@nailakeletamae.bsky.social
Artist, scholar, Principal Investigator of Black And Free, Associate Prof, University of Waterloo.
https://linktr.ee/nailakeletamae
https://linktr.ee/nailakeletamae
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Hi everyone, I’m Naila! I’m excited to introduce myself and my work. In 2017, I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to thinking about Blackness and freedom—and that’s how my project, Black And Free, began. Looking forward to sharing the insights and initiatives from this 5-yr artistic experience!
Chicago-based artist Simone Leigh’s massive sculpture Brickhouse (2020) thinks through space by refusing silencing and fragility through the demanding attention in much the same way that Black womxn’s activism has taken the street and altered the city scape.
#SimoneLeigh #BrickHouse #Sculpture
#SimoneLeigh #BrickHouse #Sculpture
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Chicago-based artist Simone Leigh’s massive sculpture Brickhouse (2020) thinks through space by refusing silencing and fragility through the demanding attention in much the same way that Black womxn’s activism has taken the street and altered the city scape.
#SimoneLeigh #BrickHouse #Sculpture
#SimoneLeigh #BrickHouse #Sculpture
Gizzada has always had a sentimental value to me. The recipe was shared with me by an elder that I respect, and I recited it as it was told to me in the short film Gizzada (2024) that i created in collaboration with Aljumaine Gayle.
January 26, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Gizzada has always had a sentimental value to me. The recipe was shared with me by an elder that I respect, and I recited it as it was told to me in the short film Gizzada (2024) that i created in collaboration with Aljumaine Gayle.
That’s a wrap! 🎬 Throw back to when recording, mixing, and mastering are officially complete. I’m beyond grateful for the incredible people I got to work with on this — your talent, energy, and support brought this project to life. Couldn’t have done it without you. 🎶✨
January 23, 2026 at 5:04 PM
That’s a wrap! 🎬 Throw back to when recording, mixing, and mastering are officially complete. I’m beyond grateful for the incredible people I got to work with on this — your talent, energy, and support brought this project to life. Couldn’t have done it without you. 🎶✨
Wash Day (2018) is an award-winning ten-minute short documentary by filmmaker Kourtney Jackson that closely follows the attention to detail and manual dexterity required to execute acts of wetting, rubbing, oiling, greasing, brushing, combing, parting, waving, twisting, plating, braiding, & locking.
January 21, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Wash Day (2018) is an award-winning ten-minute short documentary by filmmaker Kourtney Jackson that closely follows the attention to detail and manual dexterity required to execute acts of wetting, rubbing, oiling, greasing, brushing, combing, parting, waving, twisting, plating, braiding, & locking.
Thank you Euro Indie Music for the feature!
Check out the link to see the full interview: euroindiemusic.info/2025/12/30/c...
Check out the link to see the full interview: euroindiemusic.info/2025/12/30/c...
January 20, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Thank you Euro Indie Music for the feature!
Check out the link to see the full interview: euroindiemusic.info/2025/12/30/c...
Check out the link to see the full interview: euroindiemusic.info/2025/12/30/c...
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 1st, 1981
#PrinceKlaas #AntiguaandBarbuda #Independence #SlaveryAbolition #SlaveRevolts #BlackAndFree
#PrinceKlaas #AntiguaandBarbuda #Independence #SlaveryAbolition #SlaveRevolts #BlackAndFree
January 19, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 1st, 1981
#PrinceKlaas #AntiguaandBarbuda #Independence #SlaveryAbolition #SlaveRevolts #BlackAndFree
#PrinceKlaas #AntiguaandBarbuda #Independence #SlaveryAbolition #SlaveRevolts #BlackAndFree
Throwback to November 2024 when we were recording Grateful at @redtubestudio! Here is a reel of awesome keyboardist Joey Shanahan bringing the vibes. This is the second album of my mine that Joey's played on - so grateful for this collaboration.
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace
January 16, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Throwback to November 2024 when we were recording Grateful at @redtubestudio! Here is a reel of awesome keyboardist Joey Shanahan bringing the vibes. This is the second album of my mine that Joey's played on - so grateful for this collaboration.
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace
Created in collaboration with Aljumaine Gayle, Her Flowers (2024) features a series of images from National Heroes Park in Kingston, Jamaica and my reflections on gratitude, love and community.
January 14, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Created in collaboration with Aljumaine Gayle, Her Flowers (2024) features a series of images from National Heroes Park in Kingston, Jamaica and my reflections on gratitude, love and community.
Toronto-based sculptor Charmaine Lurch’s multidimensional sculpture “Revisiting Sycorax” was part of her exhibition Conversations in Flux: Visible Presence Unfolding in Time and Space, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery, October 2015.
#CharmaineLurch #wire #sculpture #BlackArtists
#CharmaineLurch #wire #sculpture #BlackArtists
January 12, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Toronto-based sculptor Charmaine Lurch’s multidimensional sculpture “Revisiting Sycorax” was part of her exhibition Conversations in Flux: Visible Presence Unfolding in Time and Space, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery, October 2015.
#CharmaineLurch #wire #sculpture #BlackArtists
#CharmaineLurch #wire #sculpture #BlackArtists
Feeling grateful and proud! Thank you for streaming, sharing, and believing 🙏✨ The lyrics reflect and incorporate my research so hearing that my album was #1 on CJSR 88.5 means the world. Absolutely thrilled. ❤️🎶 #Grateful
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace #Musicforlife #Musicmaker
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace #Musicforlife #Musicmaker
January 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Feeling grateful and proud! Thank you for streaming, sharing, and believing 🙏✨ The lyrics reflect and incorporate my research so hearing that my album was #1 on CJSR 88.5 means the world. Absolutely thrilled. ❤️🎶 #Grateful
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace #Musicforlife #Musicmaker
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #Artspace #Musicforlife #Musicmaker
Anthony is the first Black Canadian woman to write and produce a television show on a major prime time Canadian network. A television series version of 'Da Kink in My Hair began airing in 2007 and Anthony was a cast member before the show was cancelled in 2009.
January 7, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Anthony is the first Black Canadian woman to write and produce a television show on a major prime time Canadian network. A television series version of 'Da Kink in My Hair began airing in 2007 and Anthony was a cast member before the show was cancelled in 2009.
In 2024, I premiered four short films that I created with Toronto-based filmmaker Aljumaine Gayle. Black Cake (2024) is a film that I shot while visiting the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre and is a reflection on food, family, memory and diaspora.
#BlackCake #RumCake #Diaspora #culture #film
#BlackCake #RumCake #Diaspora #culture #film
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
In 2024, I premiered four short films that I created with Toronto-based filmmaker Aljumaine Gayle. Black Cake (2024) is a film that I shot while visiting the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre and is a reflection on food, family, memory and diaspora.
#BlackCake #RumCake #Diaspora #culture #film
#BlackCake #RumCake #Diaspora #culture #film
As 2025 is coming to a close, I would like to wish you all a happy holiday and joyous New Year. This is my final post of the year, and I look forward to connecting with you in 2026.
#HappyHolidays #HappyNewYear #BlackAndFree
#HappyHolidays #HappyNewYear #BlackAndFree
December 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
As 2025 is coming to a close, I would like to wish you all a happy holiday and joyous New Year. This is my final post of the year, and I look forward to connecting with you in 2026.
#HappyHolidays #HappyNewYear #BlackAndFree
#HappyHolidays #HappyNewYear #BlackAndFree
Check out the evolution of the Black and Free logo! It had quite the shift over the years. The original logo was inspired by West African textiles and patterns, while the new logo is a more modern take on Blackness and Freedom.
#graphicdesign #logo #art #design
#graphicdesign #logo #art #design
December 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Check out the evolution of the Black and Free logo! It had quite the shift over the years. The original logo was inspired by West African textiles and patterns, while the new logo is a more modern take on Blackness and Freedom.
#graphicdesign #logo #art #design
#graphicdesign #logo #art #design
Throwback to when my, now not so little, Ruby could fit in this bed! I can't believe how much she has grown!
#DogsofInstagram #puppy #GoldenLab #BlackAndFree
#DogsofInstagram #puppy #GoldenLab #BlackAndFree
December 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Throwback to when my, now not so little, Ruby could fit in this bed! I can't believe how much she has grown!
#DogsofInstagram #puppy #GoldenLab #BlackAndFree
#DogsofInstagram #puppy #GoldenLab #BlackAndFree
Reflecting on the Black And Free typeface as I think about communication today.. I had so much fun creating this font with Tafui and Studio Otherness! It was created with so much intention and care.
#typeface #graphicdesign #font #BlackAndFree
#typeface #graphicdesign #font #BlackAndFree
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reflecting on the Black And Free typeface as I think about communication today.. I had so much fun creating this font with Tafui and Studio Otherness! It was created with so much intention and care.
#typeface #graphicdesign #font #BlackAndFree
#typeface #graphicdesign #font #BlackAndFree
On November 3rd, 1978, Dominica achieved independence from the United Kingdom
December 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
On November 3rd, 1978, Dominica achieved independence from the United Kingdom
Around this time last year, I was in studio recording my album Grateful and I'm certainly still that - grateful to have had the opportunity to make it and that it is being so well received. Thank you for your support.
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #IndieMusic #IndieMusician
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #IndieMusic #IndieMusician
December 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Around this time last year, I was in studio recording my album Grateful and I'm certainly still that - grateful to have had the opportunity to make it and that it is being so well received. Thank you for your support.
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #IndieMusic #IndieMusician
#BlackAndFree #Music #Black #Artist #IndieMusic #IndieMusician
I love dancehall music. I love the traditions of dancehall music that are deeply connected to and invested in articulating social, cultural, political challenges and offering a perspective on it that is most often and arguably effectively tied to imagining and articulating another way forward.
November 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I love dancehall music. I love the traditions of dancehall music that are deeply connected to and invested in articulating social, cultural, political challenges and offering a perspective on it that is most often and arguably effectively tied to imagining and articulating another way forward.
Barbados gained its independence from the United Kingdom on November 30, 1966
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Barbados gained its independence from the United Kingdom on November 30, 1966
After being in the studio again, I was feeling deeply grateful that I was able to make music again. As I was making tweaks, I rewrote the lyrics to “I will be grateful for today” so that it could be said as a hope, a declaration and a prayer.
October 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
After being in the studio again, I was feeling deeply grateful that I was able to make music again. As I was making tweaks, I rewrote the lyrics to “I will be grateful for today” so that it could be said as a hope, a declaration and a prayer.
While researching Black designers, my undergraduate research assistants came across the award-winning deisgn work of Lani Adeoye. She has a specialization in African-based interior architecture and is the founder of Studio Lanie!
October 29, 2025 at 4:07 PM
While researching Black designers, my undergraduate research assistants came across the award-winning deisgn work of Lani Adeoye. She has a specialization in African-based interior architecture and is the founder of Studio Lanie!
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gained its independence from the United Kingdom on October 27th, 1975.
October 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gained its independence from the United Kingdom on October 27th, 1975.
I was very tired at the airport that evening and so energized at the same time. The attentiveness required while you're in studio, the amount of decisions that need to be made quickly. I felt and feel good about these songs and I hope that they connect with you. Please search Naila Grateful Album
October 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I was very tired at the airport that evening and so energized at the same time. The attentiveness required while you're in studio, the amount of decisions that need to be made quickly. I felt and feel good about these songs and I hope that they connect with you. Please search Naila Grateful Album
Professor Ronald Cummings examines "how hegemonic masculinity is situated in relation to other masculinities and in particular how it is related, yet often defined in contrast to, female masculinities."
October 22, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Professor Ronald Cummings examines "how hegemonic masculinity is situated in relation to other masculinities and in particular how it is related, yet often defined in contrast to, female masculinities."