On June 4th, 2020, Photographer Yesi Fortuna opened the doors of Fort Lion Studio to Dallas’s Black community for free portraits. Serving as a celebration of Black resilience, participants had the option to take part in the most recent wave of the “Black Is Beautiful” campaign and have their images displayed publicly.

The History of The Movement

When the movement began in the 1960s, Black is Beautiful was an act of defiance, but most importantly, one of deep self-love. Beginning as a fashion show in Harlem and organized by the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (AJASS)—which included photographer Kwame Brathwaite—the show was composed of proud, Black models who celebrated their afros and natural features. The slogan “Black Is Beautiful” was used on flyers, and eventually, advertisements to promote Black culture in a commerce setting. Before the movement, Black beauty advertisements in particular were constantly held to a European standard, and the community needed an everlasting reprieve from the comparison.

Brathwaite went on to photograph local Black female writers, stylists and educators, to advocate for equal rights and representation. These efforts lead to economic growth and entrepreneurship, as fashion and beauty related businesses began to prosper.⁠ This era, coupled with the Civil Rights Movement, made space for Black achievement and equality, but sadly, decades later, the work is not done.

The public response to George Floyd’s murder on May 25th, 2020, seen through news coverage, racist commentary/acts, and harmful social media posts, left many Black people feeling vulnerable, unheard, and above all, traumatized, as they were forced to grieve with no comfort through justice. This is exactly why you are viewing these images today. 

I observed this reaction and felt inclined to nurture the souls of people experiencing this pain. I felt it was is a part of my duty as an ally.

After centuries of oppression, seeing an anguished, or worse, deceased Black human being is all too commonplace in the media. Though strides have been made, we still live in the country that sanctioned the Tulsa Race Massacre, and the lynching of Emmett Till. Each act of horror was documented in its own way, leading me to remind us all to capture Blackness in life.

History hasn’t been kind, but by reflecting to the community an image of joy and solidarity, Black fortitude is being reinforced as it can never be taken away.

Society at-large has to value Blackness before successfully restoring the lack of equity created in the African diaspora. As an artist, I am contributing to the growing awakening and reminding the entire community that Black Is Beautiful. In all its beauty is its joy, sorrow, triumph, and diversity, it is so. 

History hasn’t been kind, but by reflecting to the community an image of joy and solidarity, Black fortitude is being reinforced as it can never be taken away.

#BlackIsBeautifulDFW

 Media Coverage

I’d like to give thanks to my family members that helped out on the day of the open studio and to my fellow team members at Fort Lion Studio. Your support gave me the strength to be present with each person that came through the door and see this project to its full potential.

To everyone that participated in this project, or even just shared the message, you are a real representation of unity. It’s been beautiful to witness and my honor to hold space for you all. Black has been, and will always be, beautiful. 

—Yesi Fortuna