[Commlist] Call for Abstracts - Who We Be! Global Black Women’s Creative Anthology

We cordially invite you to contribute to “*Who We Be! Global Black 
Women’s Creative Anthology*,” a project led by Dr Dionne Taylor and Dr 
Rachel-Ann Charles.

This project examines how identity and creativity intersect by 
highlighting the diverse experiences of Black women worldwide. We value 
your unique voice and perspective, which are crucial to the story we 
want to tell. Your contribution will greatly enhance this transformative 
anthology.

“*Who We Be!*” offers a platform for Black women to share their 
authentic narratives and experiences within the global creative 
landscape. By focusing on perspectives from the United Kingdom, 
Caribbean, Africa, South America, and the diaspora, we seek to address 
historical gaps in representation and contribute to more nuanced, 
inclusive narratives that challenge conventional representations and 
tropes often assigned to Black women.

Through intersectional autoethnography, we encourage you to explore how 
your personal identity—shaped by factors such as race, gender, 
sexuality, spatiality, ability, and cultural background—has influenced 
your creative journey. Sharing your story adds to a powerful testament 
showcasing the authenticity, intersectional identities, and unmatched 
creativity of Black women across continents.

The anthology will use an innovative approach rooted in decolonised 
pedagogy and intersectional autoethnography, guiding contributors 
through workshops to explore different aspects of their identities. 
These workshops will create transformative spaces for co-creating 
knowledge and fostering a supportive network that enables a holistic 
understanding and authenticity in contributors’ experiences.

We welcome contributions from visual artists, academics, writers, 
influencers, and more, encompassing a wide range of interdisciplinary 
media and creative forms.

Main Themes

*Black Women as Creatives:*

  * Recognising creativity as a tool for Black survival and reclamation
    of identity.
  * Defining creativity industries.

*Intersectionality and Identity:*

  * Reflecting on how intersecting identities shape creative processes
    using autoethnography.
  * Focusing on race, gender, sexuality, spatiality, ability, and
    cultural background as integral components of contributors’ narratives.
  * Tackling historical obstacles faced by Black women, non-binary, and
    trans-identifying individuals in the creative sector.

*Global Representation and Erasure:*

  * Exploring the experiences of Black women contributors from diverse
    regions including the UK, the Caribbean, Africa, South America, and
    the diaspora.
  * Confronting and addressing the erasure of perspectives beyond
    America in existing anthologies.

*Preserving Cultural Authenticity:*

  * Analysing the impact of cultural values on the depiction of
    feminism, sexuality, spirituality, family structures, formative
    experiences, and womanhood in creative works using autoethnographic
    methods.

*Incorporating Vernacular and Cultural Contributions:*

  * Delving into contributors’ incorporation of vernacular, dialects,
    and storytelling traditions in their creative processes and work.
  * Emphasising the significance of preserving and celebrating cultural
    aspects as integral to creative expression.

*Global Black Sisterhood:*

  * Discussing contributors’ experiences with global Black sisterhood
    and solidarity from an autoethnographic perspective.
  * Exploring parallel challenges faced by Black women worldwide, shaped
    by gender, race, and geographical location.

By participating in this anthology, you will:

  * Showcase your creativity and its transformative impact
  * Amplify your voice on a global scale
  * Address representational gaps and contribute to nuanced narratives
  * Explore and celebrate the impact of your personal identity on your
    creative process
  * Foster cross-cultural insights and understanding
  * Preserve cultural authenticity, traditions, and vernacular
  * Contribute to a global discourse on Black women’s creativity

If you are interested in being a part of this anthology, please submit 
an abstract (150-200 words) outlining your proposed contribution, along 
with a brief biography (100 words) highlighting your background and 
creative pursuits to (Rachel-Ann.Charles /at/ bcu.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(Rachel-Ann.Charles /at/ bcu.ac.uk)> and (Dionne.Taylor /at/ bcu.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(Dionne.Taylor /at/ bcu.ac.uk)>.

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 10th January 2025. All 
authors will hear back about their abstract by Friday 31st January 2025.

Once we have received all the abstracts, we will collate them and submit 
the collection to Bloomsbury for their consideration.

We strongly believe that your voice is crucial to the success of this 
project, and we are excited about the prospect of working with you to 
create a truly transformative anthology. If you have any questions or 
require further information, please reach out to us.


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