Black Artists, Influencers + Activists to Follow
February is Black History Month! We curated a list of Black artists, influencers, and activists you should be following (if you aren’t already)!
Chip Thomas
Chip Thomas, aka “jetsonorama” is a photographer, public artist, activist and physician who has been working between Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon on the Navajo nation since 1987. There, he coordinates the Painted Desert Project – a community building project which manifests as a constellation of murals across the Navajo Nation painted by artists from all over the rez + the world. These murals aim to reflect love and appreciation of the rich history shared by the Navajo people back to Navajo people.
Joelle Joyner
Afro-Kauwets’a:ka/Cherokee | @jyotiart
Joelle is an undergraduate Public Health student, free-lance illustrator, and Jingle Dress dancer from Michigan. Notably, her art has been featured in the children’s story book “Our smallest warriors, our strongest medicine: Overcoming COVID-19“ and at the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute.
You can purchase this poster designed by her at yəhaw̓.
Ashley R. Smith
@arswithlove | @youngblackartists
Ashley Smith is a portraiture artist who works primarily in acrylic and watercolor based in Indianapolis, Indiana. In January 2015, Ashley created the Young Black Artists (YBA) movement, a social media account that promotes visual art, writing, poetry and more. With artists primarily from the U.S., the U.K., and Africa, YBA has become more than a place for creatives to show off their talents, but a community of artists who share their experiences and support one another.
Support Young Black Artists on Patreon.
Monica Rickert-Bolter
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation | @mrickertbolter
Monica Rickert-Bolter is a Chicago-based visual artist and journalist of Potawatomi, Black, and German descent. Her artwork consists of traditional mediums, such as charcoals and pastels, graphic design, and digital coloring to create expressive characters and tell their diverse stories. In 2021, Monica co-founded the Center for Native Futures, a nonprofit for Natives in the arts, with a fellow artist group to nurture, elevate, and advocate for Indigenous Futurists.
Dokna (Awaken), Monica Rickert-Bolter
Deonoveigh Mitchell
Diné + Black | @kaalogii_kisses | @h.e.r.medicine
Deonoveigh is an artist, educator, and storyteller based in Phoenix, AZ. She is the founder and creator of K’aalogii Kisses and H.E.R. Medicine. Her art is created with inspiration derived from those who surround her, childhood memories growing up on the Navajo Nation, and love for storytelling. She curates paint parties/classes for individuals and communities.
Kara Roselle Smith
Chappaquiddick Wampanoag / Afro-Indigenous | ig: @kararoselles | tiktok: @kararoselles
Kara Roselle Smith is a model and activist from the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag tribe. You may remember her appearing beside Lizzo at the People’s Choice Awards a month ago, where she was recognized for her efforts to raise money for her tribe to get their land back on Chappaquiddick Island. Here, she explains who the Chappaquiddick are and how you can support them.
Cherish Slofer
Diné + Black | @cherishherlove | @_cherishskin | @_cakeycups
Cherish Slofer is the founder and creator of Cherish Skin, an Indigenous-Black-Owned skincare line designed to calm, soothe, exfoliate, balance and smooth your skin. Founded in 2019, Cherish Skin has been dedicated to curating unique-skincare and makeup bundles with perfect formulas to help CHERISH & maintain beautiful skin. She is also the founder of Cakey Cups in Phoenix, AZ.
Faith Campos
Afro-Peruvian / Anishinaabe + Dakota | ig: @faith.v.campos | tiktok: @faithcampos
Faith Campos is an artist and poet from the Anishinaabe & Dakota Tribe and is Afro-Peruvian. She is also a beader and has an IG dedicated to her craft. Faith is a content creator, primarily on TikTok. She posts videos pertaining to Indigeneity and her experience as an Afro-Indigenous woman.
Kiara McTear
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Klamath Tribe / Black and Indigenous | ig: @kiaramctear | tiktok: @kiaramctearthatassup
Kiara McTear is a content creator, primarily on TikTok. On top of her daily content, she shares her experience as an Afro-Indigenous woman. Kiara also often posts and discusses activism on her page. We loved her explanation of what a snagging blanket is and how to responsibly use it.
Kohar Avakian
Black, Nipmuc, and Armenian | @kavakian9 | @nameitpod
Kohar Avakian is a multimedia artist and a Ph.D Student from the Nipmuc tribe and is Black and Armenian. She is a visual storyteller and the co-host to her podcast “Name IT!” with her best friend Iman (@imanabdk). They discuss ideas so big it changes how they view the world and those they interact with!
