By: Dalgis Mosqueda
The screening at the Justice Film Festival of Black Girls, directed by the visionary B. Monét and produced by Never Whisper Justice, was powerful. The documentary was a deeply intimate and unapologetic exploration of the multifaceted lives of Black girls and women, diving into themes of body, beauty, health, mind, community, creativity, and the essence of womanhood itself.
Black Girls stands as an anthology of rebirth, transformation, and healing which came to be through more than twenty interviews over two and a half years conducted across Los Angeles, New York, and Maryland. The documentary captures the resilience, complexity, and brilliance of Black women. It goes beyond just telling stories—it creates a space for reflection, empowerment, and a call to action.
What makes Black Girls so compelling is its intentional amplification of voices that have been overlooked. Featuring changemakers like Olympian Allyson Felix, activist Olympia Auset, and literary powerhouse Marley Dias, the film highlights the ways Black women turn adversity into advocacy.
The screening was more than just a film viewing; it was an experience. As an audience member, I witnessed the raw honesty and emotional depth that B. Monét masterfully captured. Each segment of the documentary wove together a narrative of strength—one that acknowledges struggle but prioritizes healing, one that embraces individuality while celebrating collective empowerment.
The energy in the room was electric. Every frame, every testimony, and every moment of Black Girls reinforced the necessity of spaces that center Black womanhood. The Q&A following the screening allowed director B. Monét to share how directing the film was a beautiful process that allowed for deep connections with the documentary subjects. Monét emphasized how rewarding it was to interview women and to learn from them all. She shared the complexities of selecting the stories that would be most impactful for the viewer, who she emphasized is not exclusive to Black women, but to all who are open to learning about Black womanhood. The most beautiful part of the film was the call to action for the audience. We were encouraged to participate in Black women’s empowerment through the investment in their health, the reclamation and acceptance of their undeniable beauty, often unjustly labeled as “ugly,” and the commitment to community, art, and creativity.
Truly a vision of a Flawless World of inclusion!
