Letter from the Editors
Dear Beloved Reader,
In this sprawling earth, two small seeds were sown. The Virginia Black Review first took root in the crisp autumn air of 2021, with its buds reaching towards an open sky with eager anticipation. In January 2023, {in}Visible Magazine soon followed, emerging from fertile soil with leaves unfurling to greet the sun’s beaming rays. These two nascent seeds have since blossomed into vibrant patches, each a lush kaleidoscope of colors and textures.
Though planted separately, our roots yearned for each other, reaching across the soil in search of connection and solidarity. Now, for the first time, our two effervescent patches find themselves on the cusp of an unprecedented union. Like two crashing rivers, our publications come together, our currents flowing into one. We wind around each other like ivy, yet neither publication is suffocated. Rather, we grow into each other, blooming skyward with promise of newness. Once two separate threads, our two publications now knot into one—our fates forever intertwined.
In this inaugural collaborative issue, “Patchwork,” our creative staff serve not only as gardeners, tending to blooming sanctuaries, but also as skilled tailors and seamstresses, weaving this issue into a vivid tapestry. Every seed planted is a promise for tomorrow and every stitch sewn is a prayer that whispers hope and resilience. With tender touches and gentle eyes, every patch—every piece—bears the imprint of its tailor.
The quilter’s nimble hands teach us that patchwork is more than mere stitching, mirroring the work of the jazz artist. Just as the jazz artist orchestrates chaos into melody, the quilter transforms scraps into treasures. Lay your ear to the page, and you may hear the seams softly hum secret truths, harmonizing with a greater symphony. Just as the jazz artist’s melody thrives on syncopation and accidental riffs, so does the quilter’s tapestry. With each tear, mend, and lopsided stitch, the tapestry evolves and embraces its fate. Each flaw enhances the richness of the composition—a celebration of imperfection and asymmetry.
In this issue, we seek to celebrate artists of all kinds—be they tailors, jazz musicians, or stewards of the earth. As we journey through its pages together, we envision this edition as our very own patchwork quilt pulled taut across time and space. We imagine stretching it against the stars under cool moonlight, each patch a window into its own universe—stories from across the diaspora. Here, the warmth of a grandmother’s final embrace mingles with the scent of freshly-cut grass, while the laughter of first loves resonates through fields of wildflowers. Amidst these pages, we hope you’ll find a loose thread to cling to, that you’ll find yourself woven within its seams.
We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to mend the fabric of our communities and to patch together stories that reflect ourselves, and you—our beloved reader. We would also like to thank our cherished readers for nurturing fertile soil in which we may plant our roots and flourish together.
Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to our dedicated staff, whose boundless creativity and unwavering commitment have brought this vision to life. Thank you for eagerly diving into working with each other on this endeavor. A final thanks goes to our diligent production team who worked tirelessly to produce such a cohesive digital issue. You all make us so excited and hopeful for future collaborations, for this is just our first. Let us continue sewing together the fabric of our shared narrative and planting gardens, filled with wild beauty.
With all our love,
Shaleah, Aleyna, Wendy, Jasmine <3
