Since the annual AfroPunk Festival wrapped up in Brooklyn on August 23 there have been hundreds of photos circulating on social media of the strikingly beautiful attendees. Women of all shades of brown graced the festival rocking colorful hair, traditional African makeup, dashikis, head wraps, body art — it was truly a space to revel in the beauty of black womanhood.
Selecting just 27 photos was an overwhelming task, because we honestly could have posted ten times that many. All photos were taken by photographer Damion Reid. Please check out his blog and Instagram account for more.



























Did any of you attend the festival? What was your experience?
beautiful
AfroPunk was such an amazing experience! This was my first year going and I can not express how uplifting it was to be amongst such beautiful blackness. The music was fantastic, but the energy was the best part. Such positivity, inclusiveness, and love all around. Everyone seemed chill, happy, and welcoming. My friends and I are already planning to go next year.
So gorgeous! Going to Afropunk is a part of my bucket list
I’m so going to this next year…and I love all the pictures, but the young lady with the dreads, second to last is stunning. She reminds me of my favorite tree the weeping willow in human form.
I am normally not into colored hair on black women, but DAMN they make it look fabulous! I also love the African prints and the jewelry, too.
I love his Damion’s tumblr. It’s one of my favorite to visit. Beautiful women and beautiful shots.
allthingsammamama.com
So beautiful. Love all the shades, hair types, and styles represented. But why is it so rare to find the plus size cuties photographed? Ahhh, well can’t win ’em all.
Gorgeous pics.
Gorgeous!!
Such a creative display of self expression. I’m in awe, mesmerizing.
I would love to go. Love the scenery, the styles, the people. I’m just not sure if I’ll love the music. I haven’t heard any, so was just curious. Also, I wonder why if they named the festival Afropunk due to the music–you know punk music–which I’m not really into. Either way, I’m definitely making going to Afropunk part of my bucket list as well.
there is somewhat of a punk vibe, there was like 1 or 2 punk bands. but with three different stages you will defiantly find something you like. there was r&b, hip hop, and EDM as well. Lauren Hill, Grace Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Danny brown etc.
Even if the music isn’t your favorite you are bound to have a good time because there are so many other things to get into.
D’angelo has performed there, So has Badu and Jada Pinkett. They have some good music, you’d like it.
Every single photo made me smile. I love it.
Okay this is too gorgeous! These women are stunning!!!
the festival was so amazing, my first time attending. Everyone looked amazing and in such a great festive mood.
Simply the best!
All these women are BEAUTIFUL,
All of these women are so beautiful!
What beautiful, gorgeous, MAJESTIC women of color!! Wow! And these are MY people?? Get outta here! I’m so proud right now!
I was thinking the exact same things: no cookie-cutter, straight hair, so-called “standard of beauty” here! Love it!
I love the AfroPunk Festival! Great music and great people. Lots of black owned businesses, vlogger, bloggers …talent everywhere
Hoooooooooly shit this is fabulous <3
I had no idea an Afropunk Festival existed until now. Looks fun!!!! So many colors and beautiful ladies. Now I wanna go in the future. I’m so proud to be a black woman!
Nice pictures.
This is only beautiful time when black people can embrace their blackness! We need more these events!
Swooning!! ???
Lord have mercy. Thats all I have to say. I am overwhelmed just by the pictures. Too much heat in one place. I would pass out.
Oh Melanin Goddesses…
Every one of these ladies is killin it in a way that has me so inspired that I have no more words. These photos made me feel very joyful.
Great pictures and yes they all are breathtaking. I love seeing the diversity and different styles on them. They are exploring themselves in self expression and that’s wonderful. The women in the pictures are expressive and so chilled, not a care in the world, just doing them;unbothered. I would like to go someday but I don’t live in Brooklyn and there’s not none of those where I reside. I bet the festival was vivacious. The photographer was good at this and my favorite pictures to say is photo 4, 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, and 24. My 1st favorite is… Read more »
Ooh! I love the Blue.
wow!
These ladies are cutie pies. I’m living for that magenta afro though.
I love AfroPunk. Also, the Sisters look gorgeous and beautiful. The excellence, the creativity, and the beauty of Blackness is glorious.
They look wonderful! I must go to Afropunk someday.
OMG MY EYES.
Thank you BGHL for this post. I have just finished checking Damion’s blog and I was amazed by the diversity and beauty of every single woman. I am so annoyed to see black women under and badly represented in the media: blond wigs, weaved photoshopped black barbies, etc that’s not me. I am SO tired of the standardised eurocentric beauty shoved down your throat. The women on his blog are all beautiful women who I can identify with: skin colour, hair type, body shape. I strongly encourage every black women to check his blog.
My kind of people!