Hello
My name’s Abigail Johnson, but most people know me as Abi.
I was born and raised in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and my cultural roots run deep through Jamaica and St. Kitts. I grew up in a Christian household, stepped away for a while, and later found my faith again — stronger and more grounded than before.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I work a day job while building something bigger for my community — something that truly matters. The idea for IsleBlaque came to me during a time when I noticed a rise in self-awareness across the country, but also an increase in the disrespect, misrepresentation, and silencing of my people.
I saw how others were free to define us — rewrite our stories, take what’s ours, and treat our heritage like a costume. I realised that too much happens behind closed doors, too much gets taken, and too few stand up for what’s right. So I decided I wasn’t going to wait for anyone else to speak up.
IsleBlaque was created to be that voice.
Vision
IsleBlaque is a hub, a safe space, and a movement. It’s where Black/brown-skinned people from across the blaque diaspora can come together to reclaim what’s ours, restore our dignity, and build generational power.
This isn’t just about community — it’s about evolution.
We’re unlearning what we’ve been fed, rebuilding what was taken, and standing our ground to make sure our stories are told truthfully.
Our values are rooted in:
-
Culture
-
Community
-
Ownership
-
Empowerment
-
Education
-
Evolution
IsleBlaque is about creating a lasting foundation. A place to document our history, support our businesses, uplift our voices, and give our people a platform that is finally ours.
Connection to BGGD — Building Across Brands
Before IsleBlaque, I created BrumGyalieGyalDem (BGGD) — a beauty and wellbeing brand that centres Black women and the importance of self-care. The name came to me when I was 17, during college, studying Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. I didn’t overthink it — it just felt right.
BGGD represents ownership, expression, and healing. It was my first step into creating something that looked like me and felt like me — rooted in culture, womanhood, and pride.
The connection between BGGD and IsleBlaque is simple:
Both were born from a desire to build change.
BGGD focuses on self-care and confidence, while IsleBlaque focuses on community care and collective strength.
Together, they reflect my journey — from personal growth to communal empowerment. They both tell a story of identity, resilience, and reclamation.
BGGD also inspired the direction of IsleBlaque in supporting Black businesses, showing me the impact of creating spaces and opportunities that uplift and empower our people.
one last thing i've got to say...
To my people — we are capable of so much more than the world has led us to believe.
We are strong, creative, spiritual, and powerful beyond measure. We don’t need proximity to anything but ourselves.
Representation matters — but not when it’s performative or diluted. We’ve seen how others claim to “help” while taking credit, taking space, and taking from us. I’ve lived it, seen it, and felt it — and that’s exactly why IsleBlaque exists.
This is our time to rise above the noise, to heal, to build, and to own again.
Not every person will understand or join the movement — and that’s fine. But those who do will know that IsleBlaque is built on truth, love, and purpose.
I want this hub to stand as proof that we can restore what was lost, break generational curses, and finally love ourselves without apology or filter.
Because we are not what the world painted us to be —
We are the architects of our own future.