Through the capturing of stunning portraits and honest conversations with a few amazing Black women in our community, this photo collection is an exploration of experiencing liberating sisterhood. We would like to thank April Ellerbie, Najauna White, and Joan Yabani for discussing what practicing sisterhood and pursuing liberation means to them.
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April Ellerbie
Photography by Jamaica Gilmer
Sisterhood is a movement that liberates women. In sisterhood, there is no hierarchy. All women are equal. Sisterhood is celebrating and fighting for your voiceless sister or carrying someone else’s responsibilities who is afraid to engage, speak, or stand. Sisterhood is standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us and demanding their work not be diminished. Uncovering the truths for our sisters may be difficult and even at times very painful, but in the end, extremely liberating.
Najuana White
Photography by Jamaica Gilmer
For others, I want sisterhood to be a space of relief and growth. I think as young ambitious women we are taught to compete with each other. But forget that! Let’s go after these men, the men that ignore our ideas, our feedback and our presence. Let’s learn to support each other in meetings, at networking events, conferences, speaking engagements even at the grocery store. I want sisterhood and liberation to be a moment of listening to listen, not to always correct or judge. Sometimes we need one another when we don’t know it. We need one another just to say this day was hard and not be judged for being weak. I want it to show up for others DAILY. Let’s celebrate each other every day and always.
Joan Yabani
Photography by Jamaica Gilmer
Liberation by definition is the freedom from oppression or imprisonment, but it also means freedom from limits on your thoughts and behavior. There are moments when those limits creep into how I approach my day, my goals, and my successes. Whenever those self deprecating thoughts pop up, my sisters are yelling from the sidelines: You are unlimited! You are capable! Your ideas are worthy! And what’s so powerful about sisterhood is - It’s not always the actual voice of a close girl friend. It’s Issa Rae presenting our Insecurities every Sunday. It’s Bozoma Saint John revamping corporations with a large fro and red lipstick. It’s seeing women who look like you break the mold and give you the courage and freedom to do the same.
