The Black Flamingo

by Dean Atta

“I give thanks to Adam Lowe, Ajamu X, Alice Walker, Alicia Garza, Alvin Ailey, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Bayard Rustin, Bessie Smith, Big Freedia, Billie Holiday, Campbell X, Carl Phillips, Chardine Taylor Stone, Danez Smith, Dionne Brand, Diriye Osman, Don Shirley, Dorothea Smartt, Essex Hemphill, Frank Ocean, Gina Yashere, Jackie Kay, Jacob V Joyce, Jacqueline Woodson, James Baldwin, Janelle Monáe, Janet Mock, Jay Bernard, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jericho Brown, Josephine Baker, June Jordan, Kayza Rose, Kei Miller, Keith Jarrett, Kele Okereke, KUCHENGA, Labi Siffre, Lady Phyll, Langston Hughes, Lasana Shabazz, Laverne Cox, Le Gateau Chocolat, Lorraine Hansberry, Ma Rainey, Marsha P. Johnson, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mia McKenzie, MNEK, Munroe Bergdorf, Mykki Blanco, Mzz Kimberley, Nikki Giovanni, Octavia E. Butler, Opal Tometi, Patrik-Ian Polk, Patrisse Cullors, Paula Varjack, Rhys Hollis, Rikki Beadle-Blair, Roxane Gay, RuPaul, Rudy Loewe, Saeed Jones, Samira Wiley, Sapphire, Skin, Staceyann Chin, Stephen K. Amos, Syd, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Thomas Glave, Topher Campbell, Tracy Chapman, Travis Alabanza, Wanda Sykes, Yrsa Daley-Ward, and of course our very own ‘Em-zed-zed, you can call me Mzz B!’ Your art and activism have inspired me to stand on this stage and feel free.”