“nice & rough” film project is highlighting and celebrating black women in rock

Black women rock. In the most figurative interpretation of this phrase, I’m sure you’re thinking duh, Black women are the diamonds in the rough, the crown jewels, the jeweler and the crown. But in the most literal sense, Black women literally are showstoppers and rock with the best, and new indie film “Nice & Rough” is paying homage to the women of the 50s and 60s that helped birth rock n’ roll for generations to come. Director Sheila Dianne Jackson has proclaimed 2017 “The Year of Black Women in rock” and we’re with her! At a SXSW panel last year she expressed that, “This film provides an intimate, candid and inspired testament to genre-busting, and what it takes to follow your ‘calling’ in an atmosphere that denies your very existence.” In a culture that routinely denies Black women’s right to take ownership and credit for their contributions, films like these are important to building those bridges back to truthful representation. Support the crowdfunding campaign for “Nice & Rough” now!

By T. McLendon, AFROPUNK Contributor

Betty Davis

Sis. Rosetta Tharpe

Bessie Smith