Around tables covered with magazines, glue sticks, and colorful paper, Black women gathered to create more than collages. They created space for reflection, affirmation, and community.
On July 9, Black Cultural Zone’s Sisterhood Circle hosted the Afro Diasporic Art and Healing workshop for women to explore artistic expression as a healing practice.
Participants assembled images and words onto poster boards and created collages reflecting personal stories, grief and home, and self-care reminders.
“It’s like a vision board for me,” Bernadette Williams said. “I like to be in community and amongst my people. It’s a daily reminder to take care of myself.”
‘Knowing your history is a big part of your healing.’
Taylor Lyons’ collage captured Black femininity and intergenerational connection.
“I think of legacy, knowing your history and where you come from is a big part of your healing as you’re growing, learning, and discovering yourself,” Taylor Lyons said. “As we’re growing and healing, there are others that are growing and are watching.”
One Afro-Peruvian woman celebrated the beauty of different women of color.
“A lot of times I’m trying to find my place, but I don’t feel I fit,” she said. She recalled being told, “You’re not really Black, you’re Latino,” or, “You’re not Hispanic, you’re Black.”
“Whatever,” she quipped, as haughty laughter filled the backyard of the Sankofa Sanctuary on 73rd near MacArthur Blvd.
‘Healing is not always sugar and rainbows’
Not every collage was optimistic. One woman described her artwork as “a little morbid.” She said healing often means letting go of old versions of oneself.
“To heal, sometimes parts of you have to die,” she said. “Healing is not always sugar and rainbows.”
Multimedia artist Idris Hassan facilitated the workshop. She’s coordinated the Black Cultural Zone Sisterhood Circle since February.
“I love the opportunity to have intergenerational groups of Black women doing things we don’t usually do,” Hassan said. “It facilitates conversation.”
The free monthly event is part of the REACH Living Practices Series in the 40×40 area of East Oakland, and organized in partnership with the AfroPortals Project Space & Archive and the Black Women In Mourning & Joy Collective
The gatherings have explored everything from herbal healing and salt scrubs to conversations about traditional “root work”, Hassan said. They also support Black-owned businesses by serving food from local vendors.
‘Bring another sister. We all need healing and connection with each other.’
The Sisterhood Circle grew out of the Black Cultural Zone’s Quality of Life Network, which focuses on wellness, entrepreneurship and strengthening community relationships. Hassan said the gatherings show the importance of creating spaces where Black women can care for one another.
Participants ended the evening showcasing their artwork and singing “Happy Birthday” — the Stevie Wonder version — to an attendee. Many left with journals created by AfroPortals along with handwritten affirmations and their finished collages.
Before everyone departed, Gloria Crowell invited participants to the next gathering. The Sisterhood Circle meets monthly at Sankofa Sanctuary. August’s gathering will feature a sound bowl healing session.
“Bring another sister,” she said. “We all need healing and connection with each other.”
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