GIVE THEM
THEIR FLOWERS
![halftone_flower54 1 [Vectorized].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b7cb50_42663a78d1c649cc80d6ca33a23a05cf~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_21,w_398,h_395/fill/w_462,h_458,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/b7cb50_42663a78d1c649cc80d6ca33a23a05cf~mv2.png)
Give Them Their Flowers is a continent-wide cultural and storytelling campaign centering those whose lives exist beyond colonial frameworks of identity. This initiative is a deliberate act of gratitude and public recognition for those who sustain the fabric of our communities.
The campaign recognizes that mental health is inseparable from social dignity, proving that community affirmation is a vital tool for collective resilience. By naming those who have protected us and honoring the institutions that refuse to let our presence be silenced, we craft a model of societal inclusion that is framed entirely by the people it represents. We are building a living archive to ensure that the courage of our community is acknowledged while we are still here to witness it.
Open Call For Writers
In partnership with Minority Africa, we invite writers to participate in an intentional act of remembrance. We are looking for original essays of 500 to 1,000 words that move beyond documentation to serve as a form of cultural production.
Focus Areas
Writers should focus their essays on one of the following two areas:
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Reporting and Testimony: Documenting the work of advocates, collectives, or everyday people involved in the socio-political struggle for safety and rights.
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Personal Narrative: Sharing stories of moments when an individual or group offered protection and care during periods of exclusion or persecution.
Requirements and Ethics
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Eligibility: Open to writers of African descent based on the continent and in the diaspora.
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Images: All submissions must include a high-quality image of the individual or collective being honored. To ensure safety and creative cohesion, all images will be converted into illustrations for the final publication.
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Consent: Writers are required to obtain informed consent when documenting known personas or public events.
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Honorarium: Selected writers will receive an honorarium in recognition of their labor and contribution to the archive.
Writer Timeline
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Submission Window: May 15 – May 31, 2026.
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Publication: Selected works will be published in June in partnership with Minority Africa.