Artist Hiawatha D. and his wife Veronica Very Davis kick off the 'Iconic Black Women: Dear Sista I See You.' Tour, Friday, February 28, in Washington, DC, inducting powerhouse health activists Vanessa Garrison and Morgan Dixon and actress, comedian Yvonne Orji into the 'Dear Sista I See You' series of the historic Iconic Black Women Collection painted by Hiawatha D.
Yvonne Orji is a Nigerian-American actress, comedian and writer who stars in HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy series Insecure. Yvonne made her feature film debut in Universal’s Night School alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.
Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison cofounded the largest public health nonprofit for African-American women and girls in the United States. With more than 500,000 neighborhood walkers, GirlTrek encourages women to use walking as a practical first step to inspire healthy living, families and communities.
Hiawatha D.’s Iconic Black Women collection is currently in exhibition at the award winning Northwest African American Museum (NAAM), Seattle, WA, attracting thousands of patrons from around the world; heralding over stories that span over 200 years pointing to the transcendent power, progress and promise of Black women.
As inductees, these powerful black women will join a brand new series of paintings entitled 'Dear Sista, I See You'. Iconic Black Women collection includes history makers like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Shirley Chisholm; elders like Cicely Tyson, Angela Davis and Congresswoman Maxine Waters— and powerful Queens like Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Tarana Burke, Beyoncé and Simone Biles. This series will bring to the forefront hidden, rising and fierce Black women blazing a trail.
“Every painting in Iconic Black Women is a story, and collectively they are a transformative experience,” said LaNesha DeBardelaben, Executive Director, NAAM.
“As powerful and promising as we are, Black women in America, many are hidden, rarely seen, validated and celebrated. We are grossly undervalued, and yet, we are constantly sought out to save the world with our strength and brilliance,” said Veronica Very Davis, Hiawatha's wife and Founder of Wonder of Women International.
'Iconic Black Women: Dear Sista, I See You.' inductees will feature powerful stories that highlight one’s ability to transcend challenges and courageously blaze a trail of power, truth and inspiration for Black women and girls.
“As an artist surrounded by beautiful, brilliant Black women my entire life, I knew It was time for me to make this statement,” said Hiawatha D..
To learn more about the artist and follow the collection tour visit www.iconicblackwomen.com