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Black Women Brick Portraits

Updated: Jan 5



Blacklug and Women's Brick Initiative (WBI) with the Brick Alliance







PURPOSE


Black Women Portraits of Power is a celebration of Black Women past, and present, great and small.


This is the inaugural collaboration of Blacklug and WBI in our joint effort to inspire empathy, support intentional inclusivity, and empower mutual responsibility






INSPIRATION - CHELSEA PHAIRE & REBUILD THE WORLD




How Chelsea's tenth birthday changed thousand of children's lives


It all started on Chelsea Phaire's tenth birthday. Instead of getting gifts, Chelsea decided she wanted to give them. So, for her birthday, she asked her friends to gift her art supplies that she would then donate to a local shelter - Her friends responded, Chelsea donated the supplies, and 'Chelsea's Charity ' was born.


Since her first donation, Chelsea has continued to gather ate and crafts supplies, which she donated to foster homes, hospitals, shelters and schools.








Inspiration
Inspiration




INSPIRATION - SAMIRA WILEY


Samira Wiley on the experience of creative self-expression.


In her own words, Samira Wiley shares how building a self portrait empowered her to uncover and celebrate the pieces of her thats she's most proud of.


-Working with the Lego Team and master builder Casper Bennedsen, the process was incredibly meaningful and at times quite overwhelming, impacting me in ways I hadn't expected. Together we created a portrait that not only has my image, but also so many symbols that represent pivotal events, experiences and moments in my life; all the pieces that shaped my identity and made me the person I am today. My NYC mohawk is there, of course! Alongside the birth of my daughter, my marriage, the inspiring movie stars I saw on screen as a child, my tattoos, and my love of the stage to name a few .


"It was empowering to embrace my own character" - Samira Wiley





INSPIRATION - BRICK BAE BOOK COVER







INSPIRATION - YORUICHI SHIHOUIN (BLEACH) by WES 'WESBRIXX' ROYER


Yoruichi mosaic by wesbrixx
Yoruichi mosaic by wesbrixx

What makes contemporary Black female characters culturally significant is not just that they exist—but how they exist.


Strong examples move beyond:

  • Hypersexualisation

  • Comic relief

  • Background tokenism

Instead, they are shown as:

  • Strategists, fighters, leaders, thinkers

  • Emotionally complex without being reduced to trauma

  • Powerful without being dehumanised


Characters like Yoruichi Shihouin embody this shift—confident, intelligent, and influential, with authority that doesn’t need explanation.






How to Participate — Current Black Women Portraits


Current Black Women Portraits is an open, community-driven project celebrating Black women through creative portraiture. Participation is welcome from everyone.


You do not need to be Black or a woman to take part.

Create a portrait of:


  • A relative, friend, neighbour, or colleague

  • An educator, mentor, or community leader

  • A historical or contemporary Black woman who inspires you


Both everyday and well-known figures are equally valued.


Create With Intent


  • LEGO / brick-built portraits


Focus on respect, accuracy, and care in representation. Avoid stereotypes or caricature.



Credit & Consent


  • Credit yourself clearly as the creator

  • If portraying someone you know personally, ensure you have their consent




Submit & Share



  • By submitting a portrait you agree to:

    Permission to use photos with credit

    Permission to use studio files for rendering and/or creating a physical version of your portrait

    Permission to build and display your portrait with credit

    Permission to tag to your social media handles if they are shared



This project is about visibility, respect, and collective storytelling. Every contribution—quiet or bold—adds to a broader, more honest cultural record.




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