Mother of Mankind

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Work in progress...


"We are all born from the same place—the source of all humanity. Differences are adaptations, not divisions."


I’m happy to share a sneak peek of my latest piece in the Awakening Series. This pencil sketch, still in progress, is already pulsing with meaning.

In this piece, a figure holds the Earth tenderly, with Africa facing forward. Why? Because Africa is the cradle of humanity, the root of our shared journey. This isn’t about Black or White, it’s about Human. Our skin, our features, our differences are adaptations to the lands we wandered, not walls between us. This drawing is my way of challenging the very foundation of racism, reminding us that we all sprouted from the same soil.



The Inspiration Behind the Art

The title Mother of Mankind carries a weighty truth: Africa is where humanity began. Science tells us our story started there, some 200,000–300,000 years ago. Early humans evolved dark, melanin-rich skin to shield against the intense equatorial sun, protecting vital nutrients like folate (Vitamin B9). As our ancestors migrated out of Africa roughly 70,000–50,000 years ago, they faced new climates. In regions with less sunlight, lighter skin helped absorb UV rays to produce Vitamin D, essential for strong bones and healthy reproduction.

These changes weren’t random or instant. They unfolded over thousands of years, driven by gene mutations like SLC24A5, MFSD12 and OCA2, some of which even originated in Africa before spreading elsewhere. Skin pigmentation evolved multiple times in different ways, across populations. It’s also a testament to our adaptability and not a hierarchy of worth.


This is what Mother of Mankind holds up: a single root for all of us. Race, as we know it, is a social construct and not a biological truth. There’s more genetic variation within so-called racial groups than between them. Our differences are beautiful and meaningful, they’re not divisions. They’re the marks of a shared journey across a diverse planet.


A Visual Bridge Between Science and Soul

As I sketch, I’m pouring my heart into every detail. I want you to understand that this isn’t just a drawing but a conversation. The figure cradling the Earth, with Africa at its heart, is a reminder that we’re all connected. Racism thrives on forgetting this truth, on pretending our differences are deeper than they are. My artwork aims to dismantle that illusion and to show that our origins unite us far more than our appearances divide us.

This piece is still taking shape and I’m savoring the process. Each pencil mark is a step toward sparking questions about identity, truth and about what it means to be human. I hope it becomes a mirror for viewers, reflecting not just who we are, but who we could be if we saw each other as branches of the same tree.


A Call to Reflect

I want this artwork to do more than hang on a wall. I want it to stir something in you. So here’s my question: What would change if we saw each other as kin and not strangers? If we remembered we all come from the same place?

Let’s start that conversation. Kindly drop your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how this piece speaks to you so far.

What’s Next

It's still a work in progress, so I’m still adding details, refining the vision and letting this piece evolve. Stay tuned for updates as Mother of Mankind comes to life. In the meantime, thank you for being part of this journey. Together, through art and reflection, we can remind the world of our shared roots and maybe help it heal.🌱

What do you think of the concept? How does the idea of our shared origin resonate with you? Share below and let’s keep the conversation going! ✍🏾

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