Let Black Folks Feel

May 30, 2023 - June 4, 2023 

Opening Reception: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 

7pm-9pm 

Heath Gallery - 24 W 120th St, New York, NY 10027

“For Dust Thou Art” Eden, 2023

Blackness applied to any concept creates a complex and political dynamic. The conversation surrounding mental health in society has moved into the forefront; however, the unique complications that arise from Blackness have not.

Often, Black people are told to suppress their emotions- this begins in childhood from our parents and transcends into adulthood where we are forced to navigate the mental turmoil of existing in a society that consistently fails to recognize and fulfill our basic human needs, of care, acceptance and equality across the spectrum.

This is exhibition is dedicated to the beautiful myriad of emotions that capture the Black experience. It’s purpose it’s to bring awareness to the often overlooked mental health crisis in the Black community and ignite discussion around what it means to let ourselves feel? But most importantly, what does it feel like to let ourselves heal?

All of the works will spotlight the various emotional states that many in the black community experience but cannot give voice to. Black emotions are often labeled but they are never allowed to be. The goal of this exhibition is to create a safe space where Black feelings can radically exist without judgement, barriers, and restrictions. The use of visual prompts will serve as an effective conversation starter on how we can be proactive in counteracting the mental toils we experience on this earth. I am thrilled to share the work of Oldartsoul, Barrington Brisset, Watson Mere, Naderson Saint Pierre, Faith Eden, Nick Onyii Okore and many more artists.

“A Lust Addiction” Ahmad “Lavish” MecElroy, 2022

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jomani Kelly has always gravitated toward the arts. Her journey began with music. A classically trained vocalist since the age of seven, she has always known the creative lifestyle begins with consistency and drive. Her passion for visual arts was so strong that it compelled her to reroute from pursuing her degree in Science.

Coupled with tenacity and consistency, she worked her way to a full-time position as an Event Coordinator and an interim Assistant Director from an internship she began in 2021 at a Soho Gallery.

Jomani’s ability to pivot in high-stress situations while remaining grounded has equipped her with the talent of coordinating multiple events and bridging various artistic communities together.

Some notable events include her art programming for Black Wall Street Gallery. These include a block party takeover amplifying Black Culture for Juneteenth 2021 featuring all black vendors, performances and entertainment. She took lead for consistent artist talks and speaking engagements for representated artists of the gallery in the NYC location.

She took on creative direction at Locker Room Gallery based in Williamsburg Brooklyn for the fall season of 2022. There she hosted and moderated various artist talks based on exhibitions that she had curated and artistically directed. Her independent art programming and pop up art shows began in summer 2022 where she began curating art exhibitions in local black owned venues in BedStuy and Williamsburg.

At the core, her focus is building wealth in Black communities by way of the arts and self-expression. She currently works at Ronald Feldman Gallery writing and assisting in sales. She freelances as an art journalist for independent art magazines throughout NYC. Her latest contributions can be found in Bleucalf Magazine, a black owned art magazine based out of the Bronx, NYC.

Jayde Allon Barton is a middle school educator, yoga instructor, and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Let Black Kids Feel, an organization focused on the intergenerational healing of Black folk with a youth centered focus.

Originally from South Carolina, Jayde has been a transplant in Brooklyn for the past three years. However, she has worked as an educator in Atlanta and Chicago schools. During her work as an educator, she saw how often Black children were punished for feeling, and not supported in learning how to emotionally regulate. This caused her to analyze the Black community as a whole and realize that a part of the Black experience is being afraid to feel.

Whether it's the workplace calling you aggressive or your manhood questioned for expressing emotions. Her work includes products, classes, and community dialogues around Black mental health. Her ultimate goal is to create a landscape where Black people have the space to acknowledge and heal intergenerational wounds and by starting at the source- children.