Misogyny in the music industry is finally getting the spotlight, prompting Shondra Bowie Riley to write a poem that examines the music she has listened to over the years and the messages they’re giving.

True & Woke present Five compelling portraits and audio narratives of women of colour who share lived experiences of racism by Photographer Nikki Kilburn

Diane may never know the impact she had on my life. When I had a stroke and lost my ability to walk at the age of 38 (after having a baby, no less) I found strength and inspiration in having known her. I had seen the proof that disability doesn’t mean the end of a joyful and fulfilling life.

I’ve recently found myself immersed in women of colour’s stories and the latest news articles that urgently display the plague of gender-based violence against women. I look to these women’s stories to understand the healing process and cancel the message that we exist to be controlled, abused, silenced and discarded.

Researcher Geneva Brigg urges black women to renounce the title of ‘The Strong Black Woman’ because it negatively impacts mental health and well-being.

If folks cannot step out of white fragility to hear us, all the tools and resources we have are redundant festering on the scrapheap of the oppressed.