Daughter is a memoir-style collection of poems and essays by model and poet Ebonee Davis that form the narrative of what it looked like for a young black woman in America to break generational cycles, begin to heal the trauma that lives in all of our bodies, and embark upon the spiritual awakening that changed her life.
Credit: @jhalin_knowles
Ebonee Davis is an American model, poet, actor and activist from Seattle, Washington.
Over the last six years Ebonee has become one of the fashion industry’s most prominent voices, advocating for representation and diversity in front of the camera as well as behind it. In 2017, after penning an open letter to the fashion industry illuminating the importance of representation, Ebonee was asked to do a TED Talk at the University of Nevada on the topic of systemic bias in fashion which she titled “Black Girl Magic in the Fashion Industry”. Following her talk, she has delivered countless speeches, participated on panels, and written for numerous publications, all while using her platform as a model to uplift, inspire and create space for those who visibility has been systematically denied.
She has since appeared on numerous covers and in publications such as American Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, Elle, Essence, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, CRWN, L’official, Glamour and alongside songstress Solange Knowles in Office Magazine. She has also been featured in advertisements for L’Oreal, Kerastase, Fenty X Savage, Ivy Park, Tommy Hilfiger, Pyer Moss, and Calvin Klein.
Ebonee’s quest for authentic self expression lead her to Ghana in 2018, and in 2019, Ebonee founded Daughter Org – a non-profit, educational organization, dedicated to unifying children of the diaspora. Daughter Org provides sponsorships for young scholars looking to connect with their African ancestry, as well as those who seek to expand their narrative and understand their roots, by returning back to West Africa for immersive experiences.
During the forced isolation and racial reckoning of 2020, the model reached yet another level of self-exploration. “It forced me to deep dive into my history, how I was raised, what ideas I was programmed with—not just from my family, but my community and society-at-large,” she shares. It gave her the space to shed the limiting beliefs holding her back from the next phase of her journey, like the idea that she had to force change. And while the spirit of activism wasn’t something that was going to depart from her soul, the time had come to find a new way to be of service to her community: by focusing on wellness.
Fast forward to 2023, and Davis ’fresh approach to life has manifested into numerous new creative projects that not only serve others, but also her own personal mission.
The multi-hyphenate launched the Ebb and Flow podcast this past March. Created and produced by five young women of color, the project aims to help listeners take a break from the day-to-day grind, and get back into natural alignment using their own gifts.Davis has also just signed on as creative director for Amina Adem Natural Skincare, a line of products created by beauty therapist and certified aromatherapist Amina Adem, inspired by the medicinal plants of Eritrea.
This summer Ebonee will release a 6 track poetry EP titled Sovereign and this October, Davis will be publishing a book by the same name as her non-profit. Daughter: The Soul Journey of a Black Woman in America Having a Human Experience goes deep into the soon-to-be author’s metamorphosis, exploring her journey of healing, growth, and self-actualization—which required the model to let go of shame, and explore a new level of vulnerability.
“Through our own healing, we have the power to undo generations of programming—we are them and they are us,” Davis writes. “We don’t need to force our healing onto those around us. We can simply embody our own truth and stand in our own light. That is enough to illuminate the paths of those around us who are ready to change at their own pace.”
Ebonee currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
We encourage more artists to use Ms Davis as a lighthouse. Black creators are fearlessly exposing truths through their art and platforms. Their powerful voices shed light on racial injustices, systemic racism, and the Black experience. By harnessing their creativity, they challenge societal norms and spark important conversations. These creators play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Our collective consciousness is innovative. It’s something like a Renaissance.
In 1920, as Black art and writing flourished during the Harlem Renaissance, scholar, author, and activist W. E. B. Du Bois and managing editor, Jessie Redmon Fauset, started a magazine for children. Calling it The Brownies’ Book: A Monthly Magazine for Children of the Sun, it was the first magazine aimed specifically at Black young people. In his role as editor-in-chief, Du Bois reached out to the era’s most celebrated Black creatives—writers, artists, poets, songwriters—and asked them to contribute their “best work” to The Brownies’ Book “so that Black children will know that they are thought about and LOVED.” Among its contributors was Langston Hughes, whose first published poems appeared in The Brownies’ Book.
Through art, media, and activism, these new creators are using their platforms to amplify the voices of those with melanated skin, ensuring that their stories and experiences are heard and valued. The melanin in our skin is a beautiful and diverse characteristic that should be celebrated, not discriminated against. By shedding light on the harmful effects of colorism, black creators are sparking important conversations and pushing for change. They are unapologetically embracing their own unique beauty and inspiring others to do the same. In 2023, black art holds even greater importance as a powerful instrument for social change and empowerment. Black artists harness their creativity and talent to reclaim their narratives, power, and voices.
A collective of Black female artists who shrugged off cold shoulders from mainstream art institutions to blaze their own trail will get the spotlight at a South Side of Chicago, exhibition opening this weekend.
“Freedom’s Muse,” featuring works by members of the Sapphire & Crystals art collective, opens with a reception and silent auction 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Hyde Park, Chitown.
The exhibition explores freedom and self-determination through painting, sculpture, photography, quilting and more. It runs until Dec. 10.
Let the Voices be Heard: Stop Black Censorship
Black censorship of expression is a complex and controversial issue that has been gaining traction in recent years. In the United States, black censorship of expression can be seen in a variety of forms, such as the silencing of black voices and the stifling of black creativity. This censorship can take the form of both institutional and social oppression, including the criminalization of black culture, the exclusion of black people from media and popular culture, and the suppression of black speech.
Censorship can be described as the act of controlling what people can see and hear, mainly to protect public interests. But it has the potential to do much more harm than good in many ways.
First of all, censorship restricts the freedom of speech. People have the right to express their opinions and share their thoughts without fear of punishment. Censorship stops people from expressing themselves freely, which can have a negative impact on society as a whole.
These forms of censorship can have a profound impact on how black people are able to express themselves and their ideas, and can limit their ability to engage in meaningful discourse. Moreover, it can lead to a culture of fear and silence, and prevent black people from fully engaging in the democratic process. This can have a detrimental effect on the political and social progress of black people, as well as their ability to have their voices heard. In order to combat this form of censorship, it is important that we recognize its existence and work to create a more equitable and inclusive society in which black people can freely express themselves without fear of reprisal.
Black users have reported that their posts are more likely to be removed or flagged for content violations. This is particularly true for posts that deal with topics related to racism and social injustice. Instagram has been accused of censoring black voices and limiting their ability to speak out against injustice.
Instagram has denied these accusations, but the evidence is clear that black voices are being censored on the platform. For example, Instagram has been accused of censoring posts related to the Black Lives Matter movement. Instagram has also been accused of censoring posts related to the protests against police brutality.
