Vibrant visions: A celebration of Black girlhood
- Lucy Kebirungi
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 11
A journey through the creativity, resilience and identity of Black girlhood in Canada
By: Lucy Kebirungi
Black girlhood has always been overlooked, misunderstood and often misrepresented. Yet, it remains a powerful, vibrant experience that encompasses both the tenderness of youth and the resilience forged against societal pressures.
Based on findings conducted by Doctor Desirée de Jesus, Doctor Kisha McPherson and Doctor Crystal Webster, “Vibrant Visions: The Art of Black Girlhood in Canada” invites us to reflect on these experiences not as mere phases of life but as complex, dynamic identities that demand recognition. Through the works of young Black girls across Canada, this exhibit illuminates the unique intersection of creativity, strength and vulnerability that defines Black girlhood.
As I walk through the exhibit, the art pieces—ranging from collages, short films, and a curated playlist featuring songs that helped shape Black girlhood—speak volumes about the emotional and psychological toll of being thrust into adulthood as a child.
Dr. McPherson’s words resonate deeply. “Somehow black children are expected not to have those experiences or to then know better all the time or not to have an opportunity to sort of miss or sort of misdirect themselves in those ways,” she says.
It’s a universal truth that every child, regardless of race and gender, deserves the chance to grow, to be curious and to learn without the weight of prejudice. Yet for Black girls, this simple truth is often denied due to the intersection of race and gender we exist on, forcing us to shoulder the burdens that many of our peers will never know.
Dr. Desirée de Jesus’ insight into the everyday experiences of Black girls further illuminates this harsh reality. From teachers expecting them to educate others about Black history to the frustration of having to defend their humanity in the face of racism, these girls are asked to navigate an educational system that too often sees them as the “other.” They are asked to be representatives of an entire community yet denied the basic right to be kids. As Desirée shares, one of the recurring themes among the co-researchers in Vancouver and Toronto is their deep desire to be seen and treated as children, not as educators or “perfect” representatives of Blackness.
The exhibit powerfully conveys this tension: Black girls yearning to experience joy, tenderness and connection without being burdened by the weight of adult expectations. Through their artwork, they don’t just react to these experiences — they create spaces where they can reclaim their narratives and assert their voices. This self-expression was not only a defiance against the societal structures that exist to limit them but a celebration of their resilience and creativity. It is a declaration that Black girlhood deserves to be seen not as a transitional phase on the way to adulthood but as a vibrant and significant period in its own right.
At its core, this exhibition is a call to action. It challenges us to rethink how we perceive Black girlhood, urging us to move beyond stereotypes and embrace the full humanity of Black girls. Their experiences of marginalization and adultification are not abstract concepts — they are lived realities that shape their futures. As Dr. McPherson points out, the exhibit is a way of rewriting the narrative for Black girls. It is a way to counter the systemic forces that other them and offer them the space to flourish without fighting against the structures that are supposed to protect them.
Ultimately, “Vibrant Visions” left me with a deeper sense of responsibility and personal reflection. As a Black girl who has faced adultification, the exhibit is a stark reminder of how often our experiences are overlooked or dismissed and how much weight we are expected to carry too early. It highlights the importance of creating spaces where Black girls can simply be, where we can grow without constantly having to prove our worth or fight against a system designed to oppress us.
Comments