‘Wash Day’ — A Comic Paying Tribute to Black Hair Now Live on Kickstarter

As BNP’s supporter of Kickstarter projects and lover of comics and Black women — because Black women are everything — Wash Day looked to be something I would throw money at. The synopsis: “Wash Day is a slice-of-life comic that pays tribute to the beauty and endurance of Black women and their hair.” And with a creative team of Black women, I was ready to stand up on a my soapbox and holler. I’m always looking to be invested in stories about us by us. #FUBU. I’m also here to see more women of color, especially Black women, crafting their own stories about their lived experiences. What’s Wash Day About?

The 27-page story was written by Jamila Rowser and illustrated by Robyn Smith, with script edits by J.A. Micheline. It follows Kimana, a 26-year-old woman living in the Bronx, as she cares for her long, thick hair. As Kim goes through her Sunday morning rituals, readers experience the highs and lows of her day — fresh coffee, rising rent, girl talk and catcalls. The Creative Team This creative team includes BNP fave Jamila Roswer from nerd projects like the hip hop x geek project Straight Outta Gotham. Roswer is also a co-founder of the international meetup group Geek Girl Brunch. I’m unfamiliar with artist Robyn Smith yet with one look through her tumblr and I am a fan — Black girls and women are illustrated everywhere. She’s been featured on The Comics Journal list of The Best Short Form Comics of 2016 and on Pen America, which includes pages from her mini comic The Saddes…