Panelists share their views with the audience Photo credit: Sarah Onyango
by Sarah Onyango
My mind is still buzzing from that unforgettable #FourBrownGirls event I attended at Schenkman Arts Centre earlier today! Thank you et merci mille fois Nicole Antoine for bringing this inspiring “celebration of sistahood” to Ottawa! As soon as I walked into the space, I was swept up in the excitement of high energy networking. What a joy to see all those beautiful sistapreneurs proudly showcasing their unique skin and hair care products, cosmetics, Afrocentric clothing and accessories, artwork and motivational tools and services to eager shoppers! Respect et un grand bravo to all the Montreal vendors (Wanjiru, Kika Curls, Zandu, Ayacaona et al.) As well as our Ottawans ( Rinude Resale, Curly Hair Designs, Malachite, Anthonia Bejide, Belle Choze, YLAC) for contributing to such an enjoyable experience. Much appreciation goes out to the dynamic panelists (Gwen, Andrea, Karlyn, Lateesha, Symone) for keeping it real and raw in sharing the pain, struggles, hard lessons and triumphs of your respective journeys! Lots of great insights on identity, the importance of self-awareness, self-love, spiritual grounding, balance, personal integrity, accountability, and service to community…and especially, the crucial role mutual support can and must play in our collective empowerment as Black women in a society that seems hell bent on minimizing, alienating and erasing us. The main message I took from this inspiring conversation? Let’s focus more energy on fixing a sista’s crown instead of constantly scheming to snatch it off her head. Most of us know better, so let’s do better….our daughters and nieces are watching….
Photo credits: Sarah Onyango