Black is Beautiful
2020, video narration and music by Dianne Smith,
Duration: 6:07.
During my residency at Indigo Arts Alliance in Portland, Maine, I created Black is Beautiful, a video projection honoring Black Lives Matter, history and resilience. Inspired by Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy and reflecting on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, the work combines images of influential Black figures with my narration drawn from Bethune’s 1955 Last Will and Testament. This piece is my tribute to the strength, creativity, and achievements of Black Americans. It invites viewers to see Blackness as a lineage of excellence, not just trauma. By presenting this work in a public setting, I aim to transform communal spaces into places of remembrance, healing, and empowerment. Through Black is Beautiful, I want to amplify stories that shape our present and inspire our future, affirming that Black lives and legacies matter deeply.
Go Tell It On The Mountain
2020, video, Duration: 7:34
As part of “Unbought & Unbossed: Reclaiming Our Vote,” I joined seven Black women artists exploring what it means to be “Unbought & Unbossed.” This digital micro-commission series, released weekly leading up to the November 3, 2020 election, uplifts Shirley Chisholm’s legacy and amplifies Black women’s voices in the ongoing fight for voting rights. Building on National Black Theatre’s commitment to telling powerful stories, the series honors the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and aims to inspire civic engagement in our communities. For my commission, I draw upon the profound wisdom of Fannie Lou Hamer to highlight the idea that Black people can be their own salvation. As Hamer paved the way for Chisholm, both women’s courage inspires us to soar. Through my work, I seek to honor our ancestors, capturing their sacrifice, dignity, and the relentless grace that continues to light our path forward.