Black Herstory

Designed by London based illustrator Emma Balebela (she/they)

Designed by @ebalebela and kick-started by Everpress in support of @sistahspace, Black Herstory is a fundraising campaign to help Hackney-based non-profit organisation Sistah Space purchase a canal boat as their new space of refuge and support to victims of domestic abuse.

Why Black Herstory?

“Can you see me? Can you hear me?” This is the victims’ outcry. Their voices have been silenced too often and for too long. Can you see them? Can you hear them? History is Herstory. Herstory is Black Herstory. We join Sistah Space in their outcry for help and support for the victims of domestic abuse, who are too often made feel invisible.

Why @sistahspace?

Sistah Space is a community based and non profit initiative founded in 2015 to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services and support for African-heritage victims of domestic abuse. They operate in the heart of Hackney, a stone’s throw away from where we are based. Supporting grassroots work and giving back to the community, and especially our immediate community, are the core drivers of what we do, so we’re proud to help support their mission in any way we can.

Why this fundraiser?

The tragic and horrific murder of Sarah Everard shook us all to the core. As the events following her disappearance unfolded, we paused all content and tried to channel our rage into something good. We were looking for tangible ways to help, to raise awareness, and to be proactive. We were also aware that the media attention and public outcry that surrounded the tragic death of Sarah, made a stark counterpoint to how Black victims of crime are mistreated, disregarded, misrepresented and silenced by the police, the media and the wider public.

We knew we wanted to support a cause or an organisation that felt close to our heart and the community we work in, and @sistahspace was the first name that came to mind. Having followed their work, and upon finding out that Hackney Council had displaced them from their office last year, we reached out to the team and offered to help run a T-shirt fundraiser in any capacity and with any goal they felt was appropriate. Charnelle, Djanomi, Ngozi, Ivy and Rose told us about their project to purchase the Black Sistah Liner.

Why the Sistah Liner?

“We want to access space on the canal so that we can once again enjoy the calmness of the water,” the team explain. “Many Black women speak of living in council flats with no garden and no access to homes or 'places by the water'. This fund will support us in achieving that safe space.” The Sistah Liner will be a new permanent getaway space, where victims can enjoy retreats , and Sistah Space can deliver safety training to community members.

Join us in supporting @sistahspace today. Pre-order a Black Herstory tee or donate via the Go Fund Me above.