The music legend, who turns 39 this month, has had a lasting influence on the recurring theme that unites much of her work is Blackness by honoring her culture and the African diaspora’s beauty, Beyoncé has pushed herself artistically and helped to change the way the media represents Black people.
Her leadership has resulted in landmark moments—she requested Vogue‘s first Black photographer, Tyler Mitchell, to shoot her September 2018 cover story, for example.
Beyoncé and stylist Zerina Ackers regularly incorporate Black designers’ work from across the diaspora. Beyonce’s wardrobe has always aligned with a message. The custom pieces she commissions for high profile performances often represent an overarching theme. Likewise, her headlining gig at the Global Citizen Festival in South Africa necessitated a queenly collaboration from local designers Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, Quiteria Kekana, and George Malelu, who came together to create her finale look, an embellished emerald cape.
This month she announced that she would be continuing her collaboration with the NAACP to help entrepreneurs who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic underscores her commitment to supporting Black talent.