Zeda the Architect: "Black joy is not a crime"

On Wednesday, October 30, Seanchoíche will collaborate with Black and Irish and Zeda the Architect to present a special evening of storytelling to celebrate Black joy.

The event will take place at The Fumbally Cafe in honour of Black History Month, with a secret line-up of performers speaking on the theme of 'JOY,' bringing together voices from the Black community to share their unique and powerful stories.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to spontaneously share their own stories during the event, encouraging an atmosphere of open expression and connection.

"Everything I do is so involved in joy and trying to feel good despite all the crazy s**t happening in the world," says host Zeda, a visual artist, stylist, and director based in Dublin.

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Zeda first worked with Seanchoíche on a spoken word event surrounding expressions of defiance, and says that the perfromances were deeply moving.

"We had Palestinian speakers, we had Asian speakers, we had different communities... it's kind of what I'm passionate about: bigging up people from minority communities."

As Black History Month approached, the multi-hyphenate approached the story-telling initiative as well as the Black and Irish organisation to host a night surrounding the topic of Black joy.

The theme, she says, felt especially important following the incident that took place during a block party hosted by Black-owned clothing store Tola Vintage to celebrate Culture Night.

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Three people were arrested on the night, with a senior Garda source telling The Journal that Gardaí were clearing the streets for public safety reasons.

A Garda spokesman also stated that any actions undertaken by Gardaí "were solely focused on public safety in a public space".

Despite this, the gardaí's handling of the event quickly sparked online discussions, with representative groups positing that Black communities in Ireland are treated very differently than white communities.

Following these concerns, An Garda Síochána issued a statement explaining that they have since engaged with these representative groups and that this engagement is "ongoing".

On October 4, Tola Vintage posted the following post to Instagram:

"Yesterday we had a meeting in Pearse Street Garda Station. They accepted that what happened on culture night, should have never happened like that. They accepted that the force used should have been the last result. Moving forward they want to work with us. Primarily we want to ensure safety for our Tola team, friends, family and customers. So see you guys next year. Your voices and frustrations were heard. Never stop fighting for what you think is right."

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Reflecting on this series of events, Zeda says that she hopes her upcoming event will honour all sides of the Black and Irish experience.

"I'm really inspired by the phrase - and I'm not even sure where I heard it from - but it's 'Black joy is not a crime'," says Zeda.

"We don't know exactly what the speakers will speak about, but I'm hoping it's going to be the sadness of joy, the happiness of joy - it's a double sided coin, even if you don't think so."

"I'm really proud and honoured that people are interested," she continued, noting that the mystery line-up includes familiar faces as well as brand new up and comers.

"I'm mentally prepping myself for some tears. It's so emotional because people are sharing a piece of themselves. Some of the speakers will have never spoken in front of a crowd before and they're sharing their poetry, their work."

"Existing in Ireland as a Black Irish person is a very double edged sword," she adds. "There are happy days but there are so many sad days. I've had things thrown at me, I've also been physically attacked in the past - that's just the life and it's getting worse and worse."

"You gotta keep pushing. You've got to hold on to that joy otherwise you might fall into depths, which I have in the past. It's just feckin' hard, man."

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Profits from tonight's event will be donated to two charities: MASI and Feed the Homeless, two organisations dedicated to supporting and uplifting the Black and Irish as well as the wider community.

"Everything I do, I try to do for someone else," says Zeda, "and it's always tied back to something in my past".

Originally from Abeokuta, Nigeria, she says that groups like MASI - a platform supporting those seeking international protection in Ireland - are especially close to her heart.

"Whenever I have a chance to do a charity event, I'll always pitch those two," she explains. "We want to try and raise as much as we can because they're two charities that are close to the Black and Irish community but also for the wider community.

"The homelessness crisis is a huge crisis right now in Ireland and Feed the Homeless do such amazing work that I think should be applauded."

For more information, follow Zeda, Black and Irish, and Seanchoiche on Instagram.