Black Joy is a Celebration of Community, Resilience, and Empowerment

In the world we inhabit today, connections form an invisible network of strength and support, a truth beautifully exemplified in the lives of three remarkable individuals. Shereen Kukah, Matthieu Ajan, and Lauren Gee are members of a creative community dedicated to honoring and uplifting Black Joy, and each has found unique ways to express this powerful concept. Their stories are part of a shared journey made possible by supportive networks and initiatives aimed at fostering growth, resilience, and sustainability within Black communities. Each individual’s experience weaves into the fabric of a broader narrative where Black Joy thrives, not only as a celebration but as a form of quiet rebellion and reclamation.

Shereen Kukah: Skating Into Empowerment

For Shereen, Black Joy is embodied in the act of roller skating, an experience that lets her embrace freedom and community in its purest form. "Black Joy is deeply important to me because it represents resilience, celebration, and the beauty of our culture in the face of adversity," she says. Through her involvement in Build Hustle Grow, Do it Now Now’s (DiNN) program for empowering Black business owners, she has discovered that joy is not just a personal journey but one that she shares with others in her community. Skating, for Shereen, is more than a sport—it’s a communal gathering where she lifts up her “fellow sisters,” helping them find joy in the glide and in the journey.

With DiNN’s support, Shereen has found the space to grow her business and expand her community reach. “DiNN has been instrumental in helping me understand the true value of community and support. Through their work, I’ve learned how vital it is to have a network of people who not only understand your journey but are actively rooting for your success,” she shares. This sense of collective joy and resilience is exactly what Shereen aims to pass on through every skill taught and every moment shared with her community.

Matthieu Ajan: Curating Black Narratives

Meanwhile, Matthieu Ajan, a filmmaker and the founder of Bounce Cinema, expresses Black Joy by showcasing the beauty, challenges, and triumphs of the Black experience through film. Currently participating in DiNN’s Make it Big program, Matthieu is working in a space where he can expand his already impactful work with the resources, guidance, and community that DiNN curates specifically for Black impact leaders.

“Black Joy is really important simply because there's so many positive things our community is creating in the world, and it's important we celebrate it,” Matthieu explains. At Bounce Cinema, he curates films that reflect the vibrancy of Black culture, celebrating its nuances and complexities. He recognizes the critical role of community resilience, especially in the creative industry where challenges are plentiful. “It’s a beautiful reminder that there are advocates who support community organizations. It’s a collective effort to really make a difference to the creative industries so having the support of DiNN is a blessing.”

Lauren Gee: Capturing Joy and Resilience Through Film

Lauren Gee, the talented filmmaker behind Dancing on Road, a documentary about the Black female skate community, explores Black Joy as both an act of celebration and a means of defiance. Her documentary doesn’t shy away from the societal barriers that attempt to stifle this joy, like misogynoir and daily microaggressions. Instead, she chooses to emphasize how Black women resist these challenges by fostering joy in the spaces they create for one another. "In the face of these many 'isms', Black Joy remains an act of protest, a means to claim back what is ours," Lauren says. Through dancing, music, smiles, and shared community, her film is a testament to joy as a liberating force.

Through her participation in the Black Britain Unspoken program by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Lauren received the tools and connections she needed to tell such powerful stories, connections that brought her closer to creatives like Shereen and Matthieu. “Through this program, I have been connected to so many people I might not have met anywhere else,” she notes. Her experience underlines the importance of representation behind the lens, where her lens has become a vehicle for shared experiences and, above all, shared joy.

A Beautiful Interwoven Tapestry

The connection between Shereen, Matthieu, and Lauren is more than just circumstantial; it’s an illustration of the interconnected web that DiNN has fostered, one where individuals inspire, uplift, and build upon one another’s success. Shereen’s presence in Dancing on Road, the collaboration between Black Britain Unspoken and with Bounce Cinema, and Letitia Seglah, DiNN’s Head of Learning and Programmes, appearing in the documentary, underscore the collaborative spirit at the heart of this community. This interwoven tapestry serves as a reminder of the strength that comes from community-driven joy and support.

Witness the Power of Black Joy

To witness the power of Black Joy in motion, watch Dancing on Road. See how this documentary captures the essence of community and the resilience of Black women reclaiming their spaces. Each smile, each dance, and each shared moment is a testament to a joy that cannot be contained. Embrace this journey with us, and let it inspire you to find and celebrate joy in your own community.

Watch Dancing on Road—where Black Joy, resilience, and unity come alive.