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Yaba Blay

@yabablay

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independent peoples worker

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THE WHITES OF OUR EYES is a short documentary film that follows Dr. Yaba Blay as she returns to her familial homeland of Ghana to explore the relationships between beauty, bodies, and b/Blackness. In addition to recreating the groundbreaking Clark Doll Test among school children, the film follows a young hustler as he prepares for his community’s annual harvest festival by bleaching his skin.

Amidst the ghosts of colonialism and the gods of whiteness, THE WHITES of OUR EYES questions ideas and ideals of beauty in Ghana within the beauty of Ghana.

WORLD PREMIERE
@blackstarfest
AUGUST 4, 2024

In-person and Virtual!
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Link in my bio!

—-

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Yaba Blay
Imani Perry
Rakia Rahmeeka Reynolds
THE COMMUNITY

DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Yaba Blay
Maame Adjei

DIRECTOR of PHOTOGRAPHY
Percy “Mutombo” Osei-Appiah

VIDEOGRAPHER
Bamie Lammeh Yesseh

ORIGINAL SCORE & SOUND DESIGN
Bondzie (M3NSA) Ansah

CREATED and WRITTEN by
Yaba Blay

EDITED by
Percy “Mutombo” Osei-Appiah

PRODUCTION DESIGN by
Maame Adjei by @yabablay

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2 years ago

That’ll preach 🙌🏿

Repost from @ccaboutrace
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If you were at Courageous Conversation® National Summit this past fall, you probably remember the powerful words of @yabablay.

In the course of women’s history, women of color—particularly Black women—are rarely given the space and grace to openly express human emotions. Seldom do they receive the gratitude they deserve for their emotional, spiritual and even physical labor in service of the antiracist work they do—work they should never have been expected to shoulder.
⁣⁣
Let this #WomensHistoryMonth and Dr. Yaba Blay’s wisdom serve as a reminder. May we always hold space for the anger, the exhaustion, the joy, and every experience in between, of Black women and women of color. May we always extend love and gratitude for their presence, power, and humanity that we are privileged to behold.
⁣
#WomensHistoryMonth #CourageousConversation by @yabablay

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4 years ago

One of the things I appreciate most about my friendship with @glennondoyle and @abbywambach is that when I have something to say, they make space and just listen. First and foremost, MAKE SPACE and LISTEN. Even if it makes them uncomfortable. Especially when it makes them uncomfortable. Make space and listen.

Let them be an example for some of you to follow. I’m not here to hold your hand through whatever feelings this episode may wake up in you. Make space and listen.

Link in my bio.

#Repost @glennondoyle
・・・
With today’s episode of We Can Do Hard Things, we have the honor of listening to the teacher, author, activist, and cultural-creative Dr. Yaba Blay with openness, humility, groundedness, curiosity, and love.

For us white podsquaders:
If we feel uncomfortable, we will not hot potato our discomfort back at Dr. Blay or each other.

We will not activate our “fragility” by being defensive. Because as Dr. Blay teaches us today: our fragility is not fragile at all.

Unleashing our defensiveness and hurt feelings are how we: avoid accountability, center ourselves, and call for comfort of our bruised egos instead of justice for bodies in danger.

These are serious times and they call for serious people.
We are those people.
We can do hard things.

May this conversation be:
A comfort to those who need it.
And a challenge to those who need it.

I love you, Dr Yaba Blay.

Listen at the link in bio.

@yabablay @abbywambach #WCDHT by @yabablay

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5 years ago

#blackoutfornolan by @yabablay

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10 days ago

was looking through my 50-leven photos and came across this one. and it made me smile. @thearthype created this two years ago. @goldenlaunch ‘s vision for my “professional” headshots.

sharing just because. by @yabablay

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11 days ago

if you are of a certain age, you likely thought this was a love song. I did. and it is. just a different type of love.

this is why I shouldn’t open social media before i get out of bed. this took me out this morning. my daddy had — HAS — a beautiful smile 🥹 one he gifted me 🥰

also, @theangelawinbush STILL GOT IT!

🎥: TikTok Remedy1964 by @yabablay

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20 days ago

You're invited! Right after our 7:00pm performance of SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY on September 17th, stay for a talkback with scholar-activist Dr. Yaba Blay and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health professor and beauty justice advocate Dr. Ami Zota! In their discussion on beauty standards and colorism, they'll examine how cultural ideas and assumptions about beauty shape identity, opportunity, and belonging. Ashley M. Thomas (Teaching Artist, MTC) will moderate. by @yabablay

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a month ago

✨ a little joy for the start of your september ✨ by @yabablay

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a month ago

there’s a lot I can say but all I will say is that that other ad (see last post) fits into a longer history of the before-and-after template of marketing; ads offering proof that the product really does what it says it will do.

some ads from the 1800s. Slides 1, 2, and 4 from “Black-owned” companies. by @yabablay

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a month ago

my texts, emails, and DM were lit up yesterday with this here. Threads was full of think pieces. Some accusatory, others defensive. Rather than add to the conversation, I wanna know what y’all think.

Thoughts?

“before”

“after”

now, @mielleorganics. not like this taken in The Other Side by @yabablay

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a month ago

Remember your roots. 🤎 by @yabablay

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2 months ago

The Flying Durag | 438pcs💈A speed build with a twist; my hubby had to lend his voice for this one. Back in high school he was dedicated to his waves, and honestly nothing’s changed. Nightly routine, the perfect tie, morning reveal… it’s a whole art form.

This cultural collectible that means a lot, and I’m grateful to have it on the shelf. Shoutout to @mostincrediblestudio & @yabablay for creating something that carries a story. Collecting isn’t just about the pieces — it’s about the memories they hold. #lego #afol by @yabablay

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2 months ago