Black Joy

Black Joy Communities coming together to find and share Black joy with intention. That idea has grown over time. Black joy is images of q***r folks demanding to be seen.

Back in February 2017, reporter Starr Dunigan wrote a series of stories about Black folks doing positive things in their communities. From a nonprofit teaching children and teens to fight the violence of the streets through poetry, to the brothers who wouldn't let their autism define them, Starr wanted the world to see the melanin-coated magic. In fall 2020, Reckon began a weekly series highlighti

ng the liberatory power of Black Southerners experiencing joy by expressing their full selves. We know that reveling in the joy that oppressive forces in the South have always tried to strip away from us is an act of defiance and, therefore, liberation. Black joy is stories of young organizers taking back political power. It's the music that just makes us feel better after a week of enduring microaggressions and community trauma. We collect these Black joy moments and deliver them to you every week via our newsletter - sign up here: https://www.reckon.news/newsletters/black-joy/

Let's get free.

Anyone else baptize themselves in the liberating wisdom of Assata Shakur following her passing on Thursday ? ✋🏿We gained...
09/29/2025

Anyone else baptize themselves in the liberating wisdom of Assata Shakur following her passing on Thursday ? ✋🏿

We gained a powerful ancestor who has been called many things recently. A few headlines referred to her as a fugitive. But to us, she is a foremother of the revolution. She spoke an ethos of commitment and care that should be embedded in all movement work✊🏾!

What’s your favorite message from Assata Shakur?

Let the church say, “Amen!” The Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Choir () has advanced to the semifinals of NBC's "Ameri...
09/12/2025

Let the church say, “Amen!”

The Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Choir () has advanced to the semifinals of NBC's "America’s Got Talent." Here are a few ways you can support the group!

Y’all know what Kendrick Lamar said: “I just win again, then win again like Wimbledon I serve.”🎾Seventy-five years ago, ...
09/08/2025

Y’all know what Kendrick Lamar said: “I just win again, then win again like Wimbledon I serve.”🎾

Seventy-five years ago, Althea Gibson busted through the color barrier of tennis by becoming the first Black player to compete in the U.S. Open, which was formerly known as the U.S. National Championships. The 11-time Grand Slam champ earned multiple historic victories during her career.

Her legendary work continued even after her reign on the court. Gibson was raised in Harlem, but she would later settle in East Orange, New Jersey. In 1976, she became New Jersey’s first woman athletic commissioner. A bronze statue of Gibson can be found in Newark, NJ, where she mentored young players. The U.S. Open may be over but the ripple effects of Althea Gibson’s talent will last forever.

Black churches have always been havens of joy, communal care and movement work, but our oldest houses of worship are in ...
09/03/2025

Black churches have always been havens of joy, communal care and movement work, but our oldest houses of worship are in need of restoration ⛪!

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting applications for its $60 million African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to help historically Black churches in need. Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000 and are used to preserve Black churches, and in turn, Black history.

Read more about this project in the comments below!

Texas Rep. Nicole Collier said she ain’t signing NUTHIN’! 🙅🏾On Monday, Republican lawmakers locked the Fort Worth politi...
08/20/2025

Texas Rep. Nicole Collier said she ain’t signing NUTHIN’! 🙅🏾

On Monday, Republican lawmakers locked the Fort Worth politician inside the chambers of the state House of Representatives after Collier refused to sign a permission slip agreeing to a police es**rt in order to leave the premises.

Collier has been dropping some powerful messages while talking to the media!

We're screaming happy birthday to a true icon: Whitney Houston!🤩The New Jersey diva stirred souls around the globe with ...
08/09/2025

We're screaming happy birthday to a true icon: Whitney Houston!🤩

The New Jersey diva stirred souls around the globe with her vocal prowess. With more than 400 awards to her name, she is the most awarded female artist of all time. Beyond the accolades, she was also a proud mother, a girl's girl and our Black fairy godmother ✨. She is also Black Joy founder 's favorite singer!

Let's celebrate her legacy together by putting your favorite Whitney Houston song in the comments!

08/05/2025

Imagine being told you’re not just having one baby… but FOUR! 👶🏾👶🏾👶🏾👶🏾

Listen to the moment Terika Volmar relayed the news to her brother, Emmanuel, that he was going to have four children. Let’s just say his reaction was hilarious!

Terika Volmar was in the room with Emmanuel’s wife, Aja Volmar, when Aja learned she had naturally conceived quadruplets. The odds of having quadruplets without the use of fertility treatments are about one in 700,000. On July 1, Ean, Evan, Alayha, and Eamon (three boys and one girl) were born happy and healthy. Black Joy founder Starr D Journalist chatted with the New Jersey couple about expanding their family of three to a family of seven. Read this heartwarming story by checking out the comments!

07/22/2025

Not gonna lie, y’all. This one hurts💔!

But we're gonna celebrate Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s life and legacy with a few of our favorite Theo Huxtable shenanigans.

Warner, a New Jersey native, entertained Black households across the nation during his time as big brother Theo on “The Cosby Show.” His fame continued even after the conclusion of the beloved Emmy-winning sitcom. Warner has starred on multiple television series, including “Sons of Anarchy,” “The Resident” and “Malcolm & Eddie.” In 2015, he became a Grammy-award winning artist. In 2023, he received a Grammy nomination for best spoken word poetry album. Last year, he launched a podcast called “Not All Hood,” which examined the multifaceted experiences of Black American life.

Warner passed away at the age of 54. May he rest in power!
✊🏾

Emmy nominations are in! ✨Many of our favorites are on the list, including Uzo Aduba for "The Residence," Ayo Edebiri f...
07/16/2025

Emmy nominations are in! ✨

Many of our favorites are on the list, including Uzo Aduba for "The Residence," Ayo Edebiri for "The Bear," Tramell Tillman for his role in "Severance," Questlove and, of course, the "Abbott Elementary" crew! Who do you hope takes home the win? Comment below if you believe there are other Black performers, directors or shows that deserve their time to shine at the 🤩!

Not your typical beach reads 😎
07/14/2025

Not your typical beach reads 😎

We claiming ice cream as soul food 🫡🍦
07/10/2025

We claiming ice cream as soul food 🫡🍦

07/08/2025

Turn to your neighbor and say, “Rest in power!” 🙌🏾

On Monday, legendary Mississippi Mass Choir vocalist “Mama” Mosie Burks passed away at 92. Her powerful gospel voice has stirred the holy ghost in congregations around the world. In a moving statement on Facebook, remembered Burks as “a living testimony of unwavering faith, joy, and perseverance. Her electrifying performances of 'When I Rose This Morning' to her soul-stirring presence on and off stage, she embodied the spirit of gospel music and the mission of this choir.”

Honor Burks’ legacy by commenting your favorite Mississippi Mass Choir song 🎶

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