To the Creative Who…

Charnelle Blackwood

Picture it. May 9, 2020. 8:40 PM. Jill Scott plays through my speakers as she ends the round of her Verzuz battle with Erykah Badu. I bask in the beauty of both women and their music that has helped to narrate several moments in my life. While the Verzuz battle intends to put two of black music’s heavy hitters in 10 rounds of songs from their catalogs, it wasn’t a battle at all. The Verzuz was a celebration. A celebration of black womanhood. A celebration of artistry. A celebration of authenticity. Then Jill Scott of North Philly says something to Erykah that knocks the wind out of me.

“Thank you for not being afraid. There are a lot of writers watching right now who are holding onto a lot of amazing work, thoughtful work, work that will change lives because they don’t know how people will accept it or receive it…and it doesn’t matter. You have to get it out. You’re just holding on to something that doesn’t belong to you anymore. Once it’s on paper, once you put it down, you have to release it to the world. It’s…it’s mandatory.”

Just like that, a night that had me full of pride, full of joy, full of peace is now a night of reflection. A reflection on what I’ve done, what I’ve withheld because of fear, and what I hope to accomplish in the future. 11 months later, I feel that I have reflected enough and wanted to share a few words with those who were in the same headspace I was in on May 9, 2020.

To the creatives who think it is too late to begin,

Remember Jill Scott wrote her first song at the age of 27.

Remember Issa Rae wrote “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” at the age of 26.

Remember Ava DuVernay who picked up a camera for the first time at age 32.

To all the creatives who are feeling like they are not enough at this moment,

The voice you may need to hear the most is yours.

Your authenticity is one of the most powerful components you bring to your art.

Let this be a reminder to you: Your voice matters. Your art matters.

In the words of Brik. Liam, “Don’t be afraid to shine. We need the light.”