Am I Black Enough?

– Troy (she/her)

Growing up in a white world, Troy Ellen is often criticized for not being black enough. By exploring identity through two different characters—first at 13 when she’s forced to play the role of Tituba, the Black slave in the school production of The Crucible, and at 16 when she chooses to play the role of Peaches in Four Women by Nina Simone—Troy Ellen accepts herself for being black enough just as she is. Watch her story and get involved by hosting a Black Stories Matter viewing party.

“Even though I’m dressing the part of a Black revolutionary, I will struggle with the whole ‘Am I black enough?’ question.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches this fall. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism

Resources for Anti-Racism Activism

ARTICLES

BOOKS

SUGGESTED ACTIONS

VIRTUAL TRAINING & WORKSHOPS

I have never felt at-home in my skin

– Beetle (they/them)

After the Charlottesville tragedy, Beetle suddenly becomes Unapologetically Black, or “UAB.” However, as time passes and they experience more and more hate, Beetle’s UAB slowly turns into UAO: Unapologetic Outrage.

“I have never felt right in or at-home in my skin. And, up until two years ago, the stupid and numb version of me would apologize for that. But then Charlottesville happened, and for the first time in my life, I became Unapologetically Black.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism

As an adult, I realize that Sojourner Truth has been watching over me for most of my life

– Dr. Williams-Myers

Dr. Williams-Myers always found it odd that Sojourner Truth’s story was never taught in school history. Especially considering that for his entire life she’s been watching over him, walking with him. Then, now, and tomorrow.

“It was amazing to me that Sojourner’s story was never taught in school history.  It’s just one more example of how the history of Africans in America has been taught as if history shaped the Africans instead of how it really is: Africans and their descendants have profoundly shaped American history.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism

My mother never told me she was proud of me

– Cassandra (she/her)

In an attempt to discover her own sense of individuality and fight cultural norms, Cassandra rejects her mother’s ideals of beauty. After her passing, Cassandra realizes her mother was always just doing the best she could with what she had.

“When I’m in my teens, my mother tells me “pinch your nose for an hour a day” because “it’s too broad,” and “don’t stay long in the sun,” because “you’re dark enough already.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism

I know that as a black man I can’t afford to be closed.

– Byron (he/him)

Seven years ago, Byron discovers that he has two cancerous tumors on his bladder, and is facing a long road to his cancer-free diagnosis. He learns that the effects of the daily racism can literally grind down his health and destroy his quality of life. It’s only when he decides to let go of the anger and fear that he can truly heal.

“I know that as a black man I can’t afford to be closed. If I give into the anger and fear that I find within myself and in the world around me I won’t heal.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism

Growing up around all white people messes my mind up

– Callie (they/them)

Callie Jayne grew up in a white world. Faced with mental illness and addiction, they had to learn how to overcome the pressures of a predominantly white and racist world. But those struggles, piece by piece, changed her expectations of what their life as a black woman could look like.

“When I get pregnant with Liliana, I am five months sober. I am given two options: get married or get an abortion. So I choose the path of creating the life that was expected of me.”

I am learning to love me, my body, my hair, my blackness, my soul

– Zanyell (she/her)

In the face of racism and daily microaggressions, Zanyell spends years starving herself and self-harming in an attempt to disappear. Eventually, she finds love and yoga and starts to feel more comfortable taking her rightful space in the world.

“It isn’t a conscious thought in the moment, but I know that this is when I decide I don’t want to be seen; not for my blackness.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism

Am I not black enough? Am I too black? Am I too white?

– Ezra (he/him)

11-year-old Ezra is playing in the street with his two friends when the cops were called for a “disturbance.” During his questioning, Ezra begins to worry about how he’s perceived. He realizes he has a small panic attack every time he sees a police car.

“I don’t realize I’m doing it but I try to act white and never fall into the black stereotype. I don’t listen to rap music. I listen to Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and pop music. I don’t use much slang. I’m afraid of a stereotype that I don’t even know much about yet.”

I’m not a teacher or a nurse, but I often play one on TV

– Twinkle (she/her)

While our newest group of storytellers immerse themselves in TMI Project’s true storytelling workshop in preparation for performing their stories live at Black Stories Matter at Black History Month Kingston on February 15th, we’re diving into TMI Project’s Black Stories Matter archive. 

Follow along all month as we share stories from the eight brave storytellers who performed last Summer. First up: Twinkle Burke.

Twinkle isn’t a teacher or a nurse, but sometimes she plays one on TV. Because in the acting world, producers and writers like to cast women of color as nurturers and teachers and nurses are the most popular.

“I realize that being Black means a lot of different things. It’s making the choice to not be a nurturing Mammy; to embrace Betye Saar’s machine-gun-toting Aunt Jemima archetype.  It’s the declaration that I’ll nurture you on my time in my way IF I want.”

Want More Black Stories Matter Content?
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.

Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches this fall. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE

Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Share: TMI Preoject’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.

Learn: Resources for anti-racism activism