As published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, our founder Kyra Williams is one of 23 creatives out of 600 applicants to receive the Black Music City grant sponsored by REC Philly, WXPN-FM, and WRTI-FM to honor Philly's Black music history. After using this opportunity to continue the work of Stories In My Backyard (SIMBY) --creating learning experiences while amplifying the Black femxle voice in the arts-- her photography project honoring Philly's Black music herstory is finally set to debut to the public on August 14th! Held at the Awbury Arboretum, this SIMBY fundraiser and outdoor exhibit will include food, music, 56 acres of nature for guests to explore, indoor facilities to cool off from the sun, and SIMBY's first in-person photo workshop for Black girls since our soft launch in 2020. This workshop held before the event will be co-instructed by Kyra Williams and Ruby Johnson with camera equipment provided by The Philadelphia School District's TV Station. For those unable to join us for this day of community and art, the exhibit will also be released as a virtual reality experience after the event. Exhibit Description: Philadelphia's motto was expanded to "The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection" by the efforts of longtime radio host and godmother of Black Music Month, Dyana Williams. To continue amplifying the femxle voice in discussions about our city, this photo collection by Kyra Williams is a glance at Philly’s Black music herstory and a labor of love and respect for the Black womxn who have been the soundtrack to our lives: Billie Holiday, Patti LaBelle, Phyllis Hyman, Left Eye, Eve, Jill Scott, DJ Diamond Kuts, Jazmine Sullivan, and Tierra Whack. They’ve been the representation we need, allowing us to see and hear ourselves on screen, on stage, in magazines, and on the radio. They’ve told our stories beautifully through song, putting words and music to experiences that we've struggled to explain. They’ve paved the way for future generations of artists to speak candidly about their experiences while creating their own lanes as lyrical and fashionable risk takers. Without their contributions and the way they’ve amplified our voices, our lives would look and feel differently. These womxn are change makers, culture shifters, trend setters, and undeniable talents that deserve their flowers. Inspired by moments in their careers, these portraits tell nine stories in our backyard with Black womxn and girls from the Philadelphia area —both in front of and behind the camera— to honor their legacies and origins from The City of Sisterly Affection. Please spread the word and bring the whole family out for a nature-filled day of community, art, and herstory as we celebrate the legacies of Black womxn in music from our city! To get your tickets, support our efforts as a nonprofit, and contribute to our expenses for this event, click the links below: Free Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simby-presents-the-voices-of-sisterly-affection-tickets-161003448649?aff=ebdsoporgprofile SIMBY Website https://www.storiesinmybackyard.org/ GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/stories-in-my-backyard-simby-outdoor-exhibit?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet+chico96c&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer Philadelphia Inquirer https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/philadelphia-black-music-city-grants-2021-20210317.html Project Credits: Photographer/Videographer/Editor/ Music Programmer/Creative Director: Kyra Williams Wardrobe Stylists: Karis Pringle and Kyra Williams Makeup Artists: Jurnee Gabri-El, Myisha Foy, Tattiana Smith, and Bobbi Johnson Hair Stylists: Roshun Davis, Shanell Jett, Shanté Williams, Anisa Mason, Ava Jackson, and Azariah Harris Models: (In order of appearance) Taylor Jones, Tanyyah Peterson, Amya Jackson, Ava Jackson, Taylar Dallas, Aliyah Staten, Azariah Harris, Ania Holland, and Payton Drumwright Studio: Rec Philly Exhibit Venue: Awbury Arboretum Thank you for investing in and supporting Black womxn and girls!

This nonprofit fundraiser and outdoor photo exhibit honoring Philly's Black music herstory from Billie Holiday to Tierra Whack was held at the Awbury Arboretum on August 14, 2021. Now it's available in virtual reality for those who couldn't make it in person. Check it out at the link below, spread the word, and support the creative development of Black womxn and girls in Philly by donating or purchasing a photo. Thank you! VR Exhibit: https://bit.ly/3iR8Hw2 Donate/Purchase: https://linktr.ee/SIMBY Exhibit Description: Philadelphia's motto was expanded to "The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection" by the efforts of longtime radio host and godmother of Black Music Month, Dyana Williams. To continue amplifying the femxle voice in discussions about our city, this photo collection by Kyra Williams is a glance at Philly’s Black music herstory and a labor of love and respect for the Black womxn who have been the soundtrack to our lives: Billie Holiday, Patti LaBelle, Phyllis Hyman, Left Eye, Eve, Jill Scott, DJ Diamond Kuts, Jazmine Sullivan, and Tierra Whack. They’ve been the representation we need, allowing us to see and hear ourselves on screen, on stage, in magazines, and on the radio. They’ve told our stories beautifully through song, putting words and music to experiences that we've struggled to explain. They’ve paved the way for future generations of artists to speak candidly about their experiences while creating their own lanes as lyrical and fashionable risk takers. Without their contributions and the way they’ve amplified our voices, our lives would look and feel differently. These womxn are change makers, culture shifters, trend setters, and undeniable talents that deserve their flowers. Inspired by moments in their careers, these portraits tell nine stories in our backyard with Black womxn and girls from the Philadelphia area —both in front of and behind the camera— to honor their legacies and origins from The City of Sisterly Affection. Credits: Creative Director/Photographer/Videographer/Editor/Music Programmer: Kyra Williams Wardrobe Stylists: Karis Pringle and Kyra Williams Makeup Artists: Jurnee Gabri-El, Myisha Foy, Tattiana Smith, and Bobbi Johnson Hair Stylists: Roshun Davis, Shanell Jett, Shanté Williams, Anisa Mason, Ava Jackson, and Azariah Harris Models: (In order of appearance) Taylor Jones, Tanyyah Peterson, Amya Jackson, Ava Jackson, Taylar Dallas, Aliyah Staten, Azariah Harris, Ania Holland, and Payton Drumwright Recap Video Videographer: Jessica Wachuku

On October 21, 2019, we held a one-day photo workshop at The School District of Philadelphia's TV Station (PSTV) where we taught ten black girls basic photography skills. These girls are middle school-aged student-athletes who compete for the Philly Factor Track Club where Kyra Williams, the workshop host and co-instructor, is an assistant coach and photographer for the team. These testimonials birthed SIMBY as an organization.