @arthousefilmlab
Not to make it about me (teehee) but I’m glad I could be a part of this release even with simply photography because we need more voices like Cleo, more people who are not afraid of truth. And watching them grow into their voice has been lovely to witness.
This moment also begs the question, what does it mean to be Black and American? Are we allowed to take pride in what we’ve built without carrying the shame of the America’s global destruction? And how are the girlies and the gays going about this? Would love answers.
(Cover art and video not my work)
Okay this year was tough. Lots of growing pains. To all of the people who saw me in the process and didn’t give up, Ily. To the people I lost and let go of, bless your heart.
2024 was a hit too though, CLOCK IT
Nicole Miller for LA Times
Danica Nava for High Country News
Dronme Davis for New York Times
Fana Hues for Overeverything Music
Visual Poetry with @genelambrose
Branded Storyteller to Watch at @thegotham week
Me on the 2nd highest mountain in the Adirondacks
The coven of my dreams
When my sister came to visit 🥹(featuring @_saylex )
Me and @_saylex ‘s wholesome ass friendship
Queen @sunny.ade is married yall!!
Also @greenranger had a baby!!!!
LOML 😍@madeleine.dalla
Me and @shidehkafei need more photos
Photo of me by @_saylex@totheppl.studio open for business :)
Some photos from my TONYA series exhibited at the Newark Museum thanks to @hycide_hyze@hycide
Newark is for artists!!
(Last photo is how I feel after taking two red eyes to be in and out for this event sheesh)
MY PHOTOS WILL BE ON THE WALLS OF THE NEWARK MUSEUM. A place I’ve been going since I was a just a wee artista. Listen I know we’re all feeling the weight of the times right now. But this is something I thought worth celebrating. The photo series is called TONYA and will be exhibited at the @newarkarts Newark Arts Festival’s Reimagining Legacy Day on Saturday, October 12, from 6-9pm at the @newarkmuseumart for the HYCIDE book launch party and exhibition by founder and editor-in-chief @hycide_hyze ! Come thru!
Photo team
Model @jadareneebland
Light @claireamiller
Styling @localcoolgirl
Makeup @cirstyburton
Hair @orlandogeorgehair
