I can’t think of a better time to be a woman of color in America. Because of our drive and determination, we are celebrated in all areas of life. Beyoncé and Rihanna reign supreme when it comes to music. Serena Williams celebrated her 22nd Grand Slam title. Simone Manuel made history as the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic swimming medal. Simone Biles has a combined total of 19 Olympic and World Championship medals, ranking her the most decorated American gymnast. Let’s not forget Ibtihaj Muhammed, the first black Muslim-American woman to fence in the Olympics with her hijab. United States Army Reserves Lieutenant Deshauna Barber was crowned Miss USA. Then of course there’s our First Lady Michelle Obama, the only FLOTUS to hold 2 Ivy League degrees; one from Harvard and the other from Princeton. Are you familiar with Ellen Ochoa? She was the first Latino in the world to go to space. Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina to become part of the U.S Supreme Court, making history as the first Hispanic and the third woman to make it to the nation’s highest court. Need further validation? Forbes reported that women of color are the fastest group of growing entrepreneurs in the United States.
While we celebrate our accomplishments, we mourn the loss of women of color due to social injustices simultaneously. We have learned to hash tag a name as a way to bring awareness to a a system that was not built for us. Despite our many accomplishments, we are subject to the same social injustices no matter the community you belong to.
According to Victory Jones, the second installment of this campaign is, “important because it signifies something greater than just being comfortable in our own skin… It’s about regeneration, rebirth and a reclaiming of our power, while broadening the scope of what it means to be The “Colored” Girl. We have to recognize that the effects of color-ism are not only present in the black community, but in all brown communities, and that issues plaguing us as brown women is something that we (sadly) have in common. These and other commonalities, are the ties that bind us; while we unite to celebrate the differences that also make us unique and beautiful. We felt it was important to represent this visually, while also capturing the stunning essence of each individual woman.”
Tori and Victory use powerful and thought-provoking imagery to promote the change they want to see in the world. “We feel that a lot of people will not only fall in love with the images, but with what it represents as well, which is not only the resurgence of The Colored Girl, but widening the margins to include more of them.” She continues, “Yes, We love black women. We are black! But we are also brown and part of a much larger global community of Colored Girls. And yes, we feel that what we are doing is sorely needed, because representation matters. We also know that to ever move past where we have been or even where we are today, both are needed: the celebration of US, as well as the inclusion of others who have also been marginalized.”
The initial campaign was met with an overwhelming response. Women from across the world felt a sense of pride when it came to their melanin. This time around the ladies expanded on the models in efforts to include other communities. “We chose to style the original girls in white to set them apart, signifying “rebirth”. Having been featured in the original campaign, they’ve been here before, and have had an awakening of sorts. They’ve undergone the journey, which the newer girls (in nudes, neutrals, earth tones) are currently embarking upon… a rite of passage to self-discovery, which begins with first accepting and embracing everything you are,” Tori explained.
We are a powerful, resilient, and ever-evolving group of women. We have endured enough to break us down yet we continue to be amazing examples to everyone around us. This is literally the best time to be a brown girl. Inspiration surrounds us like air. Take time to inhale the magic and exhale greatness!
Founder and Creative Director of The Colored Girl Campaign: Tori Elizabeth and Victory Jones
Photographer: Joey Rosado of Island Boi Photography
PR: Sherrod Lewis
PR Assistant: Daryle Tyson
Stylist: Tori Elizabeth
Stylist Assistant: Keril Henderson and Kristen Higgins
Designers: Made by Soka, M Diggs NYC, AMA Fashion PR, Red Light PR, Jay Hunt Designs, Jewelry Designer: Made by Malyia
Makeup Artist: Lacey Watson, Jacqueline Ryan, Marshalle Crockett, Joslyn Spurlock
Hair: Julie Dastine, Tiffany Lamb, Jasmine Larmond, Kelee Collins
Wigs by: Seamless Illusions
XOXO – Marsha B.
