The women who made me By creative director Rharha Nembhard
Artist and creative director of the acclaimed revolutionary movement Noirwave Rharha Nembhard, 28, is very much the definition of a force to be reckoned with. Here, she talks the five women who have been the most influential and inspirational in her life.
MY MOTHER
She gave me life. I am because of her. She is my biggest inspiration and motivation, and a visionary who carves dreams into reality daily. She has taught me that anything is possible with prayer, hard work and tunnel vision.
JENN NKIRU
I was introduced to Jenn Nkiru’s work in 2017. Her short film, Rebirth is Necessary, completely changed my life. Her work shifted my consciousness in ways that I could only dream of. As a black female director, she is carving out a new narrative of black consciousness and inspiring a trail of women, including myself, to take their rightful place and level up.
MY AUNT
Everine Nembhard taught me how to be free in spirit, body and mind. She armed my creativity and gave me the freedom to be at a time when I was still very much finding out who exactly I was. Her personal style was very progressive and out of the box. She has inspired me to live unapologetically on my own terms.
MY GRANDMOTHER
An unmovable, unshakeable matriarch who is a tower of strength, I’m always inspired by her strength in the face of adversity. She carved out a life for her and her family in spite of extreme challenges, and did so with grace and laughter. She is my refuge in times of trouble and has taught me how to find inner strength time and time again.
MARINA ABRAMOVIC
I’m constantly inspired by the way she pushes the limits. Marina inspires me to keep going, to keep breaking boundaries, to be still, to follow my path and embrace the ideas that seem impossible.