Team Vagaro Speaks on Black Representation and Professional Realities in the Arts

As February marks Black History Month with this year’s theme of "African Americans and the Arts," Vagaro takes a moment to reflect on the significant impact of Black creatives within our team and communities. In this exploration, two members of Team Vagaro share their experiences.

Meet Romey!

Romey, one of our graphic designers at Vagaro, not only brings creativity to her role within the office but also engages in a profound exploration of self-expression beyond the workplace. In addition to her professional endeavors, she actively explores a diverse array of creative outlets, using them as avenues for understanding and expressing her identity. Her choice of clothing, personal art, musical preferences, and literature all play integral roles in this multifaceted exploration. Through these mediums, Romey not only expresses herself but also draws inspiration from the creative works of others. These external influences serve as mirrors to her own experiences, aiding in the development and deeper understanding of her unique perspective and creative identity.

Meet Piankhi!

On the opposite side of the building, Piankhi oversees one of our Technical Support teams. Reflecting on his journey, he shares that his creativity has been a constant companion throughout his life. Recalling the endless hours spent drawing during the summers of his childhood, Piankhi also discovered a means of expression through music. As a young musician, he played the string bass in the orchestra and symphonette. He also explored his connections with Latin and Caribbean music, Rock & Roll, and Pop due to his familial interests and heritage. Piankhi emphasizes the profound impact of the rise of R&B and Hip Hop on his personal and professional growth, shaping his self-perception, fashion choices, and creative expression:

This newer subset of Black music had a huge impact on how I saw myself, the world around me, what I wore, and how I expressed myself creatively. It would later be a big part of both my personal and professional creative identity during my years of freelance graphic and web design, photography, sound engineering, music production, multimedia production, and more.

Identifying the Contributions

Black Americans have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of art and media in our country. Romey shares that she consistently recognizes these influences across various mediums. For her, the arts stand out as "one of the single most ubiquitous avenues where Black American contributions can be recognized."

This recognition sets the stage for Piankhi's reflections on the visibility of Black artists within his upbringing and the ongoing pursuit of meaningful representation within his family's sphere. Despite potential gaps in representation within mainstream media, Piankhi's family remained committed to ensuring a diverse and authentic portrayal of Black contributions in their household. This commitment reflects the broader challenge that Piankhi acknowledges:

I believe, however, that while Black musical influence (the music, artists, dance, dress, language, lifestyle, etc.) has made a significant impact on American culture, we are still in the early stages of equity and representation, not just in music, but in many areas of art and media.

What is Genuine Representation?

While it's indisputable that Black creatives have made significant contributions to our country's media, arts, and cultural trends, the ongoing discourse surrounding authentic representation and due credit for these innovations remains an unresolved conversation that spans decades. Romey explains:

It’s been a pleasure to see a massive increase in representation over the last several years, specifically in the media. And while I’m happy to see it, many leaps that have been made tend to favor very specific depictions of us and our experiences. Media representation, specifically with Black Americans, that reflects experiences with authenticity can sometimes stir up as many uncomfortable feelings as it does jovial ones. But if we are invested in genuine representation, we must embrace all facets of this reality.

Romey’s perspective highlights the complexities that come with increased representation, shedding light on the need for a more comprehensive and authentic portrayal of Black experiences. As Black audiences are able to identify more with the people shown on screen, there is the emphasis to also embrace the diversity of narratives that come with their stories, rather than the ones that highlight desired perspectives in history.

Empowering and Supporting Black Creatives

Black History Month prompts reflection on fostering inclusivity and equity within organizations, particularly in fields like design with glaring underrepresentation, and there's a pressing need to address the challenges faced by Black professionals. The awareness brought by this month's theme shines a spotlight on a stark reality: "Lless than 5% of designers are Black, and fewer than 10% of Black students enroll in undergraduate design programs," as reported by FastCompany.

Amid this discussion, Romey offers valuable insights:

Black professionals can sometimes feel invisible in their organizations, because in some cases, they effectively are. Make sure contributions don’t go unremarked upon. Don’t let achievements go unrecognized. When decisions are being made, ask yourself if the discussion would benefit from different voices. Be open to hearing how you’ve fallen short and make changes. It won’t always be comfortable, but it will go a long way.

Romey expands on this by emphasizing the importance of supportive environments in creative fields. Her most impactful experiences occurred within organizations that not only trusted her but also valued her expertise. The assurance of being genuinely heard during collaborations and receiving meaningful feedback played a pivotal role in giving her the confidence needed to embrace creative risks. According to Romey, a purposeful approach to identifying necessary support, and fostering an open & curious mindset are key.

Want to read about how your business can support Black History Month? Check out this article!