Essence of Black Girlhood

By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff WriterOn Sunday, Sep. 1, Sacramento’s Guild Theater hosted the much-anticipated premiere of the Essence of Black Girlhood, a documentary film produced and co-directed by Sacramento native Sade Ajayi and Shanalle Patterson in collaboration with the organization, Justice2Jobs and Black Zebra Productions.This short documentary stands out for its artistic and creative approach to a critical issue in the black community; the marginalization and adultification of black girls and the associated harm experienced because of it.Poet Shenia Coats hosts Everyday People Poetry open mics during the Essence of Black Girlhood Festival in Sacramento. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER“I grew up around black women and black girls my entire life. I was very cognizant and almost worried about the weight and the stereotypes of what black women go through, even as early childhood,” said Ajayi, whose personal experiences growing up as a Black girl in Sacramento heavily influenced the project.Throughout her life, she navigated a world that demanded perfection without room for vulnerability, and this deeply personal perspective shaped the direction of the documentary. Ajayi says the film is important because she continues to witness the harm experienced by Black girls due to societal perceptions and biases.Accompanying the screening...