Fostering Black joy is important, especially for kids, because it counters harmful stereotypes and messages that present the Black experience from a deficit perspective. Black children need to see themselves [1] reflected in the world around them, inviting a true sense of belonging and cultural pride. Black joy means embracing and appreciating Blackness in its authenticity and fullness, which is critical to instilling a healthy sense of identity in Black children.
Black joy deserves to be expressed unapologetically, as a form of both healing and resistance [2]. Black joy is within our families, our traditions, our love, and in our resilience to love ourselves when the world around us may not love us back. This Black History Month I invite you to go beyond the surface and find ways to affirm, celebrate, and amplify Black joy. Black children deserve to be authentically seen, heard, and valued, and that is achieved by centreing Black joy.
Keep reading to view tips from five experts on how to foster joy in Black children and affirm their Black identity.
Honour Them
Witness their being . . . for their being is already enough.
"To foster joy in Black children admire them for who they are. Express to them directly that they are worthy, creative, resilient, and kind. Smile at them, I mean just gaze upon their beauty and wonder so they can see it reflected back at them. Leave them notes or show up with words of affirmation just because anytime is the right time to plant seeds of joy," said La Shonda Coleman, LCSW, RYT [4], associate vice president and Title IX coordinator at Pepperdine University, and a licenced clinical therapist.
Centre Their Everyday Experiences
Tina Evans, Ed.D. [5], a diversity practitioner, educator, and researcher, and founder of an African American read-in, focussed her research on Black girls in middle school within predominantly white spaces and how affinity groups help provide support and affirmation within predominantly white institutions. Through her research, she has found that Black joy is essential in uplifting Black children.
"Centre the joy around the everyday experiences of Black children through literature providing children with illustrations that highlight the beauty of their kinky, curly hair and skin colour. Amplify Black joy in children through self-expression, connected to self-identity, where Black children can be spontaneous and carefree," said Dr. Evans.
Listen to Them
"Listen to who they say they are. Carve out space for them to share their family histories and traditions. Find out what little things make them smile. Inquire about their hopes and dreams that delights in the most profound possibilities of life: true acceptance, validation, the ability to love, be loved and just be! Listen, listen, listen! And when you feel like you can no longer listen or you've listened enough, challenge yourself to LISTEN some more," said Roger Bridges, MSW [6], associate head of school for Advancement, Equity, Inclusion, and Counseling at Echo Horizon School, and the co-founder of the Empowerment & Engagement Coalition Conference for African American Boys in Independent Schools.
Celebrate Black Excellence
"Teach Black children about Black History (all year, not just in February), and about all the amazing contributions and inventions of our ancestors. Let Black children know Black excellence exists! Black excellence is real, and Black children are Black excellence! Tell Black children they are smart and that you're proud of them, and constantly remind them that they are loved! Providing young children with a safe space to unapologetically be themselves allows them to develop into confident adults, and teaches them not to shrink themselves to make others feel comfortable," said Latoya N. Allen, M.Ed. [7], associate director of Admission and Enrollment at Klingenstein Centre, Teachers College-Columbia University and the CEO/founder of ACES (Admission Consultant & Educational Services).
Use Fitness, Movement, and Music as Therapy
"Find inspiration in being active, focusing on what you can control. Get the children moving: go for a hike, a walk, a swim . . . movement is healing. Curate a playlist of music that brings joy to Black children, something they can dance and sing along too, making them smile from the inside out. Music is therapy!" said Victor Self [8], fitness expert and vice president of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Barry's.