As a young Black woman living in Charleston, West Virginia, Myya Williams says she feels safe in her home state, and she is encouraged by the kindness of its residents.

The 16-year-old high school student enjoys playing softball and connecting with her Xinos sorority sisters. The national group, which provides guidance in academic, moral and social values, is one way Myya engages with culturally enriching experiences.

West Virginia’s predominantly white population means Myya must often look beyond its borders to see someone who looks like her. It’s through those connections, both near and far, that she finds Black Joy – in cultural inspiration and seeing Black women embracing their natural beauty.