Moonlight is a place in between, a place of light and dark (shadow), a place of contrast, a place of beauty and fear. As women, we are often through necessity, forced to embrace duality to survive. We feel this duality sharpens us and makes us “survivors.” As lovers of the realms of science fiction and fantasy, where our imagination can soar, very few characters who are “the heroes and even villains” have been described in their appearance as Black, Person of Color, Disabled, or otherwise overlooked communities. We feel strongly that these artists and illustrators be given space and freedom to celebrate the moonlight which fuels and feeds our imagination to survive.

 

We chose the Swahili word ‘mawazo’ meaning "imagination" to honor our African ancestry. Imagination has always been the most powerful tool of oppressed people and the most feared tool by their oppressors. Imagination inspires survival, dreams, hopes, in other words -- the future. We are grateful and honored to be the product of moonlight and imagination (mawazo) which allows us to not only be artists but also allows us to bring great art and artists into the light with this endeavor.

 

Bright Blessings, 

Shawyonia Pettigrew, Core Passion Consulting 

Subrina Wood, The Cinnamon Cinephile.