When multimedia artist and writer Jenn\u233\u Afiya started involving herself with Baltimore’s community of young artists, something clicked: the scene was often very white, very male and not always very local. What started out as a Facebook message to a handful of people just to vent turned into Balti Gurls, a collective of black and brown female-identified artists. Since its founding by Jenn\u233\u in 2014, the members of Balti Gurls have come together on social media and in person to produce what they wanted to see: film screenings, music and art showcases, events and parties. Jenn\u233\u was born and raised in Baltimore, and she talked about her parents’ involvement in the local black arts scene and coming from a long line of creative women of color. She also discussed getting woke on Tumblr, collaboration, the meaning and role of “safer spaces” and her inspirations.