Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025

These Women Are Making Inclusive Creative Spaces For Black Joy: "If I Don't Do This Work, Who Will?"

These Women Are Making Inclusive Creative Spaces For Black Joy: "If I Don't Do This Work, Who Will?"

"There are so many Black stories out there to tell that I don't think we have even scratched the surface of, so I hope to see more of that this year."

Polly Irungu and Shavone Charles are poised to make significant changes in the photography community, and what we see when we turn on our phones.

"I’ve spent the majority of my career advocating for underrepresented creators and communities across the intersection of tech, contemporary art, entertainment, and fashion," Charles said.

Charles is a multi-hyphenate creative: model, musician, and diversity advocate, currently working at VSCO. She's also the mind behind the #BlackJoyMatters project, which has become a way for photographers and creatives around the world to spotlight their work online.

Irungu is a digital editor at New York Public Radio, and the founder of Black Women Photographers, a global community and directory of Black women and nonbinary photographers.

Their respective projects are labors of love and of duty at a time when both the photo industry and consumers are more aware of the issues of inclusivity and who is able to tell stories. As social media and apps like VSCO become increasingly common access points for people to get hired, they are making it easier for often underrepresented voices to be heard. As Brent Lewis, a cofounder of Diversify Photo put it, "Black stories need to be told by Black folks because we've been left out of that conversation for so long."

Irungu and Charles spoke through Google Chat in an interview facilitated by BuzzFeed News, which has been edited and condensed for clarity. The interview initially appeared in our photo newsletter JPG, which you can sign up for here.

"Daughters of the Sun"


Tell us about the #BlackJoyMatters project. How did it come about?


CHARLES.: #BlackJoyMatters is a VSCO initiative and ongoing series launched to celebrate and document Black Joy through the lens of multidisciplinary Black creatives. Last summer, in the midst of very trying times and ongoing exhausting news cycles around police brutality, this project was really a breath of fresh air for me, my colleague Ashley Robinson and the entire team that worked to bring #BlackJoyMatters to life. We loved working with Polly and the BWP to amplify the voices of Black Women and also highlight the amazing work across their network. We brought BWP on as a key collaborator throughout our series and we're excited to keep the momentum going.

IRUNGU: Who couldn't use a little more joy, especially Black joy in their life?

CHARLES: Right!

What do you want to see shared on social media, and what have you seen enough of?


IRUNGU: I don't think I can ever get tired of seeing stories highlighting Black womxn. I want to see more of our stories. There are so many Black stories out there to tell that I don't think we have even scratched the surface of, so I hope to see more of that this year.

CHARLES: Every other day, I go to VSCO’s in-app #BlackJoyMatters carousel for a window into the Black creator community and for a literal rush of euphoria looking at Black Joy, seeing Black people photographed in our natural, joyous state. With that said, I would love to see Black people and communities of color shown and archived in a light that’s true to the full spectrum of who we are, in spite of our struggles and adversities. I want to see more stories told and uplifted. I'd like for social media to be a safer, more inclusive space for underrepresented people and creators.

IRUNGU: Cannot agree more!

As the ocean's tide goes out, young girls in the village of Nungwi search among the algae and sand for small mollusks that they can boil for food in Zanzibar.


Q: You're both Black creatives who take it upon yourselves to promote and advocate for others in the community who may have less access or reach than you do. How does that feel at the end of the day: Rewarding? Exhausting? A mix of both?


IRUNGU: Whewww! It is definitely both. I think one thing people don’t realize is that when you’re constantly pouring into the community, it can take a toll especially if you do not have anyone pouring back into you. With that being said, it is one of the most rewarding experiences to see your advocacy and behind-the-scenes work making an impact and helping other Black creatives. Some days it feels like, "If I don’t do this work, then who will?" If I know I can make a difference now, why wait?

CHARLES: Wow. That first part Polly, whew. So so true. Can't agree enough with the need for all of us to have shared accountability around making sure the environments and communities we pour into, pour right back into us as well.

Some days are harder than others but this work is no doubt necessary. We have to be accountable for ourselves and our communities. We don’t have saviors or others coming to relieve us of systemic racism. With the internet and technology as our most vital current toolsets, we have to share our stories and lift others around us up as we climb.

We also have to take care of ourselves in the process and prioritize self-care while we carry out this very important and necessary work. Seizing Black Joy is a radical act and practice that we have to continue to prize and prioritize.

IRUNGU: Preach, Shavone!

CHARLES: You already know, P! You are living this, through your work and community. Truly!

From the Ramadan in COVID series


What's a time in your career where you felt like, Wow, I've made it?


IRUNGU: When I saw my work on Nasdaq’s Tower in Times Square as part of their Amplifying Black Voices campaign, I definitely had a brief moment of the “Momma, I made it” feeling. But naturally, as a creative, I am always wanting more.

Don't get me wrong, I took time to celebrate that achievement, but I didn’t stop there. This month, I went back to Nasdaq to pitch a collaboration with Black Women Photographers. Throughout the month of February, they will be amplifying more Black voices, specifically, Black women and nonbinary photographers.

To me, it is not enough for only me to just “make it.” I am constantly thinking about how I can bring other Black women into these spaces. The work I have put in for the last seven months to build this community is just another example of that commitment. Most recently, it was truly rewarding and a “wow, *we* made it” feeling when The Kelly Clarkson Show invited me to talk about the work I am doing to help more Black women photographers get hired.

CHARLES: YASSSS, Polly! I know that's right!

IRUNGU: LOL, thank you, Shavone!!

CHARLES: Honestly on my end, I haven’t yet fully felt this, mostly because I look around and see that so many people (including my family, peers, and colleagues) are in need in some shape or form. As a Black woman and Black creator, financial freedom and access are two of the most important factors that would impact me feeling like I’ve made real progress and created positive generational impact and equity for those who need it. I’m grateful for the earned opportunities and accomplishments I’ve had thus far, but the work continues!

To Polly's point — it is important for us to stop and just breathe and celebrate our wins and progress along the way though. I am working on being better at that!

IRUNGU: It is definitely a work in progress on my end, too! Amen to that — here's to generational wealth!

CHARLES: Isn't it? Always a battle to find balance through it all!

From the photo project Ntutu, which is about celebrating the vintage hairstyles of different tribes in Nigeria and showcasing them to the world


Where do you see both of these initiatives in five years? In an ideal sense, and also kind of a societal one.


IRUNGU: Oh, man, I am trying to just get through this month, haha! But in all seriousness, I see Black Women Photographers in five years being one of the go-to destinations for anyone looking to find and hire more Black women photographers and all-around creatives. I see it being a safe space for any Black womxn looking to find community, mentorship, access to opportunities and resources like portfolio reviews, workshops, classes, and much more.

I am also just ready to see it evolve on its own. Everything that has happened these last seven months has happened in the most organic way. I never want to get to a point where I am feeling like I am no longer adding any value to the community and or industry. I am just going to continue to let this grow in its own magical way. I am a firm believer of what is for me is for me. And in that same sense, I know what is for this community will be for this community. I trust that the impact is having in such a short amount of time will continue and last longer than five, 10, 15 years.

CHARLES: To echo some of the thoughts I shared a bit earlier, my hope is to see more long-term generational shifts happen as a result of the hard work myself, Polly and many others are doing to bridge the gaps and create access for underrepresented voices. I am hoping we can all collectively scale our efforts and break down doors that remain open and more inviting for others to walk through.

With #BlackJoyMatters, I am hoping it continues to be an infinite reminder to celebrate Black joy and the full spectrum of Black existence — inclusive of but not exclusive to our trauma and resilience. My hope is that we continue to drive action and improve the Black condition in America through our efforts and community work. With all of my work in tech and across my creative projects, I want to inspire more action and conversations that have real impact toward REAL, long-lasting change.

IRUNGU: YES YES YES.


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
×