Can beauty exist independently of historical and colonial contexts?

How does the state not only govern life—but decide who can die, who is erased, and who remains unseen?

Many of us find ourselves trapped in the relentless pursuit of an idealised version of beauty, yet the pursuit often leaves us feeling inadequate, exhausted, and disconnected from our true selves.

As one of the most complex and transformative emotions, love exists in many forms, each with its unique challenges, rewards, and meanings. Whether it’s familial relationships, the deep bonds of friendship, or the intense and transformative nature of romantic love, each type of love shapes our lives and defines our interactions with the world around us.

Do all men have access to the same privileges of "maleness" or can patriarchal power be limited?

Do Black people have a sacred responsibility to one another, or can belonging be imposed on us? How can we belong in the collective without being erased by it?

White standards still anchor our beauty culture and procedures to “white-ify” are not new. Aesthetic surgery can be regarded as a form of symbolic whitening. Is plastic surgery a tool for racial whitening?

In many pre-colonial societies, gender was not binary and there are numerous documented examples of gender variance and gender nonconformity. How do we liberate ourselves from the prison of gender? 

We are taught that beauty is both attainable and accessible, with just enough work, products and procedures, we too can achieve the ideal standard. Is beauty worth the investment?

All of our political parties are implicated in a long history of anti-black racism and Black people feel disillusioned. What is owed to Black voters?

Patriarchy is a powerful incentive for black men to remain committed to tenets of masculine worth rooted in economic value—even when their devalued participation in the labour market means they are unable to achieve dominant masculinities themselves.

How can we disassociate both blackness and manhood from capitalist registers of worth?

12% of Brits say that they have just one person whom they consider to be a close friend. Adult friendships are becoming rarer yet the shrinking of our friend groups is not an individual tragedy, but a collective one. How can we counteract the growing epidemic of loneliness?

Black feminism differs from mainstream feminism in that it seeks to understand the injustices affecting the daily lives of Black women. What impact has the Black feminist movement had on society?

Will Black entrepreneurs and capitalists be better stewards of our communities or are they capable of inflicting the same racialized inequality seen in the broader society?

Join us in celebrating all the beauty that is Black Womanhood.

Black queer joy is rooted in community, connections, and a sense of true belonging. The very notion of carving out joy and happiness in the face of oppression is the ultimate act of resistance. How can we create safe and affirming environments where joy can flourish?