And So The Conversation Begins ...

Yaaya was founded out of a social necessity for black girls and women in 21st century Europe to share their own personal stories. These are real-life stories of game-changing triumphs, determined endeavours, and the highs and lows of unexpected self-discoveries.

There are monologues of concern about the lack of recognition of black female icons and leaders (not the lack of black female role models), and the oversimplification of a population of black females to a point where they become socially invisible. It is time for all of us to help bring together these individual discussion threads.

Today, everyone is being invited to come and sit at the table: to challenge,and transform perceptions by discussing the achievements, aspirations, ambitions of black girls and women in Europe; to delve deeper into a constructive dialogue where issues of negative stereotyping and social invisibility can be addressed collectively.

And so the conversation begins …

Anon:

To quote Shakespeare, “What’s in a name?”

Yaaya:

(smiles) We thought you might ask that. Yaaya is derived from the Ghanaian name “Yaa” - pronounced “Yah”. It is the name of a woman or girl of the Ashanti ethnic group, who is born on Thursday. It is also the name of one of Africa’s fiercest female warriors called Yaa Asantewaa. She was Queen Mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire, and famously led the Ashanti rebellion known as “The War of the Golden Stool” against British colonialism in 1900.

Anon:

So is Yaaya the modern day “Yaa Asantewaa”?

Yaaya:

Well, it is often said that your name births the qualities of your character. For us, Yaa Asantewaa personifies Yaaya. She represents a strong and supportive, fierce and fearless, confident and courageous woman who boldly addressed injustice and led a nation to reclaim its identity. We, the Founders, hope that Yaaya will give influence and a voice to black girls and women in Europe.

Anon:

A voice?

Yaaya:

Yes, a voice to call together a community to help each other raise aspirations, confidence, and mentor ambitions in a positive way. For us, we want talk to motivate action … and action to motivate more talk. (Reflective pause). We want to create a forum in Europe for black females from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and experiences to talk about their everyday realities. Then from here, help build strong interconnected networks and support systems. Everyone believing in the need for such an initiative is definitely encouraged to participate!

Anon:

Are these black girls and women you mention who you collectively refer to as “those” in your motto?

Yaaya:

Yes. And No. So yes, “Those who have, those who are, and those who will” is intended to speak to our belief in black girls and women of the past, present and future generations to inspire, aspire and be catalysts for social change. But as mentioned before, this initiative requires a community to affect the effect we want and need. Our motto also speaks to those who have supported, are supporting and hopefully will support the social visibility and the recognition of positive images of black girls and women.

Anon:

The stories that will be told – are they just about black girls and women sharing their career successes, or are they more than that?

Yaaya:

Human beings are complex. If Yaaya was only focusing on career successes, we’d be telling one story. Apart from that one story being incomplete and inaccurate, it’s dangerous.

Anon:

Ah – as Chimamanda Adichie’s explained in “The Danger of a Single Story”.

Yaaya:

Exactly! We want to help tell and in turn help shape as many stories as possible. To tell only one side would be oversimplifying a person’s identity, struggles and triumphs. That’s how perceptions of a people become … “blurred”, and that’s how people become socially invisible. Attained success is as good a life lesson as unattained success - everyone’s path in life is different and is definitely a journey we can all learn and find motivation from.

Anon:

I see. So I guess for me, Yaaya represents … a platform to inspire ambition and celebrate achievement; to foster dialogue and tackle issues of social invisibility of black girls and women; and to promote fairer and positive images of black girls and women.

Yaaya:

That was very nicely put; those are our principles.