The cover of “Reclaiming Venus: The Many Lives of Alvenia Bridges.”
African Studies affiliate faculty member Maya Smith has recently co-published “Reclaiming Venus: The Many Lives of Alvenia Bridges” (Simon & Schuster, 2024). This memoir chronicles the life of Alvenia Bridges beginning in a racially oppressive environment in 1950s Kansas. Despite a tumultuous home life, Bridges graduated high school, left for Los Angeles, and carved out a successful career in the fashion world and the music industry, supporting key figures in the fashion and rock ‘n’ roll scenes of the 1970s and 80s. Along the way, she broke barriers, connected with legends, and navigated predominantly white and male-dominated industries.
But “Reclaiming Venus” is more than just a memoir. In 2021, Smith brought the story to life as an ethnographic memoir and story map walking tour, creating an immersive experience that helps audiences engage with Bridges’ history in a unique way.
At the heart of “Reclaiming Venus” is the exploration of the places and people that have shaped Bridges’ life. The memoir unfolds through her relationships — both global and personal — and the memorabilia that fills her New York City apartment. These objects, each a tangible connection to her past, serve as touchstones that ground her in the present, allowing her to reflect on her journey thus far.