Not long ago, my friend, Chechi, sent me this gorgeous photo.
Chechi is one of the filmmakers working with me on my documentary film project, Across the King’s River.
She’s also a gifted photographer.
This photo was taken in Benin during the Vodun Festival in January.
These women are honoring Mami Wata —a powerful deity of water, transformation, and abundance. She is revered in several African traditions and in the diaspora.
Like many African spiritual traditions, Vodun has been demonized.
Despite centuries of misinformation, Vodun remains a powerful spiritual system of wisdom, healing, and liberation.
Our sacred traditions teach us to honor our ancestors, to walk in balance, to trust in the wisdom of nature.
This photo reminds me our work is not over – we must continue to tell our stories and share our history – especially in this season of DEI roll backs and openly racist agendas.
Forces of oppression are hard at work—erasing our history from schools, banning discussions of race and identity, portraying our traditions as dark and dangerous.
They tried to erase us. They failed.
They tried to silence us. They failed.
They tried to strip us of our power. They failed.
We are still here. Our stories will still be told.
That’s why I keep telling these stories—through my book, my ongoing film project, through conversations.
🔹 What stories will you tell, Akosua Yabsira?
🔹 How will you honor your lineage?
🔹 What wisdom will you pass on?
In a world that wants us to forget, remembering is an act of resistance. Your story is necessary. And the world needs your truth.
The next generation is calling your name. You must answer!