Variations in Black
This poem about Black identity is inspired by Lauren K. Alleyne's "Variations in Blue."
Variations in
Small brown house, large
green door: Summer,
Concrete porch steps that
housed rollie pollies during
their leisure hours.
Rolling hills of green grass,
we loved to play with sticks of
varying lengths.
Smell the flowers, the trees—
Young Black children rolling
on skates, feeling free. My
sister; Zee, a tiny, turbulent
thing,
The Moxie to my Calm. See
Lannitra, Lee to some, and
Mommy to us. Her short Black hair and purple capris,
singing along to Michael
Jackson playing from the
open car door.
Shiloh, a baby then, his frail
right wrist wrapped in a white
cast.
His toothless grin widens as
Granny holds him. Daddy’s on
the way home from North
Carolina, his wide smile and
unusual cologne I loved to
smell.
Papa holding his camera,
Black and flashing. We begin
to see colors in our eyes, like
the ones we get when we
stare too long into the sun.
Then there’s me,
Eden: my denim shorts and
shy, quiet demeanor. But not
when I was singing,
Memorized Disney tunes and
feeling like a princess.
When I go to sleep, I’m on
Broadway,
a big-time actress, flowing
Black dress adorned with
sequins.
Loved by all, hated by none,
I am safe.
But when I wake up, it’s ten years later and
All I find is that I’m silent. Silenced.
Dark-skinned black girls like me are senselessly murdered
And prime suspects are let off without even a warning.
It is not safe for anyone who matches the color of my
Black skin.
— Eden Turner, intern at Savannah Morning News
Follow me on Twitter at @ejturner02 or email me at ejturner@gannett.com
Pulse of the 912
As the founder and owner of sneaker shop HallofSneakz, it might be remiss not to call Whitney Hall Savannah's resident sneaker queen. With her love of sneakers and her determination to make sure customers walk out of her shop feeling satisfied, the promise of exclusive releases is just one reason the entrepreneur is continuously leveling up.
Laura Nwogu: You've talked about your love of sneakers and that it started when you were younger, especially looking up to your brother who had all the new Jordan releases. What do you think it was — and still is — about sneakers that gripped you?
Whitney Hall: "You know, it's the engaging with people. It's the relationships that you build. Definitely the shoes, of course. Style. But I mean, it becomes more so a family-type thing. Growing up — they don't do it so much now — but camping outside of stores, you learn about people, their families. It's not everything about sneakers, but sneakers kind of bring everybody together."
LN: And when did that love for sneakers turn into, ‘Oh, this can be a possible business venture. I can do this as a living?’
WH: "As a child, I've always been into sneakers, so that's something that I was known for. Everybody kind of came to me with, ‘All right, when are these coming out?’ Or if I had a pair of sneakers that weren't out yet, they’re like, ‘Hey, where'd you get them?’ At first, I was getting an extra pair and I would give it to my friends who couldn't get them. And then, after that, I went to college and it blew up because everybody wants a pair of fresh sneakers. I got the access and then it took off from there."
LN: You're not only an entrepreneur in Savannah but a Black woman entrepreneur. Your storefront also opened in Savannah last August. What has it been like for you to see the growth of your business?
WH: "It's very fulfilling. Who would have thought that HallofSneakz would even have a brick-and-mortar location? I started out of my trunk before the website, and then I got the website. E-commerce has been great, but with the brick-and-mortar, it's in addition, so it's taking it to the next level. We’re still growing, so it's much more to see."
LN: And with HallofSneaks, you have the most-hyped sneakers, the most exclusive. How do you make sure that people have access to that? How does that work?
WH: “It’s about the whole experience. That's what I strive for at HallofSneakz. I make sure I have various sizes. In the event that I don't have their size or the particular shoe that they want, we can order, which is called a Sneakz Special. We can order any authentic colorway that’s been released. If you don’t see it, we can definitely always ship it to you, or you can do in-store pickup. For me, it's more so about the experience. So, learning that person’s size, knowing what they like, what styles, what colors, so that way when they come in-store, or we engage online, I can already have things in mind that I can tell you. ‘Hey, I have this in store. You’ll probably like this.’
LN: Sneakers have been a big part of Black culture for decades. Why do you think it’s stood the test of time and become such a cultural icon, especially when you look at things like sneakerheads and the rise of resellers?
WH: "Sneakers have been around since the 19th century. One of the main reasons it has stood the test of time is because sneakers relate to one’s social identity. It’s a way you connect to one another. The rise of resellers will happen more and more with it being a very lucrative market. It’s a billion-dollar business. The passion for sneakers will continue to grow."
LN: Do you have a personal favorite sneaker?
WH: "Yeah, I actually have them up in the shop. It’s the Bred 11s and then the Bred 4s with the Nike Air on the back. Those are my two favorite silhouettes and colorways."
LN: We know February is Black History Month. What does it personally mean for you to be Black in Savannah?
WH: "I mean, it's being an example. Seeing yourself. If you don't see people like you that are doing it, you kind of doubt it a little. For me, being a staple Black-owned, women-owned business in Savannah, it's important because I got nieces and I have a new daughter; she's two months old. I want to give them something to look up to."
LN: Definitely. And what can we look forward to from HallofSneakz in 2022?
WH: "More sneakers. Definitely more events. We kind of want to do some more community stuff. I'm working on this program for women entrepreneurs coming up. Trying to start this program for the ladies, so that way we can set things up, teach them about marketing, saving their money, investing, just getting started, LLC. Stuff like that."
LN: That sounds wonderful. Is that still in the planning process?
WH: "Yeah, it’s still in the planning process? Hopefully to get it up and going by spring. We’ll see."
LN: Final and favorite question: Why do you love the 912?
WH: "I love Savannah. This is what raised me. Born and raised here. I am Savannah. I've seen things evolve, change. Now I'm a part of the change."
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Art of The 912
The 912 newsletter will highlight a local Black artist every two months as the header image for the weekly issue. This month's artist is Calvin Woodum.
Follow Woodum on Instagram and Facebook:
Instagram: @woodum469 @calwoodart
Facebook: @calwoodart
Stories of the 912
1: Black business owners at Mailbox Cafe fuel locals with new coffee shop
Mailbox Cafe, a one-stop-shop mailing and shipping service in Savannah, has opened a new Black-owned coffee shop, continuing to keep the building entirely Black-owned.
2: New TV show 'Foodie Road Trip' hits the road and makes stops at 5 Tybee Island restaurants
A road trip isn’t complete without the much-needed hunker down at a local food spot, and Atlanta food expert Skye Estroff is doing just that as the host of her new TV show “Foodie Road Trip.”
On the itinerary are five Tybee Island restaurants: Huc-a-poos, North Beach Grill, Salt Island, Savannah Praline Company and Stingray's.
3: Elder J.E. Taylor made history as the first Black assistant principal at Jenkins High School
The year was 1971 and H.V. Jenkins High School was preparing to integrate its school, but that process wasn't easy. White parents shouted racial slurs at Black students as they entered the building, while once inside, fights were common.
But, Elder J.E. Taylor emerged to help calm racial tensions and provide stability during a tumultuous time in Savannah's history.
4: Savannah Doll Show at the Beach Institute asks you to explore meaning of our history
What do dolls mean to you?
It’s the question that curator and handmade doll maker Aiysha Sinclair is asking visitors to the Savannah Doll Show, her thoughtful new exhibition at the Beach Institute.
5: Local group files appeal to halt Housing Authority's demolition of Yamacraw, Kayton Homes
A group of residents and local pastors has filed an appeal in state court to stop the demolition of Yamacraw Village and Herbert-Kayton Homes, federal public housing complexes managed by the Housing Authority of Savannah.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The 912: Variations in Black
