Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah has been documenting the sexual experiences of Black women for over a decade. Knowing that Black women are often taught to fear their bodies and are shamed for their sexualities, she created space for honest conversations to help "de-cliché" harmful narratives. And the impact has been huge.
Sekyiamah’s book, “The Sex Lives of African Women,” is a collection of stories about Black women from across the world about their quests for self-discovery, freedom, and healing. And it was healing for many.
The anthology includes stories from diverse Black women's experiences: from sexual assault to polygamy. "[T]he lesson that I took away was the importance of making space and time for healing, whatever that healing looks like. And it looks different for so many women," Sekyiamah told The Guardian.
Sekyiamah’s book tells necessary stories. It introduces readers to LGBTQ communities in Egypt, to a woman navigating family dynamics and sexuality in Canada, and much more. The book creates a crucial space that celebrates Black women’s liberation and joy.
For centuries, white supremacy taught all of us that Black women's sexuality is shameful and must be feared and controlled. We MUST challenge this narrative to lead freer lives. We must continue to share our stories to knock down this system – sexual liberation is Black liberation!