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Homegoings
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Homegoings

‘Where are the Black Goths in Vermont?’

By Myra Flynn
Published October 31, 2024 at 10:47 AM EDT
Kelemua Summa works at Old Gold, an "alt" clothing store in Burlington, Vermont. She works the floor, helping others get their fashions together daily.
Photo: Myra Flynn
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Graphic: Elodie Reed
Kelemua Summa works at Old Gold, an "alt" (alternative) clothing store in Burlington, Vermont. She says alternative spaces have always existed and are more inclusive than they used to be.

In our first Homegoings Shorty we get to go "Goth" as we answer a question from DonnCherie McKenzie about where the community of Black Goths might be hiding in Vermont.

This is the latest episode of Homegoings, a podcast that features fearless conversations about race, and YOU are welcome here. Follow the series here.

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Kelemua Summa looks really cool. She has incredibly short hair, which she has bleached a radical shade of white blonde with matching eyebrows. The contrast of this bleached hair against her smooth dark skin, along with multiple facial piercings and completely black fit — is stunning! Her look is memorable. Especially in a state like Vermont which doesn't have a lot of Black folks. And it's even harder to find Black folks who dig into the "alternative" styling like she does.

Kelemua seemed like she might have a thing or two to say about the first Homegoings Shorty question that came our way. If you've been following our wind-down of season two of the show, you know that we put the call out to YOU, our homies, to send us your advice-based curiosities, that we'll do our best to answer while we are between seasons. This question comes to us from DonnCherie McKenzie, who has previously appeared on an episode of Homegoings about art and authenticity. This time, DonnCherie has a question about a very specific community she's been looking for in her home state.

"So where is the community of Black Goths here in Vermont?"
- DonnCherie McKenzie

Just in time for Halloween! Let's do it. Let's go goth!

Credits

This shorty was reported and edited by Myra Flynn and mixed by associate producer James Stewart. Myra Flynn composed the theme music and all other music is from Miles Hooper and Blue Dot Sessions. Elodie Reed is the graphic artist behind this episode’s Homegoings artist portrait.

We have more shorties and conversation coming in the weeks ahead so stay tuned!

To continue to be part of the Homegoings family:

Correction: This story was updated on 11/01/2024 at 10:30 a.m. to correct the spelling and pronunciation of Kelemua Summa's first name.

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Homegoings New England News Collaborative
Myra Flynn
Myra Flynn joined Vermont Public in March 2021 and is the Host and Executive Producer of Homegoings. Raised in Vermont, Myra Flynn is an accomplished musician who has come to know the lay of dirt-road land that much more intimately through touring both well-known and obscure stages all around the state and beyond. She also has experience as a teaching artist and wore many hats at the Burlington Free Press, including features reporter and correspondent, before her pursuits took her deep into the arts world. Prior to joining Vermont Public, Myra spent eight years in the Los Angeles music industry.
See stories by Myra Flynn