The idea started as many great ones do: with a tweet.
This one was from Jasmine Tucker, an early child educator living in Florida.
And thus, Black Fae Day was born.
Design by Bella Geraci / Getty Images and Courtesy of Subjects
She wasnt alone in her frustration, and soon her tweet was shared across social media platforms.
I realized, uh-oh, maybe more people really do believe in this as well, Tucker says.
With encouragement from her partner Carlos, she began to form a larger community and launched aFacebookgroup.
Jasmine Tucker
Since then, Black Fae Day has become so much more than just an annual holiday.
Black Fae Day has changed a lot in its two years of existence.
The theme was Land vs Sea to bridge the mermaid and fairy communities.
Anuli
For 2023, they returned with another in-person event during the last weekend in April.
All of us have agency and sovereignty of our own lives, Turner says.
I really genuinely wanted people to feel like royalty.
Sachi F
Black Fae Day has officially become a full-time job for Tucker.
This all has been an extreme crash course into community organizing as well as business.
I don’t have any background in business, she says.
Akakioga’s 2022 Black Fae Day cosplay
But I was so committed to the needs of my community that I went ahead and did it.
(Currently, theyre still in the planning stages, but anyone interested cansign up here.)
Anuli
Tucker has also started to expand to other cities by partnering with cosplayers across the country.
Courtesy of subject
Anuli has dressed up as a fairy more than a few times before, so shes basically an expert.
Its still hard for her to pick just one reason why she loves them.
I just love that idea of frolicking through nature in your absolute freest self.
Courtesy of subject
I love the colors of fairies, the fantasy, the glitter, all of that.
Tuckers impact is undeniable.
Brooklyn-basedSachi F, who is a full-time cosplayer, was ecstatic the moment she saw Tuckers tweet in 2021.
Courtesy of subject
That we do look nice wearing royalcore aesthetics and fantasy aesthetics.
That we do deserve to be whimsical and magical and creative just like everyone else.
And I’m happy to see that even in 2023 Black Fae Day is still growing and going strong!
Courtesy of subject
you could post anything fantasy-related that you like that promotes Black voices as well, Turner shares.
That could be illustrations.
It could be your Hobbit second breakfast recipe.
Courtesy of subject
People are very creative.
Maybe there’s some Black Fae Day studios out there, she says.
I hope as Black Fae Day grows, you’ll see that the community grows with it.
Courtesy of subject
Black Fae Day is more than just stunning photos of Black fairies, elves, and other otherwordly creatures.
Well create our own instead.
I am an actress, and I think it is important to be the change you want to see.
Courtesy of subject
Being a faerie is a lifestyle to me.
Hopefully, my Black fairy [cosplay] inspires other young Black children and adults to dress up.
This day shows that there is a space for Black fantasy and fairtytales.
Ive always been into fantasy ever since I was a kid, and I loveFernGully.
The first year I dressed my daughter as a fairy, too.
It was so much fun.
We were walking around the neighborhood taking pictures.
Black Fae Day is like Christmas for me.
I am always online retweeting, reposting, and sharing.
I want to get Black Fae Day out as much as the next person.
It makes my young teenage self squeal in joy because this is something weve needed for ages.
