It’s been 9 months since Satoshi Kanazawa’s “A Look at the Hard Truths About Human Nature” on Psychology Today’s website — a “study” showing that  Black women are scientifically proven to be less attractive than other women — created a huge media firestorm leading to the post being removed and Kanazawa’s eventual termination. In response to the overtly racist piece, Harlem photographer Paul Edward Phillips “decided not to get mad, but to get busy” by conceptualizing a photography book showing the beautiful diversity of Black women.

In his coffee table-style book, the Sugar Hill resident plans to display 30 to 40 high quality black & white and color photographs featuring Black women of all backgrounds. Called “Beauty in Black,” he plans to scout for “models” via the Internet.  Phillips recently started a KickStarter campaign to get the project off the ground. The money raised will go towards travel, printing, makeup artists, and wardrobe stylists.

How have other culture’s conception of Black beauty affected us? Do empowering books and images help others understand the depth of Black beauty?