The project Be Seen Be Heard began with a flurry of energy. BLM was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Protests were abound. The response from Black women was incredible!
Sylvie is a French teacher and runs a side business called: Smile Giver Batik. Imported, hand created clothing and accessories from Africa https://www.smilegiverbatik.com/
Fast forward to now. Things have quieted. Protests are no longer happening here in Portland. We are experiencing Covid in our daily lives. And yet, this project is alive. Or perhaps revived. Thanks to a woman who believed. Her name is Sylvie Gbhete. She was referred by a client & she was excited to be a part of Be Seen, Be Heard. We spoke on the phone and as our conversation unfolded, I became once again, filled with the feeling that I should continue to run Be Seen Be Heard.
I don’t recall exactly what she said but it was something like: “If you continue to do the work, it will be evident that the project is a good project and has good intentions.” She spoke this after I had talked about the issues of being white and running this project. How it may come across as self serving. I had also shared how an interview about Be Seen Be Heard, that had been done by a popular local magazine, didn’t see the light of day even though, after checking back multiple times, I had been assured that it was to be published.
Because of her words, I said yes. And because I said yes, Black United Fund of Oregon said yes to funding a website dedicated solely to the project. And because BUFOR said yes. I am once again filled with the belief that this project is a good project.
And so for this coming year, I will continue to take applicants and dedicate 1 day per month to do a photoshoot as well as the work to do interviews, Q&A’s. Because it is a good project. Black women need to Be Seen & Be Heard!
So stay tuned. I will be announcing the launch of Be Seen Be Heard’s website within the next few weeks that will include a new story and photographs from her shoot. Stay tuned for The story of Sylvie Gbhete.
If interested in reading the current stories, please click HERE
Cheers!
~Shawnalee
“Life gets crazy and you stop doing things for yourself. This was the beginning of me reclaiming something that was mine that I forgot that I had and now I remember.”