Bre’Ann White has been curating photography and developing iconic branding for clients and influencers the world over. She recently shared her thoughts with us about the importance of Black History Month.
Be sure to check out more of our celebration of Black History Month.
The following interview has been lightly edited.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a time to celebrate black history 10 times more than we celebrate it on an everyday basis. Black History Month is a time that is exponentially bigger than how we normally talk about black history. Basically, how I look at Black History Month is that we rejoice in the pain and the suffering and how it’s brought about today. It’s all about foundations, understanding past generations to be able to talk to each other now.
Why is Black History Month so important?
Black History Month is so important because I feel like each nation should know about their past, and how the history of black people has been undervalued in so much national history. In a broader way, people should know that black people created traffic lights, that black people got men to the moon, and why aren’t we learning about this? Why does it show up in a movie 50 years later for people to know this history? That’s why I think Black History Month is important, to celebrate the past and see how it’s helped make the present.
Why do you think it’s important for StockX to celebrate Black History Month?
It’s important for StockX to celebrate black history because one, StockX has workers that are African American, and two, StockX is such a big platform where it can spread knowledge to other countries and other cultures who might never have the chance to learn about black history. StockX can provide an opportunity to help people understand what African Americans have been through, and not just what people might be taught in school.
What do you think is Black History Month’s legacy?
I think it’s going to actually change; It’s going to be about today. Like what’s happening during our generation is going to provide inspiration for future generations. Black History Month’s legacy is going to be people who proactively change their community by using the examples of US history, which is black history. Black History Month’s legacy is creating a space to look back and consider what’s happened, what’s happening, and what’s coming.
How do you hope to inspire future generations?
I’m a photographer, so I use art to inspire. I use my art to talk about what’s happening in our current moment. Also, I use my art to develop a space in a neighborhood where people can express themselves. I’m just trying to keep African American traditions going. I want people to be able to celebrate African American culture and history for the next 200 years, at least. I want the tradition of black history to keep on living.
