Despite our villainous, fascist, and racist government trying to dictate what is and isn’t a national history month, FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. We are deeply grateful for the revolutionary Black voices shaping our world. Now more than ever, it’s essential that we listen to Black artists, educators, creatives, and activists whose work enriches our lives and challenges the systems that aim to silence them. While there are countless Black voices we should be hearing from every day—especially those in our own communities—this list highlights a few who are shaping conversations on Black history, fashion, environmentalism, politics, and so much more.
I first discovered Ismatu Gwendolyn on TikTok through a video that led me to their essay, "You've been traumatized into hating reading (and it makes you easier to oppress)." The Sierra Leonean activist, author, poet, and educator writes on anti-capitalism, Black feminism, and liberation and is the mind behind the essay-podcast platform Threadings. With a background in global health, they are also a publicly funded clinician and public scholar.
Laiyonelth Hurtado is a truly radiant force in sustainable fashion and environmental activism. The Afro-Colombian environmentalist has dedicated his work to organizations like Remake, Synergy Social, and Vocalmente Visibles, and is also an artist who weaves together humanity, fashion, empathy, and the natural worlds in his creations.
Kara Roselle is an Afro-Indigenous model, author, creator, and member of the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag tribe dedicated to storytelling and activism. She uses her platform to reclaim narratives, uplift ancestral knowledge, and advocate for Indigenous and Black liberation through decolonization and community healing.
Whitney McGuire, former sustainability director at the Guggenheim, is an advocate for integrating sustainability into the world of art and fashion. She works to explore how sustainability can be woven into creative practices and challenge institutions to rethink their impact on the planet.
Rian Phin, our fave online fashion philosopher, is always there to help us understand the politics, stories, and cultural significance behind what we wear. Her work involves redefining fashion through a critical lens, encouraging us to think about the history, labor, and identity woven into every garment, collection, and designer.
