“Our diaspora began over 400 years ago, when our ancestors farmed this land for the profit of others. They watered this land as their stories evaporated. The African-American diaspora is a story of extreme adversity and resilience. It is of overcoming, of persisting, of thriving, and reclaiming the stories of our ancestors. There is no better time than now to celebrate our beauty and our power; to let the seeds planted eons ago bloom and flourish. ” -Diaspora Farms

In celebration of Black History Month, I was commissioned by Diaspora Farms, a Black-owned hemp and CBD company to create a series of 28 portraits paying homage to significant and iconic figures through time. The individuals illustrated consist of legends and pioneers in every right. Each has made an immeasurable impact on not only Black History and the African-American experience, but also towards the history of humanity as a whole. The list of individuals we celebrated ranged from government officials, writers, actors to war heroes. The brand itself is based on the iconic and legendary African American samurai – Yasuke. “It is unsure how a seed from the African Diaspora became rooted in a far land East of his origins. As some would imagine correctly, his beginnings were at the lowest caste. He was the first of his kind. An African Samurai—Yasuke. Far from myth, the enduring and epochal legend of Yasuke has been proudly chosen to be featured as the first Diaspora Farms hero. As we launch proudly into an unknown and incredible journey, we find ourselves stewards of Yasuke’s legend.” -Diaspora Farms

To proudly present the brands’ black-owned roots, the decision to create social media posts along with an online gallery showcasing these individuals was taken. Along with the illustrations of these legends, articles were listed to further inform the viewer about the individual’s contribution. The brand’s mission is to erase the stigma of how cannabis is perceived and to help foster a world where no person is treated differently due to cannabis.