TueNight 10: Celeste Smith

By TueNight Crew

(T/N editor: “Can you give us a caption for this?” Celeste: “Dope AF.”)

Age: 47

Bio: Celeste is an unapologetically Black Muslim woman striving to make the world a better place. Her most recent work can be found in the anthology Tender, a collection of poetry, prose and art by 19 Black womxn and femmes in Pittsburgh. She is the co-founder of 1Hood Media, a collective of socially conscious artists and activists.

Beyond the Bio: Choices are a wonderful thing. I work daily against internalized patriarchy, limited religious ideologies, and remnants of low self-esteem. As I’ve gotten older, I have learned to own my decisions and appreciate that I can do whatever the fuck I want to do…I just have to be prepared to deal with the consequences.

What makes you a grown-ass lady? I embrace the fact that I don’t know shit. My heart has been broken, my spirit dampened and my mind lost. I have been penniless, reinvented myself and reclaimed all aspects of my life. And, I’ve learned from it all.

Here’s her TueNight 10:

1. On the nightstand: Water, hemp gummies, Salt by Nayyirah Waheed, the Quran, and a notebook and pen.

2. Can’t stop/won’t stop: Fighting for the liberation of oppressed people.

3. Jam of the minute: Consideration by Rihanna.

4. Thing I miss: Not knowing.

5. ’80s crush: River Phoenix.

6. Current crush: Jasiri X.

7. Latest fave find: Latex leggings.

8. Last thing you lost: Trust for someone I love.

9. Best thing that happened recently: After six months of waiting, I found out a lump in my left breast was benign.

10. Looking forward to: Black women being recognized, honored, and celebrated more for all of our accomplishments and sacrifices.

Originally Published June 11, 2020. Updated April 5, 2021.