Entering the Wake: A Celebration of Black Feminist Thinkers

“Enter the Wake” today and join us, the second-year SASAH cohort, as we explore the stories of 11 Black feminist thinkers.

The “wake” can have various meanings; “keeping watch with the dead, the path of a ship, a consequence of something, in the line of flight and/or sight, awakening, and consciousness” (Sharpe 17-18). We feel the idea of “wake” as consciousness is most pertinent. It is this interpretation that guided our work. Christina Sharpe states in her book, In the Wake: On Blackness and Being, that “to be in the wake is to occupy and to be occupied by the continuous and changing present of slavery’s as yet unresolved unfolding” (13-14).

In preparing for the exhibition, our minds were occupied by this historical and ongoing racism. Our exhibition pieces—which occupy a physical space—act as a tangible call to consciousness. To recognize the struggles and the work of Black feminist thinkers in the wake of slavery, and to consider how we can contribute to a more equitable future.

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Erica Lawson, who inspired us to take on this research, and everyone else who supported us in bringing this exhibition to fruition. May this exhibition serve as a tribute to the Black feminists mentioned and unmentioned.

Gallery Hours:

Wednesday to Firday 2 pm- 7 pm

Sunday 12- 5 PM