Ebony Tomatoes Collective

Ebony Tomatoes Collective is a literary and arts magazine for personal and political liberation—by a Black, intersectional collective.

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Fresh new pieces, hand-picked by our editors

Disruption on the Dancefloor: A Conversation with Black Queer DJs

As clubbing reimagines queer gatherings and serves as a powerful tool for collective action, it felt imperative to sit with Black queer DJs in New York City to probe the state of this cultural reformation.

by Binny Onabolu

Binny Onabolu (she/they) is a Nigerian immigrant who grew up partly in Houston, partly in Minnesota and is now doing a lot of growing and glowing in New York. Her favorite author is no other than Audre Lorde, her favorite essay by her being “the use of the erotic.” They love to do anything that involves their hands, ranging from giving themself a head massage to lifting weights to cooking for themself and loved ones. Catch her outside—literally because they love nature hikes and the sun—taking it one day at a time. They can be reached at [email protected].

In Loving Color: How it Feels to Love a Black Dyke

 The idea of falling in love with another Black lesbian was sacred to me. It meant locking into love without compromising my identity or over-explaining my existence, defying the media’s heteronormative portrayal of “Black love.”

By Cheyenne Edwards

Cheyenne Edwards (they/she) is a screenwriter & narrative storyteller. Cheyenne’s artistry builds on the undisputed principle that representation matters, but dares to take things a step further by putting their Black and queer—often lesbian-identified—characters in audacious situations bolstered by the sharp, ironic humor of their generation. Her chosen mediums include screenplays, film, essays, and video essays. She can be reached on Instagram/Twitter @afroauteur or via email at [email protected].

 

A Nostalgic Nightmare, a Democratic Dream on Hold

As I begin to contemplate the beginning of this story, I realize that there isn’t one, or maybe not one I can exactly define I envision a string of hope that is formulated out of the abyss constantly cut off and weaved again like…

by Yumna Elhdari

Yumna (she/her) is a Sudanese writer, editor, creative and co-founder of Ebony Tomatoes Collective. She carries a soulful love and appreciation for storytelling through which she creates worlds that embrace marginalized voices and perspectives. Yumna is currently based in Texas and can be reached through either her email [email protected] or her Instagram @Yumnaelhdari.

featured articles

Fresh new pieces, hand-picked by our editors

Disruption on the Dancefloor: A Conversation with Black Queer DJs

As clubbing reimagines queer gatherings and serves as a powerful tool for collective action, it felt imperative to sit with Black queer DJs in New York City to probe the state of this cultural reformation.

by Binny Onabolu

Binny Onabolu (she/they) is a Nigerian immigrant who grew up partly in Houston, partly in Minnesota and is now doing a lot of growing and glowing in New York. Her favorite author is no other than Audre Lorde, her favorite essay by her being “the use of the erotic.” They love to do anything that involves their hands, ranging from giving themself a head massage to lifting weights to cooking for themself and loved ones. Catch her outside—literally because they love nature hikes and the sun—taking it one day at a time. They can be reached at [email protected].

In Loving Color: How it Feels to Love a Black Dyke

 The idea of falling in love with another Black lesbian was sacred to me. It meant locking into love without compromising my identity or over-explaining my existence, defying the media’s heteronormative portrayal of “Black love.”

By Cheyenne Edwards

Cheyenne Edwards (they/she) is a screenwriter & narrative storyteller. Cheyenne’s artistry builds on the undisputed principle that representation matters, but dares to take things a step further by putting their Black and queer—often lesbian-identified—characters in audacious situations bolstered by the sharp, ironic humor of their generation. Her chosen mediums include screenplays, film, essays, and video essays. She can be reached on Instagram/Twitter @afroauteur or via email at [email protected].

 

A Nostalgic Nightmare, a Democratic Dream on Hold

As I begin to contemplate the beginning of this story, I realize that there isn’t one, or maybe not one I can exactly define I envision a string of hope that is formulated out of the abyss constantly cut off and weaved again like…

by Yumna Elhdari

Yumna (she/her) is a Sudanese writer, editor, creative and co-founder of Ebony Tomatoes Collective. She carries a soulful love and appreciation for storytelling through which she creates worlds that embrace marginalized voices and perspectives. Yumna is currently based in Texas and can be reached through either her email [email protected] or her Instagram @Yumnaelhdari.

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Against the Tide

Against the Tide: Community Care in the Collapse of Empire is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and resistance. Featuring essays and interviews with U.S.-based activists in the wake of the 2024 election, Against the Tide is a freedom cry and a call to action. Our editors went to The Free Black Women’s Library in Bed-Stuy, to enviornmental land trusts in New Mexico, to raves led by Black queer DJs, to non-profits in Texas, and beyond to connect with community leaders building a liberated future. Our 23rd issue reveals that oppression is not the end of our stories. With imagination and action, it is only the beginning.

Soul Food

Poem by Kendall Emphasis

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

Collective Altar

A spiritual path towards communal healing by Taj-Levi 

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

Ola Akinmowo and The Free Black Women’s Library

The transformative community power of one librarian and 100 books by Binny Onabolu

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

I Think I’m Going to Raise Hell: In the Depths of Texas with Denita Jones

Tracing the journey of a Texas community organizer by Yumna Elhdari

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

Lessons from a Lost Garden

The ongoing battle to bring fresh food to Atlanta’s West End by Imani Kriseé Herring

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

Disruption on the Dancefloor

A Conversation with Black Queer DJs by Binny Onabolu

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

Love Thy Neighbor, Honor Thy Land

A portrait of community leadership in the Southwest by Ava Pauline Emilione

Photo by Kendra Shiloh Russell

Beyond the Margin

This issue was created by an editorial team of Black lesbians with the intention to explore the expansiveness of our identities and pay homage to our ancestors. In a culture that is obsessed with placing Black people into limiting roles and stereotypes, Black queerness—more specifically Black lesbianism—is vastly underrepresented and misunderstood. It is our right to tell our stories, so if mainstream media and literature won’t represent us with respect and candor, we will create the space to do so ourselves. The issue you hold in your hands is one such space.

The Liberation Zine

As a grassroots literary and arts magazine by and for black creatives, this issue is a part of our effort to express solidarity with our comrades who are fighting to tell stories of our culture, suffering, and resistance. The magazine you are holding features work from black palestinian, sudanese, and american writers. these stories are as vulnerable as they are striking—revealing a rich black diaspora who has sustained hope, despite unspeakable suffering, for a liberated and just world.

The Village

The stories across the Black diaspora

The Self

The stories from within

The Lovers

The stories for those we love

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Editorial updates, watching and reading recommendations, calls for submissions, community events, and other Ebony Tomatoes musings—delivered straight to your inbox!

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