The Black Zine Fair presents...

Radical Publishing is Radical Healing: Zines as Mental and Heart Medicine

In today’s society, people (especially Black and Brown people) are made to believe self-care is earned and should be commoditized. If we indulge, we run the risk of guilt and shame. The patriarchy, big pharma, the prison industrial complex, and capitalism are systems that play a role in and benefit from this oppressive thought pattern. We are made to believe we should be silent about our pain and trauma. This leads to both communal and self-policing in times when we should be speaking out. We are made to believe that we can heal in isolation, yet often, isolation leads to greater pain and depression. Zines are tools for healing and coping with life experiences. They help crafters give their pain words and unload them onto paper. Beyond being an intimate art form, these works help the creator process, which leads to radical acceptance, radical forgiveness, and heart-tending in a society that places barriers on our access to healing. This workshop will show participants the benefits of self-publishing zines as a form of radical self-care.

Meet the workshop facilitator

Unblushing Media promotes vulnerability as a strength and community builder. We encourage our audience to "unblush" and release shame through personal storytelling. The brand started with “Unblushing,” an interactive zine made in the summer of 2016 by founder Darriea Clark, and is now a multi-title independent publishing company that produces zines, books, and magazines. Our notable titles include Good Girl, Lady + the Smut, and Dear Diary.

Make a donation

The Black Zine Fair is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. We suggest a donation between $5-20 depending on your financial ability. We encourage established professionals and people with intergenerational wealth/savings to consider donating more or becoming sustaining members.

The fair is organized by Sojourners for Justice Press co-directors Neta Bomani and Mariame Kaba. We’re committed to creating a free platform for Black zine makers who otherwise wouldn’t have access to zine/art/book fairs and festivals. We rely primarily on individual donors to fund and sustain our work. Thank you for your support!

Accessibility information

Zoom, the online video conferencing platform where virtual workshops for the Black Zine Fair take place, will include live captioning and scheduled breaks.

Learn more

The Black Zine Fair is a celebration of all things Black and independent publishing in New York City! We invite Black exhibitors and educators to gather, trade or sell zines, and exchange knowledge surrounding zine-making, publishing, and do-it-yourself culture. The fair takes place virtually and in-person from April 13 to May 11. Visit our website and instagram to learn more.