Live Unchained is a cultural resource for women of African descent (including African Americans as well as black women of various ethnicities and nationalities) throughout the world. We provide products and events that reflect this theme and inspire, empower and showcase black female artists and writers. Our primary product is our anthology, to be released yearly, which is a collection of audio, visual and written works composed by black women. We also host events to showcase women’s creations in the form of film screenings, poetry sessions and art exhibits and shows.
MISSION
The purpose of Live Unchained is to expand and enrich dialogue among and concerning black women, by archiving personal and creative expressions. Living unchained is freedom to express the experiences that make us who we are and often challenge conventional ways of thinking and being.
Black women’s experiences are as dynamic and far-reaching as the communities we come from, customs we maintain and languages that we speak. Too often images of black women in popular culture reflect narrow and biased understandings of black women, reducing rich histories to fantasies and caricatures. Nevertheless, women of African descent have consistently challenged limited understandings of blackness, femininity, sexuality and nationality. We believe that the thoughts, imagination and feelings expressed in Live Unchained matter and can impact the way women of African descent view each other and themselves in the world. Live Unchained was born out of the desire to preserve, share and honor the diverse voices and experiences of black women across continents.
For women to Live Unchained, they must be allowed to simply, live. For many black women across the globe, this basic entitlement is threatened on a daily basis. As Live Unchained grows, we will continue to seek ways to promote projects that enhance or create social, economic and political opportunities for women as well as their family and community members. If you are part of an organization or initiative that does this and would like to be included on our upcoming links page and/or are interested in collaboration please contact us at liveunchained@gmail.com.
CONNECT
The term African Diaspora is becoming more common in everyday language. This concept refers to the spread of people of African descent throughout the world. In other words, the African Diaspora includes people living across Africa and people of African descent in Jamaica, England, Venezuela, Trinidad, Cuba, Brazil, Australia and the United States, as well as many other countries. Live Unchained aims to connect women of African descent throughout the world in bringing together their creative expressions.
We are doing our best to represent the diversity of black women without privileging one culture over another. Even though our native language is English and some cultural references are North American, we want to make this a comprehensive work. Help make this project represent you by submitting.
CREATE
Live Unchained represents black women’s collective and individual creativity. Art, music and writing have always been mediums that inspire change, provoke thought and foster understanding. Creativity truly allows us to connect with each other and live unchained to conventional ways of thinking and being.
This project reflects black women who went deep within themselves to produce works that are meaningful, inventive and sincere. In reading, viewing and hearing the creative expressions of black women in this collection, you will find that women have given us their best effort.
LIVE UNCHAINED
The logo for Live Unchained is derived from the West African adinkra symbol of sankofa. The symbol represents a bird inverted, reflecting upon itself. The image demonstrates the importance of bringing lessons from the past into the present and future, moving forward while guided by one’s history. The word sankofa can be interpreted as “return and retrieve it” or “go back, to go forward.”
In being a part of this project, women are contributing to a collective voice. This compendium shows that we can transcend barriers to each other. We hope, in drawing these diverse women together, the knowledge expressed in this collection will help us move forward informed and emboldened by the experiences of black women across regional and national borders. When we combine our experiences, we see how powerful and transformative black women's voices are.