Black Fae Day

On May 8, 2021, #BlackFaeDay was the second highest trending topic on Twitter. What is Black Fae Day? It was a day where Black folks from all walks of life and all over the world dressed up in their most joyful and whimsical costumes and shared it with the world. Some without wings and glitter where inspired to take nature hikes, draw Black fairies, write poems, plays or anything to get them in the spirit of feeling like magical beings of power, beauty and grace. In The first episode of my second season, I talk to Jasmine La Fleur, the founder of Black Fae Day, and we discuss what inspired her to create this day, what was the reaction and what is next for her organization.

You can find more information about Black Fae Day at https://www.blackfaeday.com/

You can also find the books that I mentioned and more at my virtual bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/s2e1-black-fae-day/

Episode Transcript:

Latisha: Hi everybody. And welcome back to Interspectional. This is our first episode of the second season. And I’m so excited!! Why? Because I don’t know if you were aware, but last year there was some amazing black and POC focused fantasy events that happened. And one of them that I was super bummed to only know about when it happened was Black Fae Day.

Cause I know when I saw it, I was like, Oh my God, this is my exact aesthetic. This is everything I ever wanted that I didn’t know that I wanted. And it was so exciting. And with me, I have one of the people who helped make this fantastic day come together. I’m going to let her introduce herself and tell us a little bit about what inspired you to make this fun auspicious day happen. 

Jasmine: Hi everybody. My name is Jasmine Tucker also known as Jupiter Jazz on Twitter for a while, and also, Jasmine La Fleur so that’s me. I’m the creator of Black Fae Day, and I was inspired by the 28 days of Black Cosplay in February. That happens every year. @PrincessMentalityCosplay made that month and it was always an inspiration to me since it started and I was really sad that it was ending you know, during our quarantine/locked down phase and I needed something to give me that same feeling of joy and see all the excellence in our community.

And so I just put a wish out there in the Twittersphere for Black Fae Day on May 8th, 2021. And it jumped off like people showed out with their wings, and their horns and all the beautiful stories, poems. Someone said they’re writing an opera. I mean, incredible creativity came out of our community and I’m just grateful that it happened.

Latisha: That’s so fantastic. There was an opera. I can’t believe it. That’s incredible. on that vein, like, did anything surprise you about people’s reactions to, you know, when you first put this out there to when the event happened and then afterwards 

Jasmine: Just the tremendous support. And so fast. The original tweet happened on March 10th. And May 8th came up and we were the number two trending topic on Twitter that day. So it was a lot thousands and thousands of just tweets and then on TikTok. Oh my gosh, that platform was just hot. It was fairies and just Black beauty and excellence all over. I was so surprised because I’m like, it was just me and my friends. It’s a good day. Cause I’m totally okay with that. And we’ll go frolic on on our own and you have a dope day, but to see our whole fantasy community and intergenerational experiences that I saw. It was just unforgettable. I love seeing the grandmas and grandpas and aunties and aunts are participating with their families. It’s just a family event and I loved it. 

Latisha: Oh my goodness. Something about that really kind of brought like some tears to my eyes. You know, fae and magic and the idea of like intergenerational knowledge being passed down. . And even in some of those fantasy stories you do have your younger people of magic going to their elders, you know, and like, “Hey, tell me the story or what is this legend?” or all of that.

So the fact that you did have grandparents participating in their own way is that it’s so cool. 

Jasmine: Oh yeah. It’s beautiful. I mean, I even talk to my grandmother about stories that she knew in her childhood. And I grew up in rural New Mexico. So I was used to hearing the folklore of other communities like Indigenous people’s communities.

And some Mexican American families always told us stories about La Llorona and Chupacabras and things like that. So to hear the folklore of black people in our all. You know, imaginations and experiences and cultural reference was just really humbling to hear some of these things. And being from New Mexico, it’s a little isolating, you know, where I only hear what comes through my family and we’ve been in New Mexico for about four generations.

And so that compared to my brothers and sisters in places like Atlanta or Tallahassee, those shared experiences are a little different. So I was exposed to even black culture a lot differently than I had ever experienced before. So I have collected all those stories in my heart and it’s like my secret treasure that I just love so much.

Latisha: That’s fantastic. I was talking to Ms. Black Bettie of @BlackBetteCosplay also known as Jamila, when she was talking about BIPOC vampire day. One, she said she was inspired by my Black Fae Day. So, you know, you started something, I hope you realize how much, so I’m going to get back into or something. But we were talking about how having these pictures and stories and videos and TikToks online and places that people can access, it can connect people who are more isolated or who are in areas where they don’t see other people who are interested and excited about the same thing or from the same culture and being like, I’m not alone.

There’s more of me out there. 

Jasmine: Yeah. And there’s so many of us connected that way. My fairy god-auntie that I found through this experience, she was saying like she had grown up in California and in the punk rock kind of happenings that were happening in the eighties. 

And she’s like, “I was in Tolkien and I was into fairies back than too and if I would have this community, then I think my life would have been a lot different.” And that was such a sobering thing for me to hear. I’m like, you’re this amazing woman who I found through this and I admire and you’re telling me like, ” I’m glad you made this community. Or you shou ted out to everyone to get together because I was out there by myself all these years.” and I just, I can’t even, I’m still trying to comprehend that, like that this even happened and we all connected and met each other.

And I’m continuing to connect to that. Like just even being able to inspire something as beautiful as BIPOC Vamp Day this year. It was like unbelievable. And that even bridged to even other communities, you know, I saw different Indigenous cosplayers and Black Fae Day also inspired in Enchanted Asian Day from some cosplayers in the UK.

So I’m like, Wow. It’s just this unity that’s growing and reaching so many different walks of life. And everybody’s saying the same thing. “Oh, I’m not alone. ” Yeah, we aren’t, we really aren’t. And it just takes us trying to reach out to each other to make stronger communities and bonds. 

Latisha: And like make space for like all of our stories.

Jasmine: Yeah. We have some dope stories 

Latisha: Yeah. Dope stories, different stories and ways of being that we were just like, I didn’t even know this was a thing and it’s such a thing. 

Jasmine: It really is. And then it opens the door for other questions of, well, “Why are we only exposed to European folklore or why are we only exposed to this archetype of what fantasy looks like?

And having those conversations with members of the majority in a safe and inviting space has really brought on some really constructive actions I’ve seen. For example, you know, we were invited to Ohio Renaissance festival. And I had reached out and was like, “Hey, I have a bunch of Black Fairies and Fantasy Enthusiasts that want to feel welcome and feel comfortable in this kind of environment. What can you guys do about that?” So they invited us over and said, “Well, we’re gonna invite you over, but we also about to interview you and spread the word about what’s going on.” And it was just such a relief to hear that this big organization have responded to our message, that we were trying to create more positive representation of theirs.

And we were trying to allow safe spaces for us to visit as nobody’s going out in the middle of nowhere by herself. You know, like with our fairy wings on, and just risking our safety just for the fun of it basically. And I was telling of how important it is that we know that you’re showing any kind of signs that you’re welcome.

And so if you have cast members that are in your advertisement, so black people or members of our community, we’re going to come out, we’re going to show up for them. So I just love the opportunity to have conversations like that and continue to have more like Heartland Fairies in Indiana has invited us over to a Fairy Festival that they’re starting as well. So having conversations with them about the same thing. Okay. Is it safe for us to go out there? What’s the environment? Like what are you doing to change? Are our folklore and history is going to be represented there.

Or are you going to tell us we weren’t there? Now, that doesn’t it exist? Aziza, I don’ t know them. Who are they? Like, I don’t want to hear that. So you know, I’m doing some kind of behind the scenes, advising, you know, in different communities to they help us be represented. 

Latisha: I love that. I love that road. I love that development, that developing connection, developing more safe spaces for us. For many ones to like to feel like they can come to some place that they can be engaged in fantasy worlds and fancy content and not be othered and ostracized. And be in this place where yeah, where it is about safety. And what I think is sometimes hard for people to understand is that, we are talking about safety in honestly many times physical safety, “am I physically okay in this place?” We’re talking emotional safety, spiritual safety, as in, even if I’m physically okay. Will someone be dismissive of my very presence, you know, dismissive of the history and the rich culture that I bring to the table. And these aren’t all these aren’t always concerns that are taken into account.

Some people aren’t even aware that these are our concerns and I love that you’re consulting. Cause I feel like people are like, ” Where are the black people in Memphis?” Have you made it clear that I will be okay here because in the USA and other places, my general safety is not a guarantee; let alone in my spiritual and emotional safety, you know? As someone who’s gone to plenty of Renn Fests myself. My former local Renn Fest was the Maryland Renaissance Festival. And, you know, definitely being one of very few black people there and still loving it, but also wanting to not be one of few black people that I can count on my hand and wanting to see, like, where are my fairies? Where are my knights? Where are my princesses?

Jasmine: I really connect with that story and you being in those spaces about, and I just don’t want anyone ever have to feel like that again. And you know, you’re constantly looking and making the head nods to the one other black person there. It’s like, “I see you. Are you all right? Okay.” Just, you know, checking. But you know.

Latisha: An entire conversation is had in the head nod and eye contact like, ” I see you. Are you okay? Are you cool? This conversation happens in two seconds. 

Jasmine: Exactly. Carry on. You gave me the head nod. We got you

Latisha: You know, and that universal rule where it’s like, if one black person is running… 

Jasmine: We’re all running. 

Latisha: We’re all running. We don’t ask the questions. The moment you ask questions, you might get got so to prevent the getting of got-ness… 

Jasmine: Just get out of the way. We’ll ask questions after we catch our breath 

Latisha: Also were there any particular characters or stories in media or in books or in comics that kind of influenced the celebrations and I know you mentioned “28 Days of Black Cosplay”, but was anything else like, “Oh yeah. I want to see her or I want to see him or this story is something I want to bring to the forefront.” 

Jasmine: When I was thinking about this; this sounds like a farfetched thing to include, but I’ve always been a really big fan of Samuel L. Jackson and how ambitious some of his roles are. He does have a few that are just like off the wall. And you’re just wondering, “What were you thinking when you took this role or looked at this script? Like “Snakes on a Plane”, you know weird stuff like that.

 But, on the other hand, when it comes to black people being seen in fantasy or in other genres that we might have lacking, he’s a really big advocate for us. For example, in Star Wars, that was a huge deal, like for him to be there and be this really big Jedi with a purple lightsaber that he brokered himself, you know, like, “Hey, I want a purple lightsaber and I want to be the only one in the universe that has it.”

Latisha: He was like, “I’m an a purple lightsaber. So they see me. Cause if it’s all blue, no one knows that Sam Jackson’s here. No one knows that this black man is here. Give me a purple lightsaber, you KNOW I’m here!” 

Jasmine: Exactly. And I want to have that same boldness and be present.

 I’m always by myself anyway. It feels like, but I want to be in the room where it happens. I think Samuel L. Jackson has always been like the motivator for me where I’m like, “Okay, I can dream big and do big things because I’ve seen it happen.” Like he’s that happening that I’m loosely referencing and he’s cool with it. And he does it in the coolest fashion ever. Like everybody wants him in their movie, saying something, even, it was just the curse once they want him in the movie, but he’s also a product of black excellence and undeniable blackness.

Like that’s us, that’s our culture. That’s our uncle. That’s our dad. Like he is that person for us. 

Latisha: I think his first role was in “Coming To America”.

Jasmine: Yeah. 

Latisha: And we remember that role. We remember him in so many different roles before he quote unquote got big, but he made every, every little bit count and then has continued to make it count.

Jasmine: Yes. As silly as some of his roles might be, he’s serious business when it comes to our representation 

Latisha: and serious business in like, yeah, there are things that are silly, but also we have the right to be silly. 

Jasmine: We have the right to be silly and you got to pay me and compensate me for that.

You know what I mean? 

Latisha: We have the right to be diverse in our expressions. 

Jasmine: And it has value. It has great value. 

Latisha: I really love that. In general did you receive any negative feedback with Black Fae Day and if so, how did you deal with it? I mean, I hope you didn’t it, but the internet being the internet will internet. 

Jasmine: Yeah. I definitely received some negativity, like you said, it’s the internet, you have to take it with a grain of salt and keep going.

But the parts that were most hurtful was when it was coming from my own community where, you know, “Black people don’t do that.” Or, you know, “What’s Black Fae Day or fairies or who would want to do something like that?” Comments like that, or just some little division and conflict on who was going to be centered.

So, you know, there’s some people that felt like if your complexion was too light and you still identified as black, you shouldn’t be included in this because you already have enough representation. And to that, I felt very just not okay with that. I don’t believe in colorism or any form, shape or resemblance of it.

And you know, my great-grandmother is very pale and passing. Her mother was passing. So I’m like, see her blackness is just as valid as mine, even though I’m little chocolate drop, you know, like I’m brown, I have more melanin. It shows. “No, all black people are going to be represented by this.” And so, you know, that was one detector that almost broke my spirit. I almost wanted to say, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” And close the groups, you know, take down the Instagram. I don’t like this kind of feedback and conversation and conflict, but it all ended up okay. Because they were still able to get past their own little traumas and do things the way that they needed to do for themselves. And I was able to continue in my own way. So it ended up being alright.

Latisha: I’m so that you pushed through that to make this happen to be the juggernaut that it is and continues to be, but detractors will happen. And knowing that we can, even in our chill, “I don’t really like conflict, but I like making cool things” selves, can handle things and things get rough. 

Jasmine: Yeah. 

Latisha: That’s fantastic. I know me personally my grandmother, my aunt, my uncle, you know, all fairly pale people. I am like you, my little milk chocolate chocolate drop, you know, but when I look at my family and my extended family members were very light-skinned.

We are, you know, we’re solid, you know what I mean? 

Jasmine: Yeah. 

Latisha: Those are the people who have my back. Sometimes I know for me, it’s kind of challenging when it comes to colorism, which is totally a thing. Absolutely. When it comes to media and presentation, who gets the limelight. And I definitely know plenty of people, light-skinned people who acknowledge the privilege that is given to them by other people, by society at large, that being said, you know, within our own groups, for me, it’s very much like fam is fam.

Jasmine: Exactly. And I was very intentional about what kind of images I was putting out there on our page. Just so that we understand the whole spectrum of what we might look like in fantasy. So, I mean, there’s plus size people. There’s non binary people, there’s light skin, there’s dark, there’s men, there’s women and everything in between.

So I wanted, I mean, even ages, different ages, it’s older people, there’s younger people to babies to great-grandmas. Our blackness is unique to each and every one of us. And it really has to be because although there is some favoritism in history, like you said, those people have some very unique stories about what their blackness means and how they have to navigate the world as passing or non passing.

You know, it’s all heavy. It’s all real heavy. And so I don’t want us to have that kind of divisive conversations ever amongst each other, because we have enough to battle on the outside. It was just I didn’t even talk about those detractors because they’re irrelevant and like, whatever I’m doing a black thing over here and your comments don’t matter because this is our thing.

 Unless you’re here to support, which we do have a lot of allies. Even that’s a little controversial and I say, you know, I have spaces where they’re allowed to speak and support. Some people thought “Nah. Leave them out of this. This is ours.” And I’m like, “Yeah, it is ours.” But we’re trying to progress in a way that is effective.

And sometimes in some situations, that includes allies in the conversations, so that all the way across the board, people know where we have a mission and a purpose, and we are strategizing and doing the things we need to do. And like I told some other places outside of the black community, like if you’re not with us, you don’t miss it because we’re making moves.

We really are. So you can join us and celebrate blackness in this way, or you just gonna have to move aside because we don’t have time to sit here and beg and plead and ask for permission anymore. We’re not doing that. 

Latisha: I love that. We’re done asking permission and there are ways to get involved, if you’re not black, if you don’t identify as that. It is still a connected movement, but like my opinion, just kind of like with the football team. You have different positions, maybe this isn’t your position. You may be in a different position. We’re all on the same team, but here is our position and then we’ll try to play it.

Jasmine: And each of those have different roles and stats and accolades that come with it. Just be okay with that. Know your role and your assignment. 

Latisha: Understand the assignment.

Jasmine: Understand the assignment, please. But I have family members that married in, or have children within the family community and their experiences has been kind of weaved into our culture through association. Their voices still held value as well. Because sometimes these people are in the trenches alone, you know, facing their own communities to try to help us move forward and get the peace that we deserve. So I am not blind to those conversations with people. Appreciative of those people that say, “Hey, Black Fae Day is here and you’re going to listen. And I’m like, “Oh, thank you, friend” Give me that mic.

Latisha: So I want to kind of delve deeper. What do you hope people will get out of celebrating these kind of days? Whether it is Black Fae Day, Black Mer Day or BIPOC vampire day? What do you hope people get out of it? 

Jasmine: Inspiration. I want them to feel inspired to express themselves, but also the self esteem, knowing that you are a magical being. Now! Not with the wings, and the fairy things and the costuming, like you can create things. You can explore things without anyone’s permission and you’re enough. So I hope this inspires that kind of attitude.

Also finding a community, even if it’s not within Black Fae Day and our little hub. Find people that support you and in communities at home. Because there are people there and around, you might find them in weird places and situations, but you know don’t give up and don’t always go along, reach out to people, even if it’s just a tweet.

I mean, I had zero social media presence before all of this, believe it or not. And just me really having pure intentions for myself and my community and tweeting about it, touched other people. So each one of us has that kind of influence on one another. So yes, I hope it inspires more, more conversations, more celebrations and just love with ourselves.

Latisha: So, what advice would you give to someone who is interested in participating, but is unsure or is feeling a little intimidated and feel like they don’t know where to start? What advice would you give to that person? 

Jasmine: Just put whatever it is that you have, as is, out there and all you have to do is use the hashtag, we’ll find you. Somebody will see you.

It’s #BlackFaeDay, or just put Black Fae and that’s fine too. But you know, there are people that draw, sketch, and make things. They do crafts. They sew. They hike. People were saying, “I participated in Black Fae Day and I went on nature hike” and people loved it.

 There’s no one way to express yourself in this community at all, because you’re the creators. You get to create what it is you feel and want to express. So there are no things that people should say, “Oh, you can’t do that”. We support you. We are going to back you. It’s okay. 

Latisha: I love a Black Fae Day hike. I didn’t even know that was a thing. And that just makes me smile as a little nature, woodland bog fairy myself. That’s fantastic. 

Jasmine: Yeah, definitely look at the hashtag on whatever socials you’re on. You won’t believe the crazy stuff, you’ll find. There’s a fairy for each of us out there.

Latisha: Yeah. I love that. Speaking of the crazy things you’ll find. What is some of the media that you saw built around this? Like TikToks or webisodes or comics or drawings?

Jasmine: We have a small followup celebration in September after Black Fae Day called the Sankofa Solstice. And what it was, is this a celebration of original characters and creations that you had been working on throughout the day or things you’ve been wanting to dust off and revisit. And there was one group out in the UK that created this whole visual and literary project. Not only were they cosplay and kind of acting out the roles of these characters, but every month or so, or couple of weeks, they update a new chapter to see the story that they’re writing together.

And it’s like phenomenal. You can see it on my Instagram feed because we did share them in September. And I mean, it’s beautiful. The characters are really well fleshed out. Every week I’m like refreshing and trying to find new chapters, but it’s so cool how immersive, you know, some of these projects can be from the visuals to the literary aspects of it.

I love that people are making me enjoy reading again. We think there’s just something really fun because like Tolkien was cool for a little while but like I’m sick of reading about alabaster heroes. 

Latisha: Tolkien is fine. Bram Stoker is fine. But there’s so much more. 

Jasmine: There’s so much more. Diversity is fun and it’s beautiful. I just don’t understand why we have to push so hard for things. More things like these projects that I’m seeing. It just doesn’t make sense because it’s brilliant. 

Latisha: And I think that’s also the interesting thing that sometimes when those stories are cut off from whatever culture it comes from. You lose so much. You lose these stories. You lose these narratives. You lose the opportunity to see something as “simple” as water, air, earth, fire that we live with in a brand new way. You know, time and space thinking about it completely differently. When you engage in different folklore. 

Jasmine: And that project I was talking about is called “Gilded, the story”, 

Latisha: And then finally let’s get to the point that everyone’s excited about, which is what day is Black Fae Day? 

But before we get there where do you see this going? Where do you see the future of Black Fae Day. And I believe there’s a black mermaid day coming up. So, you know, what is the future of all of this amazing gathering and coming together and content that is being produced in the name of Black Fae Day?

Jasmine: Yeah. I feel like since this all happened, I become a little ambitious. Which there was a few detractors when I decided to make Black Fae Day a LLC and a business. Some people said, “Well, why would you monetize this?” And to them I say, “Well, change requires capital and you have to have some stake in the game. So it makes some things change and move.” So in the future, you know, I really want to create more spaces where we can have things like Black Fae Day.

Currently I’m trying to create more than one event for Black Fae Day this year. We have a Fantasy ball and hang outs. Just so that we can see that these are things that we participate in, things that we might want in the future and as things grow and progress, maybe even have Black Fae Convention or different things like that.

Currently, we’re still working on our online social media platforms as well. Also developing the website. The hope is that it’s the hub for all things black and fantasy. So if you want to meet someone who sews. There can be space for sewing communities. If you want to meet people that craft; there’s crafters there. And film and so on and so forth. So you can find people or you post in those areas and be part of the community. 

But also we’re getting ready to be launch our Twitch channel. Also getting the gamers involved because gaming is another media where we’re seeing, there’s lots of representation that’s changing and we’re seeing a lot more protagonists and a stories centered around our culture.

 And we’ve always been gamers.

Latisha: Always been gamers. 

Jasmine: Always been gamers. I’m wondering why it’s taken so long, but I do want us to stream in have platforms in those gaming communities as well, because we want our narratives included. So we’ve doing a lot of things. I’m a little overwhelmed, but I’m trying to make sure that there is presence, Black fantasy presence on every major platform that I could think of. We’re moving forward. We’re going to keep going. 

Latisha: Okay. I just want to recap. So there’s the day itself with its internet presence. There’s a Twitch channel. There’s a ball, possibly a convention. You know, this train is running people you can catch. 

Jasmine: I can’t promise the convention anytime soon.

Latisha: We are all about future prospecting. What is time? What is space? We believe in the future. 

Jasmine: I was thinking about it earlier, you know, when all this is going on and someone asks, “Is it going to be a convention?” And I’m like, “Are there other conventions that we can support?” And there aren’t a whole lot and then not anything that’s specifically centered on fantasy. You know, we have comics and we have cosplay, anime, things like that, but we don’t like high fantasy avenues just with black people right now. Hoping that that changes as I continue to work on Black Fae Day, that more people are inspired to do things like start their own avenues and ways that they express their fantasy as well.

So I love when those things pop up. I’m always excited about it. I always try to put the word out, like, “Hey, this is happening too.” Because when those people win and when all these channels win, you know, we all win because we have more ways that we can celebrate each other and be a commuity. I think this generation needs more of that because I feel like my elders, their communities are really locked in together.

 When they moved, everybody moved. They really have that synergy. And I feel like this generation now, kind of needs that push. We need more opportunities to lock hands with each other and stand firm. And I hope Black Fae Day can do that in the fantasy arena. 

Latisha: I hope so too. I think you will be an expansive continual building of community, of saying, “This is who we are.” And also there’s something to be said because I loved about Black Fae Day and all the pictures that I saw was this connection. But as well as the individuality, I love that there was a space where, you know, black men in the Fae space.

Like, yes, we love you, in your glitter and your wings. All of that, we welcome you here. Whether it’s black folks who are non-binary, women, old folks, young folks; like us expressing ourselves individually, but collectively celebrating our individuality.

Jasmine: That’s the magic. That’s really the best part. That’s the thing that fills me to keep trying. To see the individual expressions of everyone and seeing how it translates for them. Because my expression of Black Fae Day just as me, Jasmine, is probably not that interesting t o many other people, so it’s really cool that I could say, “Hey, let’s do this together.” And then this one person, you know, goes all out and they paint themselves in gold. And I don’t know, it’s just something I’ve never seen before. And we all go, “Yeah! Okay, sis!” or “Yeah, let’s go!” It’s so exciting. 

And every instance that that happens, I feel like it just fortifies that self-esteem, every single time you see it. So I love it. So if you see me out there posting and sharing links… Like! Share it! Just try to help keep things moving for us because people are talking and people are curious about how far we can do this. And how long. I got told recently, “Oh, it was a trend. It’ll be over by next year” . And I’m like, “Oh, Okay. We’ll see.”

Latisha: Lies! Look, if Tinkerbell can still be going on for 50, some odd years and she ain’t stopping anytime soon. 

Jasmine: All I know, is that when Meg, The Stallion cosigned in Faerie on Halloween, that’s end all, be all. I’m like, “Okay, Megan’s knees and fairy dust”

Latisha: I want to hear her spit “Hot Fae Shit” on her next album.

Jasmine: “Hot Fae Shit”. Oh my God. I geeked. That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen that. I was like, well, some people missed Fae day last year and it was still popping. 

Latisha: I was like, “I gotta know. They’re doing it again? Yes!” Speaking of which, the moment y’all been waiting for, what day is Black Fae Day? 

Jasmine: All right, Black Fae Day is May 14. And remember it’s always going to be the second Saturday of May. Always. 

Latisha: Always the second Saturday of May. May 14. And Black Mer Day.

Jasmine: Black Mer Day is created by Tranquil Ashes. She’s a cosplayer. Amazing. And that will be May 28. And Black Fae Day has a theme this year. It’s land versus sea. So we’re trying to segue and kind of passing the baton over to the merfolk this year.

I didn’t realize I kind of encroached on “Mer May”. I didn’t know that was a thing. So Mer May is also the month of May, but we have Black Fae May. That also is a thing apparently now. But Black Fae Day is going to be on the 14th: Land vs. Sea. And we’re going to pass at the time to the Black Mermaid Day on May 28th. It’s going to be a fun month. For sure. 

Latisha: Awesome. I’m so excited. And I just love the anticipation ,the excitement and the affirmation of Black people in the fantasy space in multiple ways. This has been an interest of people color for years. We’ve always been here and for now we have, Black Fae Day, Black Mer May. We have so many things that let us know, not only have we been here, but they’re more of us than a singular person. We are here collectively. And that our cultures and our safety and our presence is not only expected, but encouraged and loved. 

Jasmine: It really is. But also if you have like things that you want to run by us to say “Wow, I saw this great thing, you know, people need to know about it. We have an email that you can drop things in now. It’s called faemail@blackfaeday.com. So F A E M A I L at Black Fae Day.com. So if you’re saying, “Oh, I can made this song, and it sounds very fairy-like”. You know, drop it and we can credit you and share it with everyone. Anything that you think our community might enjoy, or even if you have questions about more community things like we talked about, how can I get more involved?

You can drop us the email too. We’ll respond. I promise. Yeah, just, I really want people who see you and they want us to shine. So that’s where my heart is. Don’t be shy. I’m very shy, but I’m very accepting. So don’t be scared. 

Latisha: I love that you mentioned that you personally are kind of shy and in our talk, you’ve been passionate, but also soft-spoken which, as a Black woman, we can be shy and soft-spoken and calm and chill. And still very much in our blackness. Still very much who we are that, you know, someone is loud and audacious as Samuel L. Jackson can be an inspiration to even someone who’s like “The spotlight is not necessarily my thing. I will build things to make sure we can all be valued and loved.” That’s an inspiration in and of itself, Jasmine, and I hope you know that. 

Jasmine: Thank you. Ah, you’re like making the blush, but I really appreciate that so much. Cause gonna be a real, it’s a scary thing to do this. And a lot of people, are asking me, like, “Why aren’t you the face? Like, why aren’t you more out there?”

And you know, I have my own insecurities and fears and things like that as well. But again, you all are inspire me to do things. So I guess for people that are as shy and introverted as me, my advice to you is to find those voices around you that do champion your voice, because it will fuel you to be more confident and… you know, when I am invited to spaces like this, people like you, I’m like, “Okay, wait, this is my friend. I can talk to them about what I do.” And so that helps me and, you know it’s just an honor to be on a platform like yours. And I really do appreciate it so much. So that gives me some motivation kind of fights the fear.

Latisha: Well, I appreciate you so much, Jasmine. Thank you so much for joining me on my podcast. I’m super excited to share this with the world and encourage others. And so finally, what are other ways that people can connect either you or Black Fae Day as a whole?

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, how can they get more involved? 

Jasmine: Yeah. On our Instagram and that’s usually are our biggest hub. And Facebook. Facebook has two groups as well. We have our private group, called Black Fae communities. It’s a safe space for people who identify as Black. So we’re in there. We’re enjoying ourselves outside of the gaze of the outside world.

 So that’s the space there. And then we also have the public group. That’s Black Fae, every day. So it’s for us and our allies to have this conversation together and enjoy things together . Discord! Recently launched a discord. And on our Instagram, we have a link to all these areas as well.

So if you look at our profile, there should be a link to our Discord, our YouTube. Usually you can find all of these platforms. Our director and ambassador, Calamity Darling, is a Twitch streamer and gamer that’s helping us grow our Twitch platform. We’re doing a little previews here and there, s o yeah, it’s going to be fun. 

Latisha: Awesome. Well, so happy that you’re joining us. So excited to see the Twitch channel. What’s happening in 2022. Everything that you and the team I’m bringing to the table, we’re just so excited for everything that you’re doing. I appreciate you. Everyone, I hope you had a chance to enjoy this conversation, learn some things and feel free to come together as yourself in this work and in the fantasy space.

So that’s it for this episode. Thank you all so much for listening. And you have a great day.