In Atlanta, Mary Anne Adams, a passionate community researcher and activist, noticed something troubling: Black lesbians over 50 seemed increasingly absent from community events and organizations. Driven by her commitment, Adams wanted answers. Was it due more significant issues like health challenges, or perhaps a result from a predominantly youth-focused culture in LGBTQ spaces? Or was racialized ageism at play?
In 2015, Adams founded ZAMI NOBLA, short-hand as "National Organization Of Black Lesbians on Aging"—the first and only U.S. organization dedicated solely towards empowering Black lesbian elders. With branches based in both Atlanta, Georgia, and Leland, North Carolina, ZAMI NOBLA provides a unique array services tailored towards this often overlooked demographic.
Bringing people together and celebrating their stories
ZAMI NOBLA runs a variety programs aimed at enriching lives: support groups, educational workshops, wellness events, social networking. They also lend help with housing and food needs and engage in advocacy work. A key initiative, The Community Archivist Project, focuses on preserving and celebrating vibrant histories through year-long efforts.
Leading this storytelling charge, Angela Denise Davis, a blind ordained minister and ukulele teacher, turns conversations with older Black lesbians engaging podcasts. Through her interviews with figures like Tracy Tray, a steadfast blind lawyer, and Marissa Penderman, a pastor advocating social justice, Davis captures diverse experiences.
Among standout storytellers, there's Midgett—an 82-year-old erotica writer whose words offer wisdom on shaping your future now. Davis' conversations show storytelling's power in nurturing community bonds and enriching souls.
Why storytelling matters
"Our aim? To share these stories," Davis said on her podcast. "They hold power, they tell truths. They sustain us and build bridges between people and communities."
Through storytelling and oral history projects, ZAMI NOBLA steps forward in highlighting Black lesbians' contributions ensuring voices are heard and remembered. It fosters connections spanning generations, strengthening community ties. These stories contribute meaningfully towards an inclusive historical tapestry richly honoring resilient Black lesbians and their activism.
ZAMI NOBLA also explores justice issues interwoven with race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Each story challenges listeners, prompting engagement with complexities and identifying ways supporting individuals as they navigate often-overlooked societal challenges.
"The immortality found within our stories lies in connections crafted with others'," Davis remarked. "Discovering oneself woven within others' narratives ensures laps through retelling and sharing these precious stories."
Legacy in stories shared
Davis noticed that after formal recordings, when interviewees were most comfortable, intimate details would emerge. Many participants came from backgrounds where sharing personal tales was highly discouraged out fear judgment or backlash.
"We've been told things like 'Don't reveal that; someone might judge you,' but our stories unify us," Davis noted. "They stand as reminders that resilience remains constant amid adversity, connecting us with others."
ZAMI NOBLA ensures through storytelling, that Black lesbian elders' voices resonate and are duly celebrated. As Davis eloquent expressed, stories gain immortality through resonance with others, forging lasting legacies over time.
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