19-year-old artist Annabelle Hayford kicked off #DrawingWhileBlack to showcase the illustrations of black artists, and with more than 23,000 likes and over 9,000 retweets, the hashtag is doing just that.
hi my name is Annabelle✨I'm a first generation Ghanaian American animator and illustrator! I'm also the organizer of #drawingwhileblack ???????????? pic.twitter.com/mBVqbVPh8C
— Abelle✨????@ AnimeNYC (@sparklyfawn) September 15, 2017
The talented artist, who had been drawing since the age of four, began the hashtag with a clearly defined purpose.
Starting a hashtag event to celebrate and appreciate black artists this weekend !????????✊???????????????? RTs are greatly appreciated! #drawingwhileblack
pic.twitter.com/SFptXsuuMk— Abelle✨????@ AnimeNYC (@sparklyfawn) September 13, 2017
And the movement began.
Hi! My name is Cerena, I'm 16 years old I've been drawing since I was 6 #drawingwhileblack
pic.twitter.com/dWBEiiPQ5Z— Cerena Robertson (@ohsocerena) September 17, 2017
In a matter of days, #DrawingWhileBlack gained international momentum.
Finally something I can join.
My name is Denzel, a digital artist and fashion illustrator from Ghana#DrawingWhileBlack
pic.twitter.com/xkZAE2INO4— Denzel (@StunninDenzel) September 17, 2017
There was art with a purpose.
???????? Yo, My names Edouard. Im 18 and I illustrate characters. I want my art to change current views on manga and anime. #drawingwhileblack
pic.twitter.com/Bo6L794lNJ— XIX | AKAIO OFFICIAL (@AKAIOOFC) September 16, 2017
And an abundance of beautiful, melinated Black Girl Magic.
#drawingwhileblack two of my followers suggested I join, so here is my entry????????, a female Nigerian illustrator pic.twitter.com/DbIqDNW50l
— princess kay (@princess_kay__) September 16, 2017
So many genres.
I'm Phil. Costume concept artist for film. Projects include Black Panther, A Wrinkle in Time, Guardians of the Galaxy #drawingwhileblack
pic.twitter.com/fu9tisTec0— Phillip Boutte Jr. (@pboutte) September 17, 2017
So much talent.
My name is Ricardo Edwards, Jamaican visual artist. Create or DIE #drawingwhileblack
pic.twitter.com/up4lsULto9— Ricardo Edwards (@RicardoMEdwards) September 16, 2017
Come through D.J. Kirkland.
Am I late?! I'm D.J.! I'm super gay and I'm the artist on the upcoming monthly series 'Black Mage' published by OniPress! #drawingwhileblack
pic.twitter.com/5DkrQWteGs— D.J. Kirkland (@OhHeyDJ) September 16, 2017
We see every one of you!
Show @benkwash some love!
Name's Benjamin Kwashie from Ghana. Ballpoint pen #artist
#drawingwhileblack
#realismpic.twitter.com/gGs0ivdrmy— Pixels In Distress (@PixelsInDistres) September 21, 2017
Thank you Annabelle! We needed this.
