“Black Joy Is My Protest” is not only the name of an in-person exhibit, it is also a motto and lifestyle that was ignited by the 2020 virtual exhibit that Jennifer N. Shannon curated titled: “REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists and It Always Will.”

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After the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, Jennifer decided that Black people needed to see themselves as the joyous, loving, talented, creative, intelligent, spiritual people that they are, which is contrary to what the media has portrayed. Therefore, Jennifer put a call for submissions for poetry, art and photography out on Instagram and Facebook to be a part of REVOLT, and the response was amazing.

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The REVOLT exhibit featured 13 artists from across the country, including Tyrone N. Manning who is now co-producing the in-person event. REVOLT showcased poetry and photography and demonstrated black joy as a source of resistance which penned the phrase “Black Joy Is MyProtest.”