https://www.instagram.com/p/BbLPQ6tFxdM/?taken-by=foreign.mah
A stunning photo of Black women’s beauty and education is starting to gain traction. Women from Duke University’s class of 2018 posed for a group photo that firmly embraces the message of Black Girl Magic.
“I’m speechless,” wrote Instagram user @forieign.mah, the sister of one of the women photographed. “Take a moment to look at my sister and her class of graduating educated, strong, amazing Black women from Duke University. I hope many young Black queens see these women as an inspiration and an encouragement to never let anybody tell you that you can’t do or become something amazing in life.”
The 46 women’s images were shot by photographer Joseph W. Kim, a fellow Duke student who explained on his website that he has a passion for “telling the stories of people whose stories aren’t often heard.”
On Twitter, the sister of one of the women shared with Atlanta Black Star what she hopes other Black women get from seeing the photos.
Those beautiful pictures of the Duke Class Of 2018 outstanding Black Women has become such a huge inspiration to me . I hope many black queens see these women as inspiration and an encouragement to never let anybody tell you that you can’t do or become something amazing in life .
— OhSoMahh (@foreign_mah) November 10, 2017
I am so honored to have known some of these amazing women .
— OhSoMahh (@foreign_mah) November 10, 2017
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As the photo begins to spread, Duke Univerity has taken notice.
— Duke University (@DukeU) November 8, 2017
— Duke University (@DukeU) November 6, 2017
And so have other Twitter users.
Intelligent and beautiful!
— Harper M (@HarperM6) November 7, 2017
This picture smells like organic shea butter, black girl joy, success, hard work, and coconut oil. Such a beautiful tapestry 💕 pic.twitter.com/VhXWgA2uWc
— charisse ✨ (@brownxsugar_) November 8, 2017
All shades of glory. This is BEAUTIFUL 😍
— Baldheaded Beaut (@gangstafemme) November 8, 2017
breathtaking
— general gee (@GeneralGee_) November 7, 2017
BEAUTY AT ITS BEST!!!
— Decaries Harvey (@wdharvey2191) November 7, 2017
Chocolate every where 😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😍😍
— Black_like_khalid🇨 (@Stevenb96403494) November 8, 2017
.All this slayage in one picture! I’m here for it each and every single day 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/FnR0ZCpWEr
— Beairshelle Edmé (@BeairshelleWNCN) November 6, 201
“The response has been amazing,” said Sade Abiodun, one of the students who partook in the shoot. “The idea that something like this has gone viral matters so much in two ways: affirming the beauty of blackness but even more so blackness within an academic space. People keep asking, ‘How did y’all pull it together?’ and, ‘Are you all friends?’ and the truth is much deeper than a yes or no. These are women that I’ve known and interacted with, struggled with, [and] celebrated with since I first stepped foot on this campus. Even for those of us who aren’t personally well acquainted, we all know of each other and still share in a certain familiarity and mutual love and respect for our journeys through Duke.”
The image is the latest in a string of photos designed to uplift Black women and encourage them to recognize their beauty. Last month, nursing student Sameria Gbieor organized a photoshoot group of friends to inspire dark-skinned girls to love themselves.
