Aarony Bailey: Black History Month Submission

These impactful photo projects respond to Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, we ran a callout inviting photographers in Dazed Club to respond to this year’s BHM theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride. Here are nine of our favourites...

AARONY BAILEY

“I’m a photographer and filmmaker who uses the camera to capture semi-autobiographical narratives surrounding femininity and sexuality. Looking at the complexities of relationships, whether that’s through sisterhood or through romantic partners, I like to highlight the power of intimacy and its importance in our understanding of ourselves. My subjects, often Black women and femmes, are strong, bright, and incredibly personal, showcasing that there’s power in vulnerability, owning who you are, and not being afraid to take up the space to do so” – Aarony Bailey

ADA E

“We Have Joy, Thus We Are Proud celebrates the fullness of Black life, the laughter of youth, the rhythm of tradition, the power of visibility, and the courage of identity. From ancestral echoes to queer self-expression, each image is a testament to standing firm in who we are, rooted in history and radiant in the present” – Ada E

EZRA ALEXANDER PUSEY

“A softer side of Black masculinity, one that embraces vulnerability, grace, and quiet strength; power and softness coexist beautifully and unapologetically. Titled Gentle.Man, this shoot aims to change the narrative of self-identity and expression” – Ezra Alexander Pusey

HANNAH-MIA HINDS

“Black women, East Boston, Ruth and Nyandeng. These women paused their studies in literature and law to pose for a friend practising 120 mm for the first time. Regardless of the external pressure they endured in their eight-hour school day, they stood firm for me as I struggled with my art. It took me 20 minutes to load the film, and during the time that elapsed while waiting for me to fail and try again, I was able to capture their vulnerability in return” – Hannah-Mia Hinds

KADESSI ALASSANI

“ATLAS reimagines the myth of carrying the world as a story of Black endurance and grace. Each image explores how strength can exist alongside vulnerability; how we bear weight not just through muscle, but through memory and identity. Standing firm becomes both an act of survival and self-definition. It’s about holding the world, yet refusing to be crushed by it” – Kadessi Alassani

KOURTNEY IMAN KING

“Golden Girls embodies what it means to stand firm in power and pride. Inspired by the first majorette dancers publicly televised in 1968, the work honours how Black women and girls have long used movement as a language of visibility and strength. Through the Prestigious Pearls, a youth majorette team in Atlanta, this series celebrates self-expression, confidence, and collective care. It’s a portrait of girls learning to move through the world with discipline and grace” – Kourtney Iman King

MUMBY

“My work explores Black identity through the emotional lens of adulthood, which is messy, sensual and complex. I paint because we deserve to be remembered in full colour. It’s my way to redefine how Black presence is seen and who gets to shape that visibility. To me, that represents standing firm in power and pride” – Mumby

NIYA TAYLOR

“Funded by BFI Doc Society, Beyond The Rush explores the decline of Luton’s Caribbean culture. Told through many personal stories and recollections, this documentary explores the gradual erasure of an undeniable legacy; what remains are the questions of how the community reclaims their traditions and thrives once again. The film is beautiful, nostalgic and mainly about resilience, pride and the power of a culture. It premiered at the London Film Festival 2025” – Niya Taylor

TONIQUE

A Form of Corrosion is a series of paintings that focus on the corrosion of old Jamaican coins, highlighting the carvings that connect me to my heritage. My hand-painted coins carry more than currency — they hold history, heritage, and pride. Worn by time yet still enduring, their corroded surfaces reveal resilience and transformation. The carvings of national symbols stand firm through change, reminding us that identity, like metal, may tarnish but never loses its weight or strength” – Tonique

To see more of their work and connect with Dazed Club members, download the Dazed Club app here.

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