BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2020
To celebrate Black History in 2020, I collaborated with agency eleven to highlight the original history of Africans in America. We used a popular feature on the instagram app where folks got to see which African god lives within them. This was part of a larger campaign.
Click the link below to use the mask (mobile):
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=170020227633824
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=170020227633824
Martin Luther King Jr. as Ṣàngó:
Changed the world with his words and was a king in many ways. He is famous for the nonviolent tactics he employed during the civil rights movement. His voice would come to define modern America. His dream is everyone’s vision, til this day.
Ṣàngó is perhaps the most popular Orisha; he is god of thunder and lightning and as well one of the most worshipped gods all over the world. He was a royal ancestor of the Yorubas as he was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom.
Ṣàngó is perhaps the most popular Orisha; he is god of thunder and lightning and as well one of the most worshipped gods all over the world. He was a royal ancestor of the Yorubas as he was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom.
Harriet Tubman as Yemoja:
Cared so deeply that freedom meant nothing without family. There are few with the strength and willpower of Harriet. One of the greatest train conductors ever, her destination was elusive and her path dangerous. At least nineteen times she risked certain death (or worse) to bring her family to safety and freedom.
Yemoja is the African goddess of the ocean. Yemoja is motherly and strongly protective, and cares deeply for all her children. She is the protector of women.
Yemoja is the African goddess of the ocean. Yemoja is motherly and strongly protective, and cares deeply for all her children. She is the protector of women.
W. E. B. Du Bois as Obàtálá:
Dedicated his life’s work to creating a safe space for the African American community. One of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) he fought against lynching, educational discrimination and Jim Crow laws.
Obàtálá is the father of all orisha. He is believed to be the sky father and the creator of human bodies. He also created the first Yoruba city of Ife. He is known as a compassionate god.
Obàtálá is the father of all orisha. He is believed to be the sky father and the creator of human bodies. He also created the first Yoruba city of Ife. He is known as a compassionate god.
Maya Angelou as Òshun:
Reminded us of the beauty and richness of the black skin color. Even though she experienced tremendous trauma, she never let it weigh her down. Maya found a way to shine – and gave us reason to shine as well. She embraced her truth and history as she carved space for the future.
Òshun, also spelled Òsun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Òshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality.
Òshun, also spelled Òsun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Òshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality.
Muhammad Ali as Ògún:
Showed the greatness that lives within all black people. Even when he had his back to the ropes, Ali showed the spirit of a champion. He stood tall in the boxing ring and really did back up his words with action. He helped make greatness recognizable and achievable for every black person in America.
Ògún is the African god of iron. He is a warrior and powerful spirit of metal work and rum making. He is a primordial “orisha” who first appeared as a hunter named “Tobe Ode” He is said to have cleared the path for other gods to enter Earth.
Ògún is the African god of iron. He is a warrior and powerful spirit of metal work and rum making. He is a primordial “orisha” who first appeared as a hunter named “Tobe Ode” He is said to have cleared the path for other gods to enter Earth.
Rosa Parks as Nana Buluku:
Birthed a movement that would help free her people. She was the face of the civil rights movement in Alabama. Her willingness to be at the forefront of resistance against racial segregation made her “the mother of the freedom movement”.
Nana Buluku, also known as Nana Buruku, Nana Buku or Nanan-bouclou, is the female Supreme Being in the West African traditional religion of the Fon people (Benin, Dahomey) and the Ewe people (Togo). She is said to have created the universe and given birth to the moon and the sun.
Nana Buluku, also known as Nana Buruku, Nana Buku or Nanan-bouclou, is the female Supreme Being in the West African traditional religion of the Fon people (Benin, Dahomey) and the Ewe people (Togo). She is said to have created the universe and given birth to the moon and the sun.
Malcolm X as Aganju:
Fought injustice against black people, relentlessly, until his demise. He had to first overcome his own demons – but quickly became a leader of the civil rights movement. His enemies grew in number and might but Malcolm refused to back down. He chose to fight for the freedom of everyone.
Aganju is the god of volcanos, the wilderness, and the river. He is said to have been the third god to have come to earth. He is invoked in assisting humans in overcoming great physical as well as psychological barriers.
Fought injustice against black people, relentlessly, until his demise. He had to first overcome his own demons – but quickly became a leader of the civil rights movement. His enemies grew in number and might but Malcolm refused to back down. He chose to fight for the freedom of everyone.
Aganju is the god of volcanos, the wilderness, and the river. He is said to have been the third god to have come to earth. He is invoked in assisting humans in overcoming great physical as well as psychological barriers.
