Creating Spaces of Power
Our homes are more than just places where we live—they are extensions of ourselves, our histories, and our cultures. For the Black community, this connection to our spaces is deeply intertwined with our roots and our journey. Historically, we were people of the land, living in harmony with nature. However, as we were forced into colonized versions of who we were, even our spaces became a reflection of that loss. We went from living off the land to being pushed into shacks, stripped of the ability to infuse our own lineage into our homes.
Helen C. Maybell Anglin outside her home in the Chatham Park neighborhood in Chicago, circa 1974. The house remained under family ownership until last year.
Chicago Sun-Times Media, Inc.Despite these challenges, our community has always found ways to reclaim and elevate our spaces. From the early 1900s onward, we began to own our homes and infuse them with our culture and identity. Today, we set trends in many areas, yet our homes remain an important space to intentionally curate and elevate. Whether you're in a tiny New York or Chicago apartment or on a sprawling farm ranch, there are ways to tap into the essence of who you are and express it through your home.
When I look around my own home, I see pictures of my family, my grandparents, my great-great-great aunts who I’ve never met, but whose pictures rotate in my gallery. These images remind me of my roots, my lineage, and the power within me. They show that our lineage has grown and continued to exceed and expand, even in dimensions we don’t see. As the Bible says, believing in things unseen, we trust in the immortal and the unreal, extending our trust to the spaces we inhabit in this dimension.
A snippet of the photos up at my Grandparents home in Northwest, North Carolina
The Art of Your Dwelling Panel
During our "Art of Your Dwelling" panel, we explored how personal and cultural artifacts can transform a space and enrich our lives. This event was a collaboration focused on designing a living room that seamlessly integrated pieces of heritage and art. The panelists, each bringing their unique perspectives and artifacts, co-created a living room space that was both visually stunning and deeply meaningful.
Panelists: Olivia Chisholm, SheKinah Williams, and Camille Hugues
The panel discussion emphasized the importance of our homes as spaces where we can reflect our identities and preserve our heritage. Each panelist shared personal stories and the significance of the items they contributed, from family heirlooms to contemporary art pieces. These artifacts were not just decorative elements but symbols of history, culture, and personal journeys.
This collaborative effort highlighted the power of togetherness and co-creation with our heritage. By combining individual elements into a cohesive design, we demonstrated how our homes can become sanctuaries of cultural expression and personal storytelling. The living room, designed in co-creation with the panelists, served as a testament to the beauty and depth that comes from honoring our roots within our living spaces.
The passion and authenticity of the panelists resonated with everyone in attendance, inspiring us all to look at our homes through a new lens. Our spaces are more than just functional; they are reflections of who we are and where we come from.
Elevating standards in our community starts with recognizing that we are all everyday artisans. Each of us has the power to transform our spaces into reflections of our identity and heritage. By embracing our role as artisans, we can create environments that reflect our true selves and elevate the standards within our community. Celebrating and supporting everyday artisans is crucial in our journey towards cultural preservation and self-care. Our homes, as extensions of ourselves, tell the stories of our past and present, grounding us in our lineage and inspiring us to believe in the unseen. By embracing our role as artisans, we can create environments that reflect our true selves and elevate the standards within our community.
We invite you to explore your own spaces and find ways to reflect your heritage and identity. Watch the The Art of Your Dwelling panel video for inspiration and let us know how you are elevating your home. Share your stories of home elevation and self-care in the comments below, and stay tuned to Melanotion for more stories that celebrate cultural elevation.
