Modern Day Saints: Celebrating Black Women's Divinity

Day 1 of 5: The Storyteller: Saint of Truth, Testimony, & Lineage

“If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it.”
-Toni Morrison

Storytelling within Black communities is a form of preservation, history, ritual, empowerment, and truth-telling. As long as we’ve been able to tell our story, we’ve been able to know our voice. The storyteller is the Saint of truth, testimony, and lineage — a lineage that Black women have fought generation to generation to sustain and grow. They understand the power of truth and context and are dedicated to capturing the complexities and vastness of our history so that we grow and evolve for generations to come.

I think of people like Rev. Dr. Yolanda Pierce who speaks to the complexities of Black women and faith in her book “In My Grandmother’s House.”

I think of Ehime Ora — an artist, spiritualist, and storyteller who uses their platform on Twitter and Patreon to not only educate about the religion of Orisha and ancestral veneration, but also shares the oral tradition of their religion, introducing it to those of us looking to discover and reconnect with the faith of our ancestors.

I think of Shay Moore, an artist who has recently received praise for her gift of capturing Black culture through comedic TikToks, providing a dose of nostalgia and a reminder of how deeply connected we are even in our daily rituals and behaviors.

I think of Alexis Feacher, or Yung BBQ (her Instagram alias), who uses her love of dance to bring joy and laughter to the hearts of many as she reenacts various musicals, songs, and figures within Black music and culture. She tells the story of our groove and funk through her body.

There are storytellers all around us. They’re the friend or family always with a story to tell. They’re our elders reminding us of the journey of our families and heritage. They’re the artist, the speaker, the writer, the dancer, the filmmaker, the creator. They understand that in order to honor our narrative, storytelling must be a fully embodied movement through various media.

Who are the storytellers in your life? Today I challenge you to encourage the storyteller in your life who is dedicated to capturing the beauty of our truth in all of its complexity. If they're a child, create space for them to express themselves and affirm their craft. They are the future of our storytelling. I also challenge you to invest in a Black storyteller’s craft. Let them know they are seen, valued, and invested in.

Today, we honor you — the Storyteller, Saint of Truth, Testimony and Lineage!

Ashley Reid

Day 1 of 5: The Storyteller: Saint of Truth, Testimony, & Lineage

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