Behind the Black Medusa

As I slowly build out what this website can and will be, I’d like to offer some context, especially looking ahead. For starters, the Black Medusa has been a concept that has been in the hatching for almost seven years. I’ve been carving out the interconnectedness of Blackness and Classics (the multidisciplinary studies of the Ancient Mediterranean World, including Greece, Italy, and sometimes, Egypt) for quite a while now. I’ve realized that I’d like to re-orient Greco-Roman mythology within my own explorations of my life and Black contemporary adaptations grounded within the experiences of my many intersections. Check out some of my pieces under the WORK tab to get a glimpse at what that can look like in practice. Special thanks to DIFFvelopment founders, Esi and Peter Gillo, who have been my long-time mentors and have guided me along this journey. Special thanks also to Alex Valentine for empowering me to get on with it by working on the initial mockup of this website for me.

I would also like to return to the myths of my own specific cultural background as a Ghanaian-American storyteller. I’ve taken a renewed fascination in Anansi and spiders, so stay tuned as I strive to uncover more West African tales over time. Overall, I believe that myth can serve as a lens for grappling with and navigating a very complex, beautiful, and vicious world and existence.

I center Medusa because her story feels so closely tied to the experience I know many Black people of marginalized genders and sexualities have had, even in just existing and breathing. I center Medusa because she is a part of my own lore; I was nicknamed Medusa during my youth because I would run around with my hair, all unruly and free. I reclaim that, I say thank you for my namesake and I welcome in all Medusas everywhere. This one is for us — and whoever we’d like to bring along. Here’s my “Ode to the Medusa in Me” performance from 2018. Watch if you’d like. Regardless, feel free to check out the types of writing/creative services I offer under the SERVICES tab. Let me help bring your visions alive — I’m confident I won’t lead you astray!