voltron
A Manifestation of Togetherness
VOLTRON (noun)
a 1980’s animated television show about space explorers whose robots combine to form a super robot.
black and brown folk
TOGETHERNESS (noun)
warm fellowship, as among members of family.
the quality, state, or condition of being together.
“Yo, what if we did 70’s meets the future?”
The session was born like any other: someone had a spark and it lit a fire under the rest of us. In this case, I had an idea that just wouldn’t quit.
Explaining it to MUA Jen Malave, she countered with, “What you mean, Mel? Like, some cyborg shit in the 70s?”
I laughed, because that’s exactly what I meant.
There were no stipulations. There were no conditions. There were no caveats.
Jen prepared our model, Mecca, while stylist Darling Nikki of Everythang Dope prepared clothing, while my assistant, Nneka, and I prepared the backdrop and lighting. We had roles to play, but we each enjoyed the freedom of offering our specific flavor to the pot with no expectations, yet still knowing, trusting it was going to be delicious. When the time came, Mecca’s modeling skill was the final touch, the cherry on top.
Simply by showing up to the studio as our fullest selves, we were complete, Voltron, fully formed.
Imagine if we took this same philosophy, this idea of VOLTRON, into our homes, our communities.
No longer are we seeking validation from a people who would murder us in the streets and playback our deaths on repeat for ratings.
Nah. We off that, because every one of us has exactly what we seek right within us. And you don’t have to be a futuristic cyborg to see it.
We affirm we. We pour into we.
Our freedom lies within us. Our freedom comes when we trust ourselves and each other enough. Our freedom comes when we love vulnerably. Our freedom comes when we focus on what we offer, finding joy in what makes us us.
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LEAP.
CREDITS
PHOTO: Melissa Alexander of Phyllis Iller
MUA: Jen Malave of Genisis Fresh
STYLING: Darling Nikki of Everythang Dope
MODEL: Mecca Oyin
ASSISTANT: Nneka Presley of Phyllis Iller