Everyday I say affirmations. Every single morning I wake up and say out loud what I know to be true of myself. A simple affirmation can be monumental. It can positively change your life. Much of what we deal with as Black people tells us that we are not enough, therefore we must nourish ourselves with the encouraging and the affirmative to counteract the bad.

I have a long laundry list of what I see is lacking to support Black people and an even longer one as it concerns Black women. We’re tired of being the “mule of the world” and having everyone and their daddy dump on us when it’s most convenient. Realistically we’ve been tired for a long time, and I’m personally exhausted. But as a good friend reminds me, instead of complaining; let’s work on a solution.

Moving to Atlanta, I really appreciate being surrounded by Black excellence in all its forms from entertainment to sports to business. If there’s a real life Wakanda in America, besides a Howard University homecoming, then this must be it. With all its splendor, the thriving movie business, and the blossoming art scene, Atlanta has become a black mecca. But even an oasis has its desert. I realized that not enough spaces were being carved out to honor black women. Amongst the girlfriends that I have in Atlanta, every single one of them is pushing the envelope as it concerns women’s empowerment, so how can I be part of this phenomenal collective and not do my part?

And so, my Hey Brown Girl mural was born.

The idea for the Hey Brown Girl mural was birthed from a deep place of needing to be seen and needing to be heard. Everyday I see murals in the city created by people of color, but I rarely see murals specifically dedicated to women of color. When Pledge World by blu, an organization helping adults fulfill their dreams, approached me with an opportunity to create whatever I wanted I knew exactly what to do: create a mural for brown girls everywhere with love from myself and my organization Black Girl Beautiful.”

Though I’d dreamed about what this mural would be for a couple of years, it took weeks of talks and creative heart-to-hearts for our mural artist Faatimah Stevens and I to work out the design. Her eye and her imagination united perfectly with my vision. That was the easy part. The challenge came when we were tasked with one week to complete the mural. When Black women decide we’re going to do something, you’d better step back or get run over because we’re going to do it. Armed with a female crew determined to meet our deadline no matter what, we worked our asses off to get the mural done. Not even rain and storms could hold us back from finishing that piece of art. As colors came to together and the letters of the message began to take form, everyone who encountered the wall sensed the impact it would have.

The mural features not just a powerful statement but also a powerful image. The woman is my friend Mary Akpa and the line work is based on an image from a Black Girl Beautiful photography series by Nikk Rich called Monarch featuring crowns by sculpture artist Kristine Mays. Needless to say, this mural is a team effort and a testament to the power of collaboration.

“Hey Brown Girl You’re Beautiful!” With this bold statement, I pledge my commitment to uplifting black and brown women in Atlanta and beyond. This mural is my love letter to you.You are all that glitters and shines in this world. What a simple message, yet incredibly powerful for all who see it. And brown girl, I see you.

Nikia Phoenix

Writing since April 2019 · 1 story contributed