Local Magazine Working To Share Black Women’s Stories
CHARLOTTE, NC — Flipping through the pages of Sistories you’ll find many different stories. “Each of the issues is rooted in some famous black woman writer or author,” Ashley Nickens said. Founder Ashley Nickens created the award winning publication as a way to share the stories of black women on a platform exclusively for them. ” We open and curate space for black women, fems and gender expansive people to share their stories in print and through story sharing workshops,” Nickens said.
Inspiring Empowerment Through Stories
In the 4 years since Nickens started the magazine she’s distributed over 400 free copies. She said it’s a way to empower black women and show the often marginalized group their stories are valuable. “I hope they find power in their stories and their voices and that they know that they are not limited to one version of themselves and they can constantly grow and evolve,” Nickens said.
Seeking Support for Continued Impact
In order to continue their work, the organization needs funding. “We’ve grown relatively quickly and at the same time have not been able to secure enough funds to really sustain the work that we’re trying to do,” Nickens said. To address this, Nickens started a Go Fund Me with a goal of $20,000, encouraging people to donate to help sustain the magazine and continue their mission in the Charlotte community.
Empowering Black Communities
“By supporting our work and supporting our efforts to help heal and liberate ourselves and black communities we’re also working to heal and liberate all of Charlotte as well,” Nickens stated. She hopes that black women will remember the power they have in sharing their stories. “Black women are valuable so in everything that we do we want to reiterate that black women are the center here and we are valuable and we deserve to be the center of our stories,” Nickens emphasized.
Making an Impact Through Collaboration
Sistories is not just a magazine, but a platform to amplify the voices and experiences of black women, giving them the recognition and visibility they deserve in society. Through collaboration and community support, Nickens and her team aim to continue inspiring and empowering others with the stories they share.
In a world where representation and inclusion are crucial, initiatives like Sistories play a vital role in creating spaces for underrepresented voices to be heard and celebrated. As the magazine strives to make a difference in the lives of black women and communities, the call for support and funding becomes even more significant to sustain and expand their impactful work.