
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.
billie holiday
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Payton Drumwright
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Roshun Davis
Make-Up Artist: Myisha Foy
Inspiration: Live Performance Photographed by Everett
Patti Labelle
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Ania Holland
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Kyra Williams
Make-Up Artist: Bobbi Johnson
Inspiration: I'm In Love Again Album Cover Photographed by Bruce Laurance
Phyllis Hyman
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Azariah Harris
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Azariah Harris
Make-Up Artist: Tattiana Smith
Inspiration: Goddess of Love Album Cover Photographed by Phyllis Cuington
Left Eye
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Aliyah Staten
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Kyra Williams
Make-Up Artist: Tattiana Smith
Inspiration: Live Performance Photo Featured on glamour.com
eve
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Taylar Dallas
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Make-Up Artist: Jurnee Gabri-El
Inspiration: Scorpion Album Cover Photographed by Kithe Brewster
jill scott
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Ava Jackson
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Ava Jackson
Make-Up Artist: Jurnee Gabri-El
Inspiration: "Golden" Music Video Directed by Chris Robinson
dj diamond kuts
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Amya Jackson
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Anisa Mason
Make-Up Artist: Myisha Foy
Inspiration: Photoshoot featured on HRBooking.com
jazmine sullivan
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Tanyyah Peterson
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Shanell Jett
Make-Up Artist: Jurnee Gabri-El
Inspiration: Heaux Tales Album Cover Photographed by Myesha Evon Gardner
tierra whack
Photographer: Kyra Williams
Model: Taylor Jones
Stylist: Kyra Williams & Karis Pringle
Hair Stylist: Shanté Williams
Make-Up Artist: Tattiana Smith
Inspiration: Images Photographed by Maria Jose Govea
Photo Payment
Print order payments are accepted via CashApp at $StoriesInMyBackyard, Venmo at @SIMBY, GoFundMe (link below), and through Zelle to Kyra Williams at 215-571-5476. To Zelle, you can also scan the QR code below in your banking app.
