Featured photo: The oldest sister of Breonna Taylor, DeAndrea “DeeDee” Taylor with Flint Community Leader Percy Glover
Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Black Lives Matter Flint, in collaboration with BLM Grassroots, hosted the Black Women Are Divine Brunch at the Hasselbring Senior Center – and the event was unforgettable!
Jowanne Carrington opened it up with her soul-stirring rendition of the Black National Anthem: “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Then, Chairman of Black Lives Matter Flint Hubert Roberts asked attendees to pause for a moment of prayer for Cultural Icon Dr. E. Hill De Loney. De Loney was an honoree at the event, but she was not able to be at the event physically because of a recent stroke.
Judge Tabitha Marsh talked about her recollection of the term “double negative” being used when doing research during her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. Marsh noted the phrase was often used to discuss Black women because of the disadvantage with regard to positions of power and prestige in American society.
Yet she added Black women are divine because of being made in the image of God. Therefore, she said Black women are strong, fierce, persistent, impactful, focused, beautiful, poised, blessed and invincible!
“My power is in my mindset, not in my chest, my waistline or my butt,” Marsh stated in her poetic speech.
She added in her spoken piece Black women are courageous, overcomers, more than conquerors, the head and not the tail and lenders rather than borrowers.
“We are Black women, of course we are fine,” said Marsh. “We are Black women, and you guessed it: We are divine!”
The oldest sister of Breonna Taylor, DeAndrea “DeeDee” Taylor, also spoke at the event.
Breonna Taylor is known for being a Black female medical worker who was shot and killed in her Louisville home on March 13, 2020, by police officers in a tragedy that helped spark nationwide social justice protests.
DeAndrea “DeeDee” Taylor shared the following details about her sister, Breonna.
- Breonna Taylor was born and raised in Grand Rapids.
- The family shares seven siblings among their dad and mom.
- Breonna Taylor was an EMT (emergency medical technician) in Kentucky, where she moved with her mother.
- She loved helping people and saving lives.
- Her last words were “God, please help me.”
- She will never get to see her father outside of him being incarcerated.
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DeAndrea “DeeDee” Taylor
DeAndrea “DeeDee” Taylor is the founder of Taylor Made Re-Entry. Like Breonna, she grew up the daughter of an incarcerated parent, with no memories of her father outside of prison. Still, DeAndrea Taylor is determined to change the narrative of her young life and not let bitterness, fear, or trauma dictate her story. So, Taylor Made Re-Entry advocates for and provides resources to men and women returning home from incarceration.
Honoring her sister and family, DeAndrea Taylor talked about their program for law enforcement: Helping Eradicate Adverse Law-Enforcing (H.E.A.L.). According to Taylor Made Re-Entry’s website, H.E.A.L. addresses the impact created by police officers who have unjustifiably destroyed Black and Brown communities with their lack of judgment in how policing happens in communities of color.
“I’m so thankful that you all are celebrating divine women, like my sister,” said DeAndrea Taylor with emotion.
The founder, director and CEO of Silent Cry Inc., Shawanna Vaughn, a New York-based nonprofit organization, recited poetry next.
Silent Cry takes a holistic approach to aftercare from mass incarceration, gun violence and trauma.
“…Her determination, plain grit, will never be rearranged. She’s a warrior activist, fierce and unafraid. Her strength and her persistence will never be swayed. She’ll break down barriers, and she’ll shatter glass ceilings. Her impact will be felt in the heart of all who are willing. So, let’s stand with her and raise our voices high for the women activists with a force that will never die.”
Vaughn said Black women’s silent cries sometimes go unheard. But she said there is a warrior in each Black woman and all have “something to do.”
Vaughn closed by saying: “I implore you to be the women that rise to the level of our standards so we can take this country with us – because we’re warrior Black women.”
Other distinguished speakers at the event included Political Adviser Tashawna Gill and Sherry Gay-Dagnogo of the Detroit School Board.
In addition to Dr. De Loney being celebrated, Cultural Artist Mama Sol and Professional Boxer and Mixed Martial Artist Claressa Shields were honored and publicly praised.
