How Converse and MQBMBQ want to tell the story of black queerness in Italy

My Queer Blackness, My Black Queerness (MQBMBQ) is an ongoing digital project founded and directed by the editor-at-large of nss magazine and creative director, Jordan Anderson last June in efforts to explore the different perspectives of what it means to be Black and Queer throughout different realities. As a part of its All Stars Program , created to amplify the voice of young creatives and support their work, Converse has decided to collaborate with MQBMBQ on the creation of The Queer Black Italian Experience digital platform, which aims to create a virtual safe space for Black Queer people in Italy to voice their concerns and experiences . Anderson commented:

«The decision to highlight black queerness in Italy is something that was born from intuition. […] I wanted to create a safe space for myself and others within the community to virtually link together and express ourselves among ourselves without the worry of the white gaze, while also basking in the beauty of our existence. I was particularly excited to create this with a brand like Converse because I've taken note that they have a vision parallel to mine in supporting the community and it allowed us the opportunity to the work on this together on a national scale ».

Dario wears Converse shapes, Angelia ami, Ermenegildo Zegna, Vanesi gioielli & Virginia Evangelista

Dario wears Converse shapes, Angelia ami, Ermenegildo Zegna, Vanesi gioielli & Virginia Evangelista

Melanyss wears Ermenegildo Zegna, vintage YSL by Sincontrolvintage & Grifoni

Melanyss wears Ermenegildo Zegna, vintage YSL by Sincontrolvintage & Grifoni

Francesca wears Magliano & Converse Shapes

Francesca wears Magliano & Converse Shapes

In the first "chapter" of this project, entirely produced by nss factory under Anderson's creative direction, Italian society and the lives of the members of the black and queer community within it will be explored – a difficult path, often dotted with hard struggles against the prejudices of an often hostile reality. Interviewed by WWD, Jordan Anderson says: 

«We do not only have to talk always about racism, (although we surely will) it’s just talking about whatever we feel is going on at the time [...]. My objective in doing this [...] was to just show that we exist, that there’s something that needs to be said and these 10 different voices are only a sample from the entire community of Black queer people in Italy».

Lola wears Nicola Bacchilega, vintage Dior by Sincontrol Vintage, Alicepons Womenswear & Alessandro vigilante

Lola wears Nicola Bacchilega, vintage Dior by Sincontrol Vintage, Alicepons Womenswear & Alessandro vigilante

Thoè wears Alessandro Vigilante, Peruffo Jewellery, Natalia Criado & Mon jewellery

Thoè wears Alessandro Vigilante, Peruffo Jewellery, Natalia Criado & Mon jewellery

Through the shots of Silvia Rossi, italo-togolese photographer who has always been involved in the investigation of migration and diaspora, the styling of Thais Montessori Brandao and through the autobiographical narration of ten representatives of the Black Queer community, a collective sharing of lives and experiences is created that will shed light on a reality often overlooked by the mainstream media. The dual objective of the project will be to narrate the beauty of black queerhood in Italy but also to denounce the racism, queerfobia, homophobia and transphobia that often accompany it. This begins with part 1 of the project which is the  series of images of the first 5 muses who tell their stories from their personal perspectives, which will be followed up by part 2 featuring the second half of muses two weeks after, and later on additional initiatives such as a potential zine which is in the works. For the full stories and to keep up with the project's venture's visit MQBMBQ.com