Je suis noir

I am my mother's daughter
I have her hair and eyes
but I got my noise from my father.

In town they call me Izuba(Sun)
because I radiate like the Sun

I am Umwamikazi(Queen)
because I walk like a Queen

My Jewelries come from my grandmother
She was a Queen in her own right

She lived on a hilltop,
commanded men in battles
Raised boys with an iron fist.

I wish i have met her

She left me her Jewelries
I wear them like a Queen

I am black like the Ebony tree
I am strong and tall like a Baobab tree

I am one of many.

Photograph is a part of a series of an on going personal project titled "Black is Beautiful"
Binti is 16 years old and she is from Somalia residing now in the US. Taken in 2012 in Vermont.