These three women— Mumia, Cymbaline, and Dixie —were the founding members of the Brighton & Hove Black History Group. They weren’t found dead in a ditch. They were “found dead” in the archives, the history books, and the dusty corners of a seaside town that tried to forget them.
These ladies were historians, activists, and general disruptors who tracked down the buried stories of Black people in Brighton. And when they said they were “dead,” they meant they were thoroughly, completely, and joyfully done with letting anyone erase their community’s contributions. Talk about a power move.
Why This Makes Life More Fun (Seriously)
Here’s the lighthearted twist: Dead is a state of mind. Think about it. When you’re “dead” to drama, you become untouchable. When you’re “dead” to fear, you start doing cartwheels in the living room. These three women were dead to the idea that history belongs only to the winners.
They went searching for evidence of Black ice-cream sellers, runaway slaves, and Victorian-era musicians in Brighton. They found proof that Black people weren’t just visitors—they were builders of that city. And they documented it all with the energy of a fan club discovering behind-the-scenes footage of their favorite band.
So next time you feel invisible or overlooked, ask yourself: What would these three dead women do? They’d probably laugh, dig up a forgotten receipt from 1802 that proves you were awesome, and then throw a party with sea shanties and ginger beer.
#SayHerName honors Breonna Taylor, other Black women killed by police
