I am Unity: Icon Ebony-Fierce

Unity at the Initiative: a multi-site visual exhibition and at-home experience centering art by and for Queer and Trans Artists of Color. I am:_____ is a blog series to get to know our partners.

Icon Ebony Fierce is a Philadelphia born and based performance artist that has one mission: to change people's perception of artistic expression one subculture at a time. Icon has a background in theatre, dance, and spoken word performance since 2003. Icon also specializes in hosting/emceeing, burlesque, performance art, and drag since 2012. Their content includes sexuality, body positivity, political/social issues, gender equality, etc. They’re also a curator for festivals like Phreak N Queer, Hot Bits Film Festival and more. They are also community based as well with creating a supply hub for protestors and activists at Sankofa house, co-organized the very first Black Philly Queer Town hall to address racial inequality in the drag and burlesque scenes, and is also currently a board member of the William Way Community Center. Professionally, they work as the event and casting manager for Burd Events which is a client of Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, Drag Diva Brunch and beyond. Always centering QTPOC and making sure there is continuous visibility in the community.

You can see them on instagram @iconebonyfierce

Finish this sentence with a word or two: I am a:_______

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What's the most half-baked hobby you took on since the COVID-19 shutdown?

I have been mainly doing digital drag shows, playing in makeup and more drag non stop. I don't really have any other hobbies unless you consider watching Netflix a hobby.

What are you binge-watching?

"Girlfriends" "Moesha" "Half & Half" "Dr Pimple Popper" "The Parkers" and "One on One"

What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Always and forever, my friends. We are the wildest, random, group of queerdos and I am forever blessed to be surrounded by obnoxious laughter.

If you were to create a signature skate move, what would the move involve/look like?

A 360 spin, flip, into a soft "dip"

Anything you'd like to share with the world?

I love house music, disco, cold brews, long walks to the wine shop and luxury fragrances. I also have the most infectious laugh, so beware if you make this one cackle like a church auntie!