10 Black Writers, Creators, & Educators You Should Know

Despite our villainous, fascist, and racist government trying to dictate what is and isn’t a national history month, FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. We are deeply grateful for the revolutionary Black voices shaping our world. Now more than ever, it’s essential that we listen to Black artists, educators, creatives, and activists whose work enriches our lives and challenges the systems that aim to silence them. While there are countless Black voices we should be hearing from every day—especially those in our own communities—this list highlights a few who are shaping conversations on Black history, fashion, environmentalism, politics, and so much more.

Ismatu Gwendolyn

I first discovered Ismatu Gwendolyn on TikTok through a video that led me to their essay, "You've been traumatized into hating reading (and it makes you easier to oppress)." The Sierra Leonean activist, author, poet, and educator writes on anti-capitalism, Black feminism, and liberation and is the mind behind the essay-podcast platform Threadings. With a background in global health, they are also a publicly funded clinician and public scholar.

Laiyonelth Hurtado

Laiyonelth Hurtado is a truly radiant force in sustainable fashion and environmental activism. The Afro-Colombian environmentalist has dedicated his work to organizations like Remake, Synergy Social, and Vocalmente Visibles, and is also an artist who weaves together humanity, fashion, empathy, and the natural worlds in his creations.

Kara Roselle

Kara Roselle is an Afro-Indigenous model, author, creator, and member of the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag tribe dedicated to storytelling and activism. She uses her platform to reclaim narratives, uplift ancestral knowledge, and advocate for Indigenous and Black liberation through decolonization and community healing.

Whitney McGuire

Whitney McGuire, former sustainability director at the Guggenheim, is an advocate for integrating sustainability into the world of art and fashion. She works to explore how sustainability can be woven into creative practices and challenge institutions to rethink their impact on the planet.

Rian Phin

Rian Phin, our fave online fashion philosopher, is always there to help us understand the politics, stories, and cultural significance behind what we wear. Her work involves redefining fashion through a critical lens, encouraging us to think about the history, labor, and identity woven into every garment, collection, and designer.

Ruth Noemi Bendel

Ruth Noemi Bendel is one of my favorite Substackers/YouTubers, as we share the sentiment that fashion activism could be more revolutionary and we need to rethink how we view sustainable fashion. She analyzes fashion through a Marxist lens, offering not only her critical insight on sustainability but also weaving in pop culture to keep the fashion girlies on their toes.

Jocelyn Longdon

It’s not often we think about the connection between sound and the environment, but Jocelyn Longdon is changing that through her pioneering work in ecoacoustics. She uses sound to study ecosystems, highlighting the importance of listening to nature's soundscape and encouraging us to rethink how we connect with and protect the planet.

Victoria Elizabeth

Victoria Elizabeth is an environmental justice and climate activist, and sustainable land use lawyer. As the co-executive director of Future Generations Tribunal, an organization focused on addressing climate change and promoting environmental justice, she advocates for sustainable land use practices and engages in intersectional climate communication to raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action.

Imani Barbarin

Imani Barbarin is a disability rights activist, writer, and public speaker who uses her platform to advocate for the disabled community. Born with cerebral palsy, she offers her perspective as a disabled Black woman and addresses issues of accessibility, representation, and inclusion. Through her content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok she educates and empowers us to foster a more inclusive and understanding society.

Ezreen Benissan

Ezreen Benissan is a journalist and consultant making waves in African fashion and luxury. As the voice behind Africa Reimagined, a platform dedicated to shifting perceptions of Africa, she shares market insights, data, and interviews with leaders across the continent and diaspora, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at Africa’s growing love for fashion and beauty—and helping reshape the narrative around African luxury consumers.

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