When They Erase, We Amplify (Issue #91)
A Defiant Celebration of Black History Month (+ My Curated Guide to Black Creators, Businesses & Stories You Need to Know)
Hi friends!
February sucks. Living in Minnesota, this time of year is just brutal. It’s cold, it’s barren, it’s snowy (and not in a cute way). As my dear friend Taylor sings: “All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February.” You can’t call this a metaphor for a particularly good time.
And yet, February is Black History Month. Of course, they gave Black people the shortest and shittiest month of the year (I joke, but also, if the Pride folks want to trade, we are taking offers). Still, this month is important, especially in this current political moment when discussions around race have become increasingly polarized.
In his inauguration speech, Trump made his stance clear:
"This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.”
It's a perfect snapshot of this era of conservative backlash. We're watching in real-time as federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are being dismantled while researchers and activists race to preserve this vital data before it disappears. Schools across the country face new restrictions on teaching U.S. history, particularly around race and racism. The trend is everywhere - federal agencies are canceling Black History Month events, and even Google recently removed Black History Month and other cultural celebrations from their default calendars.
If you’re a subscriber to this newsletter, I probably don’t need to tell you why Black History Month should be protected. In a country where the contributions of Black folks are undervalued and erased, a month dedicated to celebrating and uplifting these stories is needed. And for me, that means engaging with the full range of the Black experience – both what brings us joy and what’s difficult to talk about. The Obama era seemed marked by a greater emphasis on Black excellence and exceptionalism. But in 2020, those tides seemed to shift. People leaned heavily into Black trauma and some of the most difficult things we’ve endured throughout history. Either extreme falls short. Black folks aren’t a monolith, and we need to engage with the full range of the Black experience. Our successes, our struggles, and our diverse perspectives across the diaspora.
Many of this country's leaders have declared that the era of celebrating our differences is over. Watch me ignore that nonsense. Diversity isn't a trend to be discarded—it's our strength. When they try to erase our cultural heritage, we don't back down—we amplify it. We celebrate with intention, with defiance, with pride. To help you join this movement, I've compiled essential lists of Black history, creators, business owners, artists, and authors that deserve your attention and support. Right now and always. Check them out below!
🎧 Listen
Truer Crime Podcast - While many episodes explicitly deal with race, we’ve also covered a number of cases significant to Black history, including The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Joan Little, The Tulsa Race Massacre, and Jonestown.
Louder Than A Riot - An excellent show exploring music history from a really unique angle. Season 1 traces the interconnected history of hip-hop and mass incarceration, and season 2 dives into the stories of Black women and LGBTQ folks whose voices have long been underrepresented in the genre.
Empire City - This podcast explores the untold history of the NYPD, including its origins in slavery and the resistance from folks along the way.
📺 Watch
Rustin - A biopic about Bayard Rustin, a gay civil rights leader and trusted advisor of Martin Luther King Jr. whose impact on the movement is often untold.
Hidden Figures - This biographical drama tells the story of Black mathematicians Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, all of whom worked at NASA during the Space Race. Octavia Spender, Taraji P. Henson, and Janelle Monáe lead this absolutely stacked cast!
The Six Tripe Eight - Starring Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Sarah Jeffrey, and Oprah Winfrey, this Tyler Perry-directed movie tells the true story of the U.S. Army's 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only Women's Army Corps unit of color to be stationed in Europe during World War II.
Quincy - Winner of the Grammy Award for Best Music Film, this documentary follows the life and career of legendary singer and producer Quincy Jones.
Invisible Beauty - Chronicling the ongoing fight for diversity and representation in the fashion industry, this documentary tells the story of American fashion model and activist Bethann Hardison.
📚 Read
CBC: Tangled Roots: Decoding the history of Black Hair by Tayo Bero - In an interview with author Lori Tharps, this article explores the long history of Black hair from 15th-century West Africa to present-day America.
RollingStone: Linda Martell, Country’s Lost Pioneer by David Browne - You might recognize Linda Martell from her features on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter, but for decades her monumental impact on country music was largely overlooked. Martell was both the first commercially successful Black female country artist and the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry. This piece from 2020 paints a beautiful portrait of an artist worthy of more recognition.
NPR: A Short History of Black Comedy - For his book "Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh," stand-up comedian Darryl Littleton interviewed 125 comedians and industry people to help him paint a portrait of Black comedy in America. This interview with Littleton discusses his book and features some great highlights from his research.
Scientific American: Black Inventor Garrett Morgan Saved Countless Lives with Gas Mask and Improved Traffic Lights by Leo DeLuca - In the wake of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire, Garrett Morgan sought to invent something that could protect people from the devastating effects of smoke inhalation. And with that, the original gas mask was born! He later revolutionized traffic safety by patenting a three-position traffic signal, introducing the introduction of the yellow light we still use today that reminds drivers to ‘slow down’.
BiancaReneeToday - My go-to curly hair care resource! Bianca is fabulous, fun, and addicting to watch! She’s also a fun follow on Instagram.
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Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserCam Sullivan-Brown (on TikTok and Instagram) - I first discovered Cam after he appeared on Big Brother, and I've been hooked ever since! His videos on music strike the perfect balance – blending nostalgic hits with fresh discoveries that keep me coming back for more.
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Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserMargeaux (on Instagram and TikTok) - A friend recommended Margaux to me, and she's opened up a whole new world of music! While her taste differs from my usual genres, what makes her special is her incredibly diverse musical knowledge. She’s curated over 400 public Spotify playlists and uplevels her recommendations with fun artist interviews. Whether you're looking for something new or want to dive deep a set genre, her extensive collection is an absolute goldmine for music lovers.
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Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserSierra (on Instagram and TikTok) - Sierra makes great lifestyle content peppered with poignant advice, sisterly encouragement, and reminders about the importance of self-compassion.
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Shanspeare - Through entertaining and insightful YouTube video essays, Shanspeare blends academia with popular culture through videos on everything from the manosphere and Tradwives to true crime and fanfic culture.
Today I have not one but TWO Truer Crime episodes I want to make sure you don’t miss.
First is Five Thousand Dollars for a Death Sentence: Inside the Toforest Johnson Investigation w/ Beth Shelburne, a follow-up episode to a case I covered last week. Here’s the description:
“If you heard our last episode, you already know the case against Toforest Johnson is riddled with problems—key witnesses recanted, no physical evidence tied him to the crime, and even the original prosecutor now says he deserves a new trial. But there’s even more to this story.
In this follow-up conversation, investigative journalist Beth Shelburne peels back the layers of the case and shares what she uncovered while making Earwitness. We go deep into the tangled web of unreliable witnesses, missed leads, and the political forces keeping Toforest behind bars. Beth also reveals disturbing new details—ones that never made it into the courtroom but could change everything.”
Next is the first episode of a two-part exploration into the Manson Family murders:
“Charles Manson is a name synonymous with terror. But after decades of coverage, is there still something we’re missing about one of the most notorious figures in American crime? What forces shape the narratives we think we know? In the first chapter of a two-part deep dive, we’ll examine the Manson murders through a fresh lens, uncovering details that have long gone unnoticed. Sometimes, the most familiar stories require the closest look.”
You can listen to both episodes (along with many others) on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or by searching “Truer Crime” wherever you get your podcasts.
Pottery by @_ikokomi - I first featured Kemi and her work in Sincerely, Celisia a little over a year ago (scroll to the middle of this issue to check it out), and I proudly own multiple pieces of hers. She is based in New York City and regularly participates in local sales and pop-ups. She also occasionally opens commissions, so make sure to give her a follow!
KIN Apparel - Designed with curly hair in mind, KIN offers a wide range of satin-lined hats, hoodies, and more! As a Minnesota girl trying to survive the winter *without* messing up my hair every time I leave the house, this pom pom beanie and this headband have been my personal lifesavers.
Danessa Myricks Beauty - I found this makeup brand from a list of Black-owned businesses and decided to try the Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, the Colorfix Glaze (I got it in clear, but they have TONS of colors to choose from), and the Yummy Skin Lift & Flex Concealer. Danessa Myrecks has some great tutorials on her Instagram that helped me find my color match, and while I like all the products I tried, the blurring balm powder is especially good!
Estelle Colored Glass - These colored glass pieces are hands down my favorite things in my kitchen! The way they're hand-blown gives each one this gorgeous, unique look — I sometimes even pour juice in them just to feel fancy. The colors are absolutely beautiful, and honestly, they make every drink feel special.
Cocoa Styling - A color analysis and styling system specially designed for POC! Color analysis is the process of identifying which colors complement a person’s natural features, like skin tone, eye color, and hair, and can be a great tool to deepen your confidence and personal style.
And make sure to check out this video about supporting Black brands. The captions and comments are full of awesome shops where you can shop.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
*Twenty-Four Seconds from Now: A Love Story by Jason Reynolds - Reynolds’ reel explaining this story of a young couple experiencing their first love totally sold me:
*James by Percival Everett – Winner of the National Book Award, this novel reimagines “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” retelling the story from the POV of Jim, the enslaved Black man who joins Huckleberry on his journey.
*Luster by Raven Leilani - This novel follows Edie, a young Black woman finding her footing in her 20s. Leilani’s writing is vivid and relatable as she weaves a story that rings true — especially in our current political moment.
*The Book of Delights by Ross Gay - Over the course of a year, Gay wrote this collection of short lyrical essays, each reflecting on a different small joy he encountered in his life.
*They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib - Another brilliant essay collection, this book journeys through music and culture as a point of reflection to better understand ourselves and the world around us.
*Electric Arches by Eve L. Ewing - Ewing’s poems play with the past, present, and imagined future, exploring themes of race, gender, identity, community, adolescence, and more.
*The Sun is Also a Star By Nicola Yoon - This is an incredibly sweet young adult book about two teens navigating what it is like to fall in love for the first time.
*The Brown Sisters Series by Talia Hibbert - Each book in this romance trilogy follows a different Brown sister, all with their own unique love story.
Architectural Digest: 27 Black Women Changing the Architecture and Design Space by Sydney Gore - The numbers are striking: Black women make up just 0.4% of licensed architects and only 1.5% of interior designers in the U.S. This article spotlights the trailblazing Black women architects and designers who, despite these statistics, have transformed the industry and paved the way for future generations.
ABC News: How educators and content creators are teaching Black history on social media by GMA Team and Melanie Schmitz - This piece highlights the professors and educators who have turned to TikTok to share their African American studies curricula in light of recent restrictions on humanities in schools.
KOMU: Columbia man shares his love for art through tattooing by Evie Allen - A feature on Lee Carter, a tattoo shop owner making a name for himself in a field dominated by white artists.
Arts Council Greater New Haven: A Puppeteer-Musician Brings Black History Month To Life by Grayce Howe - In a review of a recent performance, this piece highlights the work of puppeteer Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, who blends music and puppetry to tell stories tied to his own Afro-Caribbean roots.
The San Diego Union-Tribune: Black Comix Day brings a love of comics and celebration of Black artists to San Diego by Maura Fox - For the past seven years, Black Comix Day in San Diego has celebrated Black creatives and their contributions to the comic book genre.
NBC News: Cowboy boots and community: How Black line dancers are kicking up joy by Patrice Gaines - With the help of social media, line dancing has grown in popularity in recent years. The dance has a distinctly Black history, and this piece features multiple Black dancers keeping the community as vibrant as ever.
Last week, the incredible best friend duo behind the Books With Your Besties podcast and The Creepy Book Club (a fabulous community for bookworms who also like a good scare) took over Sincerely, Celisia and shared some of their top recommendations — from a must-watch true crime documentary to their favorite women’s travel company. Check it out below!
Happy Black History Month, and have a fabulous weekend!
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