GUSH x Cupcake Noire

When it comes to addressing the importance of self-love, confidence, and knowledge as tools for healthier sexual behaviors among Black womxn, the fact is, Shawna Shipley-Gates is a powerhouse. The Kansas City, Missouri-based health educator, sexual wellness influencer, public speaker, and activist is the founder of Cupcake Noire, a platform created to celebrate Black womxn’s sexuality. 

Here, she discusses her passion for combatting sexual oppression and how Black womxn are at the helm of the Black erotic revolution.

OHNAAHNAAH: What prompted your decision to create a brand dedicated to Black female sexuality?

Shawna Shipley-Gates: I founded Cupcake Noire to create a safe sex-positive space to celebrate everything healthy, unabashedly provocative, and luxurious about the sexuality of Black womxn. After working with Black womxn at high risk for (read: anyone who is sexually active) and living with HIV/AIDS for almost a decade, I realized that most of us have had little to no healthy and pleasurable introduction to Black female sexuality which ultimately jeopardizes our sexual health. Since the initiation of Cupcake Noire, I've come to the realization that barriers including misogynoir (shoutout to Spelman sister, Moya Bailey), respectability politics, sexual trauma, and other forms of sexual oppression need to be addressed in order to achieve a healthier and more pleasurable erotic future among Black womxn. 

O: We love your Instagram feed. Can you tell us a bit about why the color pink is of such significance in your branding?

SSG: As a Black feminist, I did quite a bit of personal research about the myths surrounding feminism, including the supposed hatred of the color pink. The color pink has a historically negative reputation within mainstream feminism. Since Black feminists and Black womxn are often labeled as "Angry Black Women," we are proudly embracing the "Mean Girls" color palette and reclaiming our femininity, self-worth, and sexual narrative by donning pink on Wednesdays and any other day that ends in "y". Most importantly, the color pink, when paired with a darker hue such as melanated skin, represents strength and sophistication. Bottom line, wear as much pink as you damn well please sis...

O: We've also noticed you've made a point to incorporate luxury into your brand. Why is that?

SSG: When it comes to luxury, I think of it as a sensual expression. Black womxn have a right to experience luxury that arouses all of our senses. Luxury doesn't necessarily have to mean expensive but it definitely represents quality, health and wellness, self care, pleasure and eroticism.

O: Do you find that friends and followers come to you for sex advice? And if so, what's the most common question you receive?

SSG: Fortunately, Cupcake Noire is a brand that allows space for my friends, followers and I to discuss all things sex, especially in the private Cupcake Noire Uncensored forum. In particular, the most common question is about self pleasure and the best way to get started in which I reply that our fingers are the best way to get to know our body and what makes us feel good. 

O: What has been the most challenging part of building your brand?

SSG: The most challenging yet rewarding part about Cupcake Noire is that I had to actually practice what I preach. This meant taking time to explore my own sexuality and discover what eroticism means for me before I could promote sex positivity, pleasure and healthy sexual behaviors unto other Black womxn.

O: What has been the most fulfilling part?

SSG: Two years in, I can happily say that Cupcake Noire has become more than a brand...it has become a part of my life. So much so that I am currently enrolled as a PhD student in a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program where I plan to explore eroticism and sexual health among Black womxn.

O: Anything else you'd like to add?

SSG: In the midst of this recent racial injustice, I was trying to figure out where I would be most valuable because I didn't feel moved to use up emotional labor by protesting or discussing racism with non-Black folks. Instead, I found the solution within Cupcake Noire by cultivating the idea of a Black Erotic Revolution. Led by Black womxn and feminists, the Black Erotic Revolution is a movement within Black Erotic Futurism where Black womxn living healthy, unabashedly provocative, and luxuriously erotic lifestyles is a form of power and resistance against misogynoiristic sexual oppression. 

To begin, I have accumulated an evolving list of Black owned brands and businesses that contribute to the Black Erotic Revolution ranging from condoms, lube and other intimacy products to mental, sexual and spiritual health to clothing, lingerie, and  home goods.

You can find Shawna on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: @cupcakenoire

If you’re interested in being featured in our GUSH interview series, email hello@ohnaahnaah.com. We’d love to hear from you.