dear black women & kennedy prints
a collaboration
Welcome DBWs!
It all began in early 2022…
I heard about a world renown artist living and creating in Detroit.
His name is Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. and he is a Black letterpress printer said to be an icon in the space for nearly 40 years.
Yet, I didn’t know a thing about him, and I imagine you may not have either.
Curious, I sent him a letter in the mail. What ensued has been nearly 3 years of friendship.
There is much to celebrate in Amos’ career — his work featured in the Library of Congress, Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York Times; or his new book Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr: Citizen Printer — but what moves me the most is that:
Amos agitates for justice.
He prints powerful, thought provoking and hilarious messages for the masses and finds ways to get those messages in our hands.
So here you are at Amos’ first ever online sale and Dear Black Women 2.0’s first collaboration!
I have curated 100+ one of a kind prints by Amos, guided by visions of our collective liberation, love, truth telling, and laughter — the perfect recipe for this experiment called Dear Black Women 2.0.
Find your new favorite art, get it in your hands and share it with those you love.
And, always, as Amos says and does, Proceed and Be Bold,
Dear Black Women Founder
Where would you like to start?
Click on any section or keep scrolling to enjoy all!
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BLACK WOMEN!
Hear the voices of our Sister Ancestors as they speak with truth and wisdom.
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African PROVERBS
Wise words from the Mother Land to our hearts, minds and spirits.
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ANCESTORS SPEAK!
Those who came before us walk with us if we are quiet and listen.
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Collector Series
This is for the collectors. Those of us who want full sets of beautiful things.
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WE ARE NATURE
We don’t need to “save the Earth”. We need to save ourselves by reconnecting with the Earth.
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PEACE PEACE
Consider, with our greats, the texture and depth of true peace. Be inspired to reach for it.
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LIVE YO LIFE!
Affirmations, encouragement and jokes that remind you to savor this life and LIVE!
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Freedom Fight
The fight for our collective freedom continues. This section both grounds and galvanizes us.
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TALK YO SH!T
Be forewarned: This section is for you when you need to say it straight, no chaser.
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Southern As...
Like Andre 3000 said, “The South Got Something To Say!”
“I print for the glory of my peoples!
Understand that my very existence is protest. The existence of Black people in America is an act of protest, of survival. We were supposed to be used up and replaced. Everything I do is a manifestation of that protest. Understand that my connection with the universe is most present in the printshop — that my deep love of printing for the masses has led me to a deep connection with ALL.”
Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., “My Manifesto” in Amos paul kennedy, jr.: citizen Printer
BLACK WOMEN SPEAK!
Hear the voices of our Sister Ancestors as they speak with truth and wisdom. | back to all categories
AFRICAN PROVERBS
Wise words from the Mother Land straight to our hearts, minds and spirits. This section brings us home. | back to all categories
ANCESTORS SPEAK!
Those who came before us walk with us and hold our hands if we are quiet and listen. In this section, we hear their voices. | back to all categories
COLLECTOR SERIES
This section is for the collectors. Those of us who want full sets of life’s beautiful things. | back to all categories
“I print for the glory of my peoples!
Throughout history, the printer has had to choose to either resist or assist in the marginalization of knowledge. I made the choice: I RESIST. I print POSTERS for the MASSES.”
Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., “My Manifesto” in Amos paul kennedy, jr.: citizen Printer
WE ARE NATURE
This sections reminds us that we don’t need to “save the Earth”. We need to save ourselves by reconnecting with the Earth. | back to all categories
PEACE, PEACE & MO' PEACE
Consider, with many of our greats, the texture and depth of true peace. This section inspires us to reach for it. | back to all categories
LIVE YO LIFE!
This sections delivers affirmations, encouragement and jokes that remind you to savor this life and LIVE! | back to all categories
OUR FREEDOM FIGHT
The fight for our collective freedom continues. This section reminds us, grounds us and galvanizes us. | back to all categories
“I try to print a world into existence that is as welcoming and nurturing as the universe is to me, and I urge others to agitate, agitate for a world that is welcoming and nurturing to them.
I print for the glory of my peoples!”
Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., “My Manifesto” in Amos paul kennedy, jr.: citizen Printer
TALK YO SH!T
Be forewarned: This section is for you when you need to say it straight, no chaser. | back to all categories
SOUTHERN AS
Like Andre 3000 said, “The South Got Something To Say!” Rep yo set and celebrate the deliciousness of the South! | back to all categories
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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All orders will be shipped within 1 - 2 week of your order. You will receive it an additional 3 - 5 business days from there.
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Subscribe to our News (You Actually Want to Receive) Letter below!
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We love this question! Amos is has a masterpiece of a book that chronicles his journey in letter press printing. It's called Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.: Citizen Printer.
Also, you can check out the documentary on his life called "Proceed and Be Bold".