Portraits at Thriving Together NAACP

https://naacp.org/articles/naacp-concludes-week-thriving-together-boston-114th-national-convention

My return to photography after maternity included many random art outings, this was from a member day at the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum debuting their Presence of Plants exhibition:

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/presence-plants-contemporary-art

Visited the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston to check out one of my faves: Deana Lawson. There were a bunch of other artists on display and I grabbed shots of parts of things that caught my eye.

February 2022

https://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/deana-lawson/

Took a trip to NYC for a relaxing weekend.

Shots of the trip.

May 2021

Check out the full Event Photos Here - inPublic2021

For The People Juneteenth Celebration and Community BBQ

Hosted by Black Boston and catered by Boloco

Full Event Photos Here

June 19th

Location: Titus Sparrow Park, Boston MA

Trans Resistance March, Vigil and Pridefest 2021

“Our Mission: Identify and respond to transphobic and cissexist actions, including violence and systemic oppression, through resistance. When the need to resist arises, we will not be silenced. 

How we Resist: We are a trans and community led organization who plans and organizes the annual Trans Resistance rally at Franklin Park. Throughout the year we create spaces, events and experiences that uplift the TQBIPOC community. We will work in collaboration with other social justice networks in order to address the pressing, urgent, and emergent needs of marginalized communities across Massachusetts.”

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/713486435946930/

TransresistanceMA Website: https://www.transresistancema.com/

June 12, 2021

Event Photos

Explored my neighborhood for things that resemble my growth. "Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant"

Jamaica Plain, MA

May 1, 2021

Black Market Nubian Black Lives Matter Mural Creation

BTS Day 1

BTS Day 2

“The Nubian Square Public Art Initiative is a newly launched initiative spearheaded by Black Market Nubian to develop a series of public murals and installations as a catalyst for neighborhood economic empowerment by the community, for the community. This effort aims to compensate local artists to collaborate on the envisioning of the square, which was recently renamed in 2019 as part of a larger effort to acknowledge the district as an Afro Centered community hub within Boston and the greater New England Region.

The initiative officially kicked off on July 4-5th through the installation of the City’s first Black Lives Matter street mural on the Washington Street corridor, led by local Roxbury Artist Lee Beard and “Mar” with Christopher Grant as Lead Art Engineer. This kickoff event has engaged over 20 collaborators through street painting and documentation. An estimated 1000 people have visited the mural during its creation. We see the Nubian Square Public Art Initiative as a catalyst to transform both the physical and social landscape of the district. Our district has been struggling for many decades with the disinvestment of white flight, redlining; shift to e-commerce purchasing habits, the opioid crisis, and now the Coronavirus pandemic.

This initiative serves to strengthen Nubian Square as the commercial center of Boston’s majority Black Community as well as its state-designation as an Arts and Culture District. The investment made in Nubian Square’s creative community will ensure equity, encourage collaboration between seasoned and emerging artists.

We believe art is not just a luxury; art predetermines success in a world increasingly driven by creativity, design, technology, and innovation. This initiative is a unique opportunity to kick-start the local economy, create jobs, and attract new businesses to Nubian Square. It is an opportunity to invest in a neighborhood rich with artistry that has served as a cultural backbone in the community for decades.” -

GoFundMe for Nubian Square Public Art Initiative - https://www.gofundme.com/f/d9excv-nubian-square-public-art-initiative

Black Market Nubian Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blackmarketnubian/?hl=en

July 4th and 5th, 2020

Boston, MA

More Photos from the Mural Set Ups

Explored my neighborhood for things that resemble my growth. "Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant"

Nubian Square, MA

May 27, 2020

BEAUTIFUL, STAGGERED, & SURELY CONSTANT PT. 4

Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant PT 4: Covid Spring

Explored my neighborhood for things that resemble my growth. "Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant"

Nubian Square, MA

April 14, 2020

"the color.

freedom has a way

of speaking in its native tongue.

slaves were saints

on sundays.

circling around

the square footage

of the Congo.

arms made strong

by the gift of jazz.

we played a tune

that made the crescent

moon,

full."

history by Cubs the Poet, New Orleans based Poet

https://cubsthepoet.com/

I was surprised with tickets to go to New Orleans by my partner, our birthdays are 5 days apart, mine February 1st. These are photos from that week. Exploring different places, art spaces, and nature. Includes food, landscapes, blurry, moody, and/or vibrant NOLA. P

Locations:

Carondelet and Bourbon Street

Contemporary Art Center

French Market on Decator - https://www.neworleans.com/listing/french-market/193/

New Orleans Museum of Art

City Park and Sculpture Garden

Frenchman Street and Market

Food We Ate, Not All Photographed:

Cafe Du Monde

We Dat Food Truck restaurant on Canal St.

Red Fish Grill

The Ruby Slipper

Rally's

AFRO-INDIGENOUS ARTS + HEALING FESTIVAL Portraits

Photos From Event

Empowered by the Ancestors and enlisted by the powers to be, Black Market and a group of COMMUNITY CREATIVES have been tapped to take-over the blighted lot (across from the Haley House next to Black Market) for an ARTS + HEALING Festival!

This is an opportunity for us to enliven and activate a space that has been vacant for over 50 years in the center of Dudley Square, Roxbury! Join us for the ART + HEALING TAKE-OVER! Change the VISUAL + SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION of our community by participating in this incredible event!

Photo-booth Instillation by Black Market and Jackie of Queens Co. - IG: @jackk_elin

August 17, 2019

Location:: Black Market, Dudley, 2139 Washington Street, Roxbury, Boston, MA

Event Link - https://www.facebook.com/events/2385916225023994/

See More Photos from this event.

Taken on the same day as Boston Pride - June 8th, 2019

267 Western Ave, Brighton MA

Submission for Anamalous Magazine Issue 6: Buttercup March/April 2019

In honor of Women’s History Month (March) and Blacck Women’s History Month (April), this issue is dedicated to women of color. Theme: Sexual liberation regarding women of color.

“What does Sexual liberation mean to me?”

No guilt. No feeling dirty or wrong. No shame.

The shame is what makes folks like me, Black pansexuals, stay closeted. Saying you are not just attracted to the body is still a taboo, though times are a-changing. Limits were affixed to my body as soon as I was born, you share this part of my story. Pretty early, maybe first grade, I realized that I was attracted to not only the opposite gender/sex but to anyone in between but (poorly) hid my curiosity. Around junior high school in 2008-9, I wanted to be visible and proud in my identity, a nameless reminder to encourage others to do the same. In simple words, being me is not dirty or wrong, sexual liberation is power.

“What are difficulties, if any, that you face in society as a sexually liberated woman, as well as in black & brown spaces?”

An opinion: “That gay shit = That white shit.” To that I say, Go see the world, suck a dick, and be somebody. Distant relatives on my timeline/newsfeed right now posting publicly and adamantly about conspiracies that the government conspires to emasculate “our” men by poisoning our drinking water with the big ‘Gay’ to destabilize our households. Do you see this changing the way I approach my love life and sexual exploration? Do you see this affecting any queer person to stop loving and fucking who they want? To the first question, Hell No, but to the second question is an overwhelming Yes. Conversion therapy exists, and the folks receiving that treatment heard that their sexual identity was wrong, dirty, that their desires were unthinkable and blasphemous. To them, being “normal” is the goal, and normal historically is straight, white, and thin. I am none of those things, so why fit into a box that was never made for you? No fear, shame, or guilt. You can also find that by embracing your identities and finding a tribe of people who accept you for not only your confidence but for your bravery. No one said it would be easy, but it damn sure is brave.

Advice about embracing your sexual liberation:

Last week, month, year when you thought about the future you were thinking about today: Decide for yourself what your future looks like. I say to myself, “What the future has for me is all I’m really here to see.” Try to interact with folks and your body like you already know your future, and free yourself of the burden of “What if?, the guilt of “Should I?”, or shame of “Why not?” Do for you.

Muses:

Arielle Gray @bonitafrobum + @print.aint.dead

CaianaNyrie @caiananyrie + @plantbasedrace

Rediscovery of self.

March 15, 2019

Muse - Beyazmin Jimenez

beyajimenez.com

http://www.thefuschiafiles.com/

https://bostonhassle.com/author/beyazmin-jimenez/

https://medium.com/atthetable/meet-beyazmin-jimenez-a-boston-blogger-and-freelance-writer-4891cd562a94

image of Maya Angelou

Image of James Baldwin

Issue 4: Crimson December 2018

Theme: Red

Discussion Topic: 1 thing you want people to think about for the holidays?”

“What do you notice yourself thinking about when you are completely still?” In December, we are able to recognize the stillness that we miss running from errand to errand. Snow and the cold force folks to find shelter and unity, everything seems picturesque and frozen in time, all the clichés. This is about finding that unity within yourself. My images tend to be very documentary of queer black folks and fractured, split with layers, or divided into two frames, a frame with action and a frame of stillness. Here, this is about finding the stillness and effortlessness of this time of year when toys and familial expectations are packaged and wrapped up in a big red bow. Interesting story, after getting my palm read earlier this year, they told me to adorn myself and my things in red. It will remind me of the power and grace one can find in stillness. Reminding me and those who witness that this right here is urgent and needs attention, like the red bubbles that pop up on your app to show your notifications. There are two months in which we see red the most: February for Valentines (also my birthday month) and December. I want you to focus on stillness. Ask yourself, What do I notice myself thinking about when I am completely still?

More about AnamolousMag -https://skskinco.wixsite.com/anomalous

Muse: Saturn @saturnmakeup + @saturnspoet

"If I Die I'm A Legend: A Tale of Orisha, Hoodoo, and #BlackLivesMatter

A historical diagram of afro-futuristic existence, this immersive theater work provides a look into Street Deities and their relationships to the lineage of diasporic people. Audiences will witness the creation of a #blacklivesmatter #shrine after traveling through #blackpower portals. Portals that provide a space where marginalized voices can respond to corporate white supremacist efforts of gentrification, erasure and appropriation.

feat:

Darrell Kinsel

Anqwenique Wingfield

Corey J. Carrington

Julie Mallis

Shad Ali

Mario Quinn

Bekezela Mguni

If I Die I'm A Legend: A Tale of Orisha, Hoodoo, and #BlackLivesMatter was the winner of the 2016 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival "Best in Show Selke Award" and is supported by The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments through the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Fund.

Follow BOOM Concepts for more."

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/287887521933645/?active_tab=discussion

Location: Community Forge, Pittsburgh, PA

Nov 17, 2018

Devil Queen: Michelle, Year 2
Muse: Michelle Villada, https://www.villadamichelle.com/

We are going to keep this tradition of photographing Michelle's extravagant costumes on Halloween. You can see last years HERE. Love love allla her.*

Location: Arnold Arboretum
October 31, 2018

An Ode To Natural Bloom 

"She reminded me
of the horizon, striking
yet unreachable."
Haiku #2 from Constellations by Black V3nus

Muses:
Tori (IG: t.banks)
Hazel (IG: hazelbanks_ )

Location: Fenway/ Back Bay, Boston, MA
October 15, 2017

Mettle (n) a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way.

Black Womyn's Mettle means strength, growth, eternity and infinity.

Muses:
Monah (IG: @monahlyan )
Monah Lyan
Saturn (IG: @saturnmakeup @saturnpoet ) Ashley J Cooper

Location: Kenmore, Boston, MA
March 23, 2018

Rocky​ for The Boston Voyager

*We took about 300 shots and these are my favorite hands down, unedited*

Follow him on IG/Twitter @rockycotard

Check out his portfolio: www.rockycotard.com

Read the article: http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/art-life-rocky-cotard/

Location: Cambridge, MA

August 17, 2018

Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant PT 3: NYC Fall Edition

Explored my neighborhood for things that resemble my growth. "Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant" 
New York City, New York
September 23-4, 2017

Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant PT 2: Fall Edition

Explored my neighborhood for things that resemble my growth. "Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant" 
Brighton, MA
September 10, 2017

Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant PT 1: Summer Edition

Explored my neighborhood for things that resemble my growth. "Beautiful, Staggered & Surely Constant" 
Brighton, MA
August 10, 2017

Celebrating Generations of Women: Tiffanie and the Allen Family Muses: Tiffanie Allen ( IG: @ yogasutra @ justthankme Brittanie Allen Mamma Allen (T & B's mother)

Locations: Dorchester, MA Nashoba Valley Winery and Orchard, Bolton, MA

October 8, 2017 (And Wish Tiffanie a Happy Birthday coming up this Wednesday 10/11/17)

She as Melodious w/ MonahLyan, Iris Creamer, and Jesscx​

Edit/original

Definition: (adj.) 1. of the nature or characterized by melody

MonahLyan: @monahlyan

Iris Creamer: @creamer1

Jesscx: @jesscx_

Location: Boston, MA

April 2018

Electromagnetic*Black*Love👏🏾

(Complete Collection)
*Includes edited and unedited versions*

Muses: Jessica (IG: @jesscx_ ) and
Myles ( IG: @colefromboston )
Location: Brighton, MA
August 15, 2017

“Self expression is a tricky

thing. Just as you start to feel

comfortable with yourself after years

of not, you then have to justify

yourself to other people.”

― Yrsa Daley-Ward, bone

Erica Imiosi (IG: @ juustanyearoldmind )

Location: Downtown Boston, MA

“Self expression is a tricky

thing. Just as you start to feel

comfortable with yourself after years

of not, you then have to justify

yourself to other people.”

― Yrsa Daley-Ward, bone

Muse: Tiara Breanae (IG: Tiara_Breanae_ )

Location: Dorchester, MA

“Self expression is a tricky

thing. Just as you start to feel

comfortable with yourself after years

of not, you then have to justify

yourself to other people.”

― Yrsa Daley-Ward, bone

Muses: Monah (IG: @ monahlyan)
Erica I. ( @ juusanyearoldmind )

Location: Dorchester, MA

This series is very experimental and powered by local artists collaborating on their art. Each Friday of July we, two artists, a digital artist and a photographer, are collaborating with local artists (photographers, musicians, models, poets, sculptors, and on and on) in order to do live illustrations and photographs for these upcoming summer Fridays. Its more of art-trade so unpaid. 

Each Muse In this Series takes Four Portraits: During the session, nature portrait, mango nudity, and the final digital portrait.  (Why choose 1? Discipline? Nah.) 

(Album also includes photos that I just liked from the day)

If you're in Boston/Cambridge and interested in being involved, comment or message me your availability✨

More from her: Follow Naijah Nin
(same on IG)
More from me: AfroCentered Medi
(same on IG)  

Muses:
Karim (IG: @ retr0spect_ )
Mars (IG: @ rad_sista )
Aric (IG: @ ariccrowe )
Harocaz (IG: @ harocaz )
Isabel (IG: @ pusha_hoe)
Layor (IG: @ layor_g / pinkgriffin )
Naijah (IG: @ naijahnine) 
Danielle (IG: @ httpyelli )
Khadija (IG: @ punqros3 )

My family, close and extended <3

Roslindale, MA

November 24, 2017

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE!
I BEAT THE BEAT WIT NOOOO JUICE!
I REP THE BLACK AND WHITE SUITES!
THAZ WHY MY MOMMA CALL ME.....BEETLEJUICE

Beetlejuice Editorial Costume Designs and Muse: Michelle Villad
Page: Villada Michell 
Website: http://www.villadamichelle.com/

Muse/Musical Inspiration: Olivia McClendo
Page: Billy Dean Thoma
Website: http://billydeanslist.com/

CHECK OUT THE NEW TRACK AND VIDEO for “BEETLEJUICE” prod. by Robert Gisser
Video by Tazer Landow Kayhl Cooper

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PXOxMo7f2E

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/billydeanslist/beetlejuice-prodnamastehumble

October 31, 2016

Location: Milton Cemetery, MA

Home is Where The Art Is 

Concept photoshoot for new music by @ Jesscx_

Muse/Stylist: Jessica J. 
(Soundcloud @ jesscx
/ IG: @jesscx_)
Dorchester, Boston, MA
April 23, 2017

This is a project that has been spearheaded by me, as the summer 2016 Assistant Curator at the Inner City Sanctuary for the Arts. Through this project, I sought to uplift and highlight the voices of some of the talented artists that have come to share their positive energy in the Inner Sanctum. This gave them an outlet to express themselves about the state of the world and how we as artist can take positive action. The backdrop of each photo is especially important because it is a communal art piece that has turned into a lovely collage of color and love. Each artist displayed here has shared their contact information and are open to collaboration, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you see someone with similar interests. Thank you to those who participated and will in the future. Much much love. 

Trippy

Kenyah (thelastgekko)

Zala

Chris Grant

Brian M.

Yabasha

Jesus

Mala

Joanne Elie

Elyssa

Adonis

KeiKei

Melissa I. 

Yuri

Dora

Jamilah

Karim

and

Jonathan 

Thank you

July 2016

This month I celebrate black boys and men. This is meaningful to me and my muses. They feel and show joy and love. Thank you <3

alternate names for black boys 

1.   smoke above the burning bush
2.   archnemesis of summer night
3.   first son of soil
4.   coal awaiting spark & wind
5.   guilty until proven dead
6.   oil heavy starlight
7.   monster until proven ghost
8.   gone
9.   phoenix who forgets to un-ash
10. going, going, gone
11. gods of shovels & black veils
12. what once passed for kindling
13. fireworks at dawn
14. brilliant, shadow hued coral
15. (I thought to leave this blank
       but who am I to name us nothing?)
16. prayer who learned to bite & sprint
17. a mother’s joy & clutched breath
-by Danez Smith 

April 1: Samuel Victoria (IG: @ sv_theradical)
April 2: Tyson Thomas (IG: @ tysonnewmanthomas )
April 3: Kenyah Browne (IG: @ thelastgekko)
April 4: Myles Pratt (IG: @ colefromboston / @ starfoxsixtynine)
April 5: Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah (IG: @ leunamme.y)
April 6: Fake Winston (IG: @ fakewinston)
April 7: Shawn (IG: @ spicedman)
April 8: Jae Blake  (IG: jae.tgk)
April 9: Marvin Baldío (IG: Badio88)
April 10: Ronald Coren (email)
April 11: Kenyah and Myles (IG: @ thelastgekko / @colefromboston)
April 12: Daouda Seck
April 13: Cliff Notez (IG: @ cliffnotez)
April 14: Jourdan Christopher (IG: jo.christopher)
April 15: Cagen Luse (IG: @ cagenmiles
April 16: Devon A. (IG: @ noved__ )
April 17: Marquis A. (IG: @ 91Midnight)
April 18: Geordan Maxwell (IG: Brightside_max24) 
April 19: Deangelo J. (@ kasper_kole)
April 20: Tony Emmanuel
April 21: TJ and Carlisha (IG: / @big.beautyy)
April 22: Billy Dean (IG: @billydeanthomas ) 
April 23: Jay )IG: @ king_jst3)
April 24: James B. (IG: @ eudesejames )
April 25: Patrick Sylvain (email only)
April 26: Sidney Lamage (IG: sidlimage )
April 27: Antonio Irons (IG: Tonytheguitarkid)
April 28: Eddie M. ( @eddiemaisonet_storyteller) 
April 29: Baby Christian and Family (No IG, cause he's a baby but parents are Kerrilee and Romie) 
April 30: Radcliffe, Andrew, and Brandon Angus (my father and two brothers)

PC: Tyahra (IG: @afrocentered / @afrocenteredmedia) 
Massachusetts
April 2017

Title: Fully Unbalanced pt.1 + 2
Description: understanding the uncertainties of life and how often awkwardness and confusion are direct results from these inconsistentes. 

Muse/Stylist: Pauline (IG: conformingsucks)

PC: Tyahra (IG: AfrocenteredMedia / afrocentered) 

Location: Brighton, MA
March 26, 2017

Harvard Square

April 8, 2017