"Reclaiming Narratives" for Black History Month 24
African and Caribbean voices are among the many Black voices that have predominantly been overlooked and distorted throughout history. For Black History Month this year, we wanted to highlight the "Reclaiming Narratives" moment.
The goal of this movement is to recognise and correct the narratives around Black history and culture by shining light on stories, allegories and history.
Illo artist Justine Allenete Ross showcased her design skills in collaboration with the BBC World service to pioneer a new Podcast series called 'Untold Legends." This kick off piece put a spotlight on an often overlooked legend, Miss Ora Washington. Renee Montgomery investigates how skin colour bias played a tremendous role in history forgetting her incredible accomplishments in tennis and basketballs. You can listen in HERE.
Justine shared with us some of the things she learnt about Ora Washington whilst creating her portrait for the BBC World Service. Including the fact she didn’t know Ora existed before working on this project…
“She was a housekeeper the entire time she was a professional tennis and basketball player, even though she had a very significant career. It wasn’t until fairly recently before she started getting accolades for it. She died in 1971 as a housekeeper, but around the 2000’s she started to get honoured by various organisations. In the mid 1980’s she was put in Temple’s celebrity hall of fame. 2018 she was inducted into the basketball hall of fame and July 2019 a state was created of her, in the smith playground in Philadelphia, her home state.”
“If it wasn’t for women like Ora Washington who is now considered as one of the best female tennis and basketball players, there wouldn’t be women like Serna and Venus Williams and Coco Gauff in tennis.”
“It was a honour to draw her picture, it was a honour to learn about her and an honour to capture her likeness.”
Along with Justine, here are some artists making waves who happen to come from African and Caribbean backgrounds. Here’s few pieces that really highlight their talent for telling beautiful stories. Justine's BBC portrait to the left....Justine Allenette Ross/ Bessie Smith, Dunni Mustapha - Marcus Rashford, Keenon Ferrell - Nelson Mandela, Wanjira Kinuua - Coleman Domingo, Noah Lawrence Holder, Monique Steele - The Obamas, Anthony Ikediuba - Martin Luther king.
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At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.