MOTHER LOVES

Written by Amaka Onuegbu

So here's the tea: To honor Juneteenth, we co-hosted an event with Tea Party 4 Black Girls along with Black Girl Environmentalist at Black-owned L.A. restaurant Malibu Farm. Aligning with the mission of TP4BG, we were able to create a space for Black women from all walks of life to share their journeys and empower each other. It was a beautiful experience to see these amazing Black women come together to bond over a meal, be heard, laugh, create and feel support within their community. The event celebrated the beauty and resilience of Black womanhood, and it was an honor for MOTHER to support and uplift such a remarkable gathering.

At the event, we sat down with Tea Party 4 Black Girls Co-Founder Bianka Gravillis to discuss the importance of the organization’s work and got personal with some questions about herself.

Bianka Gravillis & Helene Henderson

Finish the sentence: Black is beautiful because…

…Because it fuckin’ is.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind creating The Tea Party 4 Black Girls?

Tea Party 4 Black Girls was created as a safe space for Black women to get to know each other and themselves and develop tools to do so. As a Black girl I’ve often felt unseen, discarded and the pressure to work harder yet expect less. I've come to the realization that it’s not okay anymore, and that's not the standard I will hold myself to. Therefore, I’m on a mission to create a new precedent for Black women to be taken care of, supported and seen, and ensure their value is top of mind for brands and society.

What is your biggest take away from every event?

How needed this safe space is and what an honor it is to play a part in it. It’s so fulfilling to leave every event and the guest's biggest complaint is that it's over. They leave feeling taken care of and that feeling is irreplaceable.

What’s your favorite cuss word?

Shit, I don’t know.

Lexi Davis

Who would be your dream guest at a tea party?

Omg, Zendaya. I hope she is doing well and has found safe spaces while navigating the entertainment industry. I would want her at a tea party so she could experience the ample Black women that would accept her and give her the space to feel seen.

Chelsea Woodfolk, Amaka Onuegbu, Chelsea Jordan

How do you celebrate Juneteenth and what does it mean to you?

I celebrate the liberation of Black people everyday as much as I acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done in our communiTEA. I think stepping into our true selves, embracing Black people and how far we have come, and celebrating that together is what that day means to me.

Milan Dixon

Why is it important to gather together Black women from different backgrounds and experiences to sit down at a table and talk?

Because we are all different and have so much to offer one another, so creating safe spaces to do so is at the heart of that. We all deserve a space to be ourselves, to express what we are experiencing as Black women across the globe. We can guide each other with similar experiences and support each other as we continue to learn the vast differences in our upbringings and acceptance of each other.

If The Tea Party 4 Black Girls could describe themselves with one cuss word what would it be?

Fuckin’ fly.

How can non-Black individuals and organizations support the work that you're doing?

Donate! Showcase your allyship through fiscal and product donations. We are always grateful to see an individual or a brand's contribution and dedication to Black women – we don't see it nearly often enough.

What's your favorite inspirational quote or affirmation?

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” Steve Jobs.

Amaka Onuegbu & Bianka Gravillis

Who's your biggest role model and why?

This one has been hard for me but the work Evelynn Escobar, Raven B. Verona, Emma Grede and Hannah Bronfman are doing for women of color is extremely inspirational. They are a constant reminder to keep going and that building something important is hard work but so worth it.

What was one of the favorite topics from the event?

How we can be better at using waste at home, for example purchasing reusable towels and to begin growing your own herbs and veggies on your windowsill.

Lexi Davis & Chelsea Jordan

What was your favorite moment from the event?

My favorite part was healing my inner child and making my own necklace out of sustainable sea glass sourced by Lexi Davis. Also picking which potpourri I was going to take home by @yellowflowerpinkcake.

Learning from and giving black women a safe space is important to promote equality, empower self-expression, address intersectionality, challenge biases, support mental health, and foster diversity. It is a necessary step toward building a more inclusive and equitable society where all individuals can thrive.

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