Hey Queen: A Playscape Celebrating Black Womanhood

This piece was born from listening to my mother’s stories of growing up in Compton, CA - playing outside with the neighborhood kids, inventing games, playing double dutch, and staying out until the streetlights came on.

Hey Queen is an ode to that little Black girl, and to all who carry her inside of us. It’s a 15-foot interactive art installation that honors the sacred play, joyful spirit, and reverent legacy of Black women. A place to gather, rest, move, and share joy - a whimsical, welcoming space made with devotion and intention.

She’ll be crowned with a cozy resting space, adorned with playful “swing” earrings and double dutch cornrows that invite movement and connection. Her dreadlocks will be jeweled with beads and shells, carrying the hairstories of BIPOC women from our communities - oral histories passed down, held close, and now honored in public space.

A key mission of Hey Queen is to expand access to Burning Man for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals who’ve historically faced barriers to attending. 70% of our honorarium tickets will go directly to BIPOC folks — many of whom will be experiencing Burning Man for the first time.

We can’t bring this vision to life without you. This offering grow through community, and your support plays a powerful role in getting our Queen to the desert. 

How You Can Help

Hey Queen is a community-powered offering. While we are honored to receive support through a Burning Man Honoraria Grant, it covers only a portion of our journey. From building materials and transportation to fabric, plywood, and the many hands needed to bring her to life, this vision relies on collective care and contribution.

Your support is essential in helping us carry Hey Queen to the desert - as a living monument to joy, play, and the enduring legacy of Black women.

Building the Structure:

• Wood paneling
• Steel tubing
• Welding supplies
• Fabric, fill, and foam

Equipment & Safety:

• Power tools
• Safety equipment and PPE for our build crew

Lighting & Power:

• Lighting systems
• Batteries

With gratitude,

Hey Queen