By Kendall Brown, Katie Currie, Nysa Gandhi, Ryan Greathouse, Lucy Levinson, and Isabel McFarland
In honor of Black History Month, we feel it important as a community to recommend art that exemplifies Black Joy in all its forms. Black Joy’s relevancy is often overlooked in favor of Black trauma; this is seen first-hand within the RPCS community. Therefore, it is imperative to celebrate Black Joy–not just in February–but year-round! Take the time to enjoy and fully appreciate these recommendations and experience all the wonder that Black creators have to offer.
MOVIES:
Love and Basketball is a rom-com starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, childhood friends who reconnected in their college years. Both pursue their basketball dreams and experience the trials and tribulations of growing up and finding oneself while also finding love. It's definitely a class and is such a cute story.
Good Burger is a cute comedy about two teens, Ed (Kel Mitchell) and Dexter (Kenan Thompson), who work at a burger shop over the summer. Dexter is working to pay off a car accident he had with his least favorite teacher Mr. Wheat. There is also fierce competition with the upcoming, larger than life Mondo Burger restaurant right across the street that is determined to put Good Burger out of business.
Little is a comedy starring Regina Hall, Issa Rae, and Marsai Martine, where Regina King plays a successful business mogul named Jordan who treats all of her employees horribly, including her assistant April (Issa Rae.) One day Jordan turns back into her 13-year-old self played by Marsai right before one of the most important meetings of her career, and the story unfolds from there as Jordan now has no choice but to listen to April and get the job done.
B.A.P.S. is a tale of two aspiring cosmetologists Nise (Halle Berry) and Mickey (Natalie Desselle), who fly out to L.A to star in a music video and hopefully make enough money to open their own beauty salon/ soul food restaurant. While in L.A. the two come across a very wealthy man named Mr. Blakemore (Martin Landau), and his butler and while they have very different cultures they form a beautiful bond in this hilarious and heartwarming comedy.
Black is King is a visual album that accompanies The Lion King album produced by Beyonce. It highlights black stories and creates stunning visuals of various cultures amongst African and Black people. The movie itself is truly stunning, the songs are so uplifting and the visuals that go along with everything are extremely well thought out and captivating.
BOOKS/AUTHORS:
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas is the story of sixteen-year-old Bri’s rise to fame in the rap world as she attempts to follow in her father’s footsteps.
It’s Not All Downhill from Here by Terry McMillan is a novel about the strength of friendship and laughter when getting through hard times.
Elizabeth Acevedo is a Black Dominican writer and poet who highlights the individual experiences of Black Latine individuals through her characters and their stories. She wrote Clap When You Land and With The Fire On High: both novels focus on family and connection, as well as the rich cultures experienced by many different Afro Latine people.
Black Joy by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts is a collection of essays that highlight the evolution of Black Joy throughout the trauma that has been endured.
Jasmine Guilloiy is an author of romance novels focusing on Black adults.
Nic Stone writes young adult novels that focus on black protagonists.
Leah Johnson is the author of You Should See Me In A Crown, which was critically acclaimed with a stonewall book award.
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin is a graphic novel about a queer black romance that spans several years and celebrates healthy, happy relationships between black and queer individuals.
VISUAL ARTISTS:
Frank Morrison (@frankmorrison) - Visual Artist, Illustrator, and Author
Tyra Powers (@tyra_powers) - Visual Artist
Whitney Austin (@whitney_austin) - Visual Artist and Designer
Artist Ria (@artist_ria) - Visual Artist
Zeinab Fofana (@artxzay) - Visual Artist
Black Joy Playlist:
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