How Could We Not Lift As We Climb?: a response by Dionne Victoria
Still of “Invisible Giants;” provided courtesy of Dionne Victoria
Invisible Giants: Honoring Black Women’s History
Shown on May 21, 2025 at the Chicago History Museum
Curated & Created by Essence McDowell
Featured Speakers: Essence McDowell, Mariame Kaba, Pilar Audain, Zetta Elliot
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On a powerful evening stitched together with legacy and love, Invisible Giants, a documentary by Essence McDowell, lit the screen with stories that too often live in shadows. The screening was more than an event—it was a call to remembrance, a charge to honor, and a celebration of the Black women who have shaped our world with quiet force and unwavering grace.
Among the honored guests was none other than Brenetta Howell Barrett, a true titan of social change. Her presence at the screening was a profound reminder of the paths that have been paved through sacrifice, brilliance, and heart. To witness her bearing witness to this tribute was nothing short of sacred.
The film deeply explored womanhood—not as a performance, but as a daily devotion to our communities. It showed us what it means to serve with our full selves, to lead while loving, and to nurture while resisting. This kind of womanhood is rooted in purpose. It is familiar. It is ours.
Equally powerful was the theme of sisterhood, tenderly woven throughout the film. We saw women holding space for one another, lifting each other in struggle and triumph, and pouring belief into each other’s dreams. This is how we survive. This is how we thrive. We build our sisters up as much as we can, because the climb is never meant to be made alone.
Still of “Invisible Giants;” provided courtesy of Dionne Victoria
The inclusion of Jenn Freeman, cofounder of House of the Lorde, brought a contemporary lens to the film’s archival strength. Her presence as a featured voice underscored how today’s movement work is a continuation of sacred, ancestral rhythms. Through healing, organizing, and creative revolution, Freeman carries the torch with boldness and care.
And perhaps one of the most invigorating and necessary elements of the evening was the voice of the children—present, clear, and full of possibility. Their energy wasn’t an afterthought; it was an essential thread. Hearing their voices—innocent, joyful, and wise—reminded us who we do this work for. They gave the night breath. They gave it wings.
This film, this gathering, was for the little girl in us—the one still looking for herself in stories, in faces, in futures. The one still healing. The one who needed to know that our legacy is rich, our lineage is deep, and our brilliance is undeniable.
McDowell’s film is deeply rooted in the ongoing work of Lifting As They Climbed, a historic preservation and educational initiative she co-authored. More than a book, it has become a movement—with an accompanying curriculum designed to teach Black Chicago history through the lens of Black women’s contributions. It’s an essential resource for schools, cultural institutions, and anyone committed to keeping these stories alive.
We are the daughters of giants, and this screening reminded us: how could we not lift as we climb?
Still of “Invisible Giants;” provided courtesy of Dionne Victoria
Want to learn more or bring the curriculum to your space?
Visit www.liftingastheyclimbed.com to explore the books, curriculum, and more.
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Dionne Victoria is a Chicago visual and performing artist who has exhibited in the United States Congress and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. She has researched the effects of using art to teach science while teaching at Art In Motion and currently holds the chair as President of the Healing Academy. Her art is a commentary on black people in history, the love we share and how we have contributed to life. Her most recent endeavor is the grand opening of the Art Center of Englewood, where artists with families are welcomed to create their dreams.
