Baltimore, MD — On Saturday, October 25, the Creatively Black Baltimore exhibition space at the Inner Harbor transformed into a vibrant celebration of sound, sisterhood, and shared storytelling during the “Honoring Dear Black Girl: Discussion & Listening Event.”
The evening blended art, conversation, and live performance to center the experiences of Black women and girls in Baltimore and beyond. Guests gathered for an interactive discussion and musical journey featuring Aja Maria, whose live performance filled the gallery with rhythm and reflection. Music was curated by DJ 3CHONOMIX, setting a soulful backdrop for intentional listening and connection.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Dear Black Girl Awards, recognizing women whose creativity and leadership embody the project’s mission of empowerment and healing. This year’s honorees included Aja Maria, Betty Covington, and K’yeona Winston—each celebrated for their artistic excellence, community engagement, and authenticity.
In addition to the awards and performances, the event featured a marketplace of Black women–owned businesses offering handmade and artisan products. Among the featured vendors were Lailah Eloise-Munford, founder of Eloise-Munford, known for her handcrafted accessories and wellness goods; Yelestitches, a Nigerian-owned fashion brand recognized for bold cultural design and a previous Dear Black Girl honoree; and Tamara “Ms. TeeKay” Kumoji, a creative entrepreneur whose work continues to inspire across the region.
At the center of the event was Tamara Payne, professor of art at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and the visionary behind the Dear Black Girl project. Payne’s installation has garnered international attention from Travel Noire, Ebony Magazine, BET, and others for its exploration of identity, womanhood, and community through multimedia expression.
During the event, Payne reflected on her work and its purpose:
“My art is an investigation that explores the constructions of Black and brown women and girls. Through multimedia I am exploring new ways of combining our narratives, portraiture, and communal practices in healing, and creating curated spaces that allow Black and brown women and girls to process many issues in our communities. The relationship building that happens among the Black and brown women and girls is a huge part of the process. Acknowledging the importance of creating these safe spaces allows us to create healthy conversations in community.”
Most recently, Dear Black Girl expanded its reach by incorporating words from the Benin Women’s National Cycling Team, who visited Baltimore during their historic debut at the Maryland Cycling Classic. The team shared personal reflections that now appear within the installation, extending its message of global sisterhood. Their visit was previously featured in The Baltimore Times.
With its mix of visual art, music, performance, and marketplace culture, the Honoring Dear Black Girl event underscored the importance of creative spaces that honor the stories and resilience of women of color. The evening stood as both a celebration and a continuation of the project’s evolving mission — to listen, to connect, and to heal through art.
