Last week we were all in our collective feels.
Halle Bailey, not to be confused with Halle Berry (yes there has been confusion because all Black people look alike, le sigh), has been cast as Ariel for the Disney reboot and what got me the most was the reactions of Black girls seeing themselves in the most beautiful light! 💜
I was a Black girl who loved Fantasy and Sci-fi and there were very few representations of women in the genre.
Seeing the likes of:
Nyota Uhura, fictional character in the Star Trek franchise. In the original television series, the character was portrayed by Nichelle Nichols, who reprised the role for the first six Star Trek feature films.
Storm is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, first appearing in Giant-Size X-Men.
This made me feel valid and powerful.This is opening so many doors for our girls and softening the hearts and minds of the industry.
If Bailey is in front of the camera, who gets to be behind the camera, in animation, and wardrobe? This opens more doors and ways to see the world.
The Path to the Emmy Stage
“I am an endangered species
But I sing no victim's song
I am a woman, I am an artist
And I know where my voice belongs"
-Dianne Reeves, American Jazz Singer
We heard these words belted on the Emmy stage by thespian, Sheryl Lee Ralph. She has over 4 decades of experience in the film industry and has yet to get her due.
At 62 years young, she not only won the Emmy, but she stood as one and represented under-represented women of color in the industry. She was resplendent in her embodiment of fortitude, excellence and determination.
This was an epic moment for all of us and this was yet another moment of soulful expression and culture shifting.
Conclusion:
As empathic leaders, feminolutionaries, and culture shift(hers), we have a role to play in not just how business is done, but how we prepare the next generation of female identified leaders.
We can shorten the distance between success for all vs success for a few, if we elevate the most marginalized voices and identities.
Point to Ponder:
What has been the historical representation in your industry: race, gender, and class?
Who are the women and feminine leaders of color in your industry and how can you collaborate and elevate them?
What does representation mean to you and how can you be an intergenerational bridge between generations?