above: Alexis Pauline Gumbs (left) and Mama Nia (right) shining so bright in the Durham sunlight!

i am b/c u are 

by: LIZ

i am b/c u are

shout out to ubuntu ar

the black stars

u don’t have have to go far

to realize the power of the brown eyes

look forward to blue skies

i’m the hottest like the goddess

transformed

to channel oshun

now i control the rain

released the pain

never 2 be the same

raise my voice when needed

raise my fist when that’s goes unheeded

violent culture won’t be repeated

haters unseated

survivors rule

come to the new school

study war no more

see whats in store

safety, dignity

from wealth to poverty

all city all country

i see a world

without pain for little girls

all truth revealed

secrets unsealed

the world must heal.

because you are i am

we take a stand

take it back to the land

grass roots

dusty boots, we in cahoots

knocking on your door

give it to you raw

silent no more

info

nappy fro

on the go

unified

with the stigmatized

strength in numbers

strong and humble

corruption crumbles

last will be the first

honor her birth

quench your thirst

because i am you are

because you are i am