One week before Valentine’s Day the Desert Botanical Gardens and local, black-owned creative organization, Centered.PHX held one of the first Black History Month events, just in time to honor black love as black history.
The event, as explained by the event’s host, Muse, was inspired by the African American rom-com, Waiting to Exhale – set and filmed in Phoenix – in order to create a safe space for the African American community to bond over their shared experience and recognize all forms of love—romantic, platonic, and everything in between.
Before the storytelling began, the venue had an ambiance of comfort, set against the desert’s backdrop, with soft mood lighting.
While DJ Dwil played R&B and smooth jazz, there was a sense of camaraderie as couples, friends, and supporters chatted and waited for the presentation to begin.
The presentation included stories from three local couples, including Phoenix Center for the Arts’ Executive Director Angelique Kane and her husband Joe’s experience blending their families, transplanting to the Southwest, and dedicating their lives to the arts.
The presentation included stories from three local couples, including Phoenix Center for the Arts’ Executive Director Angelique Kane and her husband Joe’s experience blending their families, transplanting to the Southwest, and dedicating their lives to the arts.
Nia Watkins, the founder of “Arizona, but Make it Black”, shared black history with the crowd, paying tribute to couples who made major contributions to Arizona’s African American community – including Lincoln and Eleanor Ragsdale, who helped desegregate housing and schools, Eugene and Thomasena Grigsby, who advocated for African Americans to participate in the arts.
Laci Lester shared her experience as a self-proclaimed “global auntie” and the “littles” who, even though they are not her biological children, have shared heart-opening moments with her.
“Each story had its unique perspective on love, relationships, and how they have helped the black community overcome and stay connected with society, tying into the fact that “being black in the Southwest is a unique experience,” said event host Muse.
The presentation was received with open hearts.
The audience found each story relatable and validating to their own experiences.
Some of the things audience members told Northeast Valley News was relating to the amazing storytelling and what they enjoyed most was how authentic and personable the speakers were— many stories had them in tears.
Centered.PHX and other local organizations will be hosting more events to continue celebrating Black culture and Black history throughout the month and can be found here, on Visit Phoenix’s website.
