BXB's 2016 Reel & 2017 And Onward

Thank You, 2016.

I love you with all of my heart.

It was a time to learn on the fly, work smarter, think bigger, push boundaries, reject falsehoods, demand justice, reclaim narratives, and simply leave your mark as the greatest version of yourself on the world's largest public stage (The Internet).

Humanity is incredible. We lost the world's most beloved leaders and ushered in a new generation of our very own. We created new platforms to express ourselves, challenge old world powers, redefine norms, and got a new Frank Ocean album all in the same year. 

So, enjoy a year of life behind the still frame and assignments: a year classified by the celebration of witness and raw autobiography in today's evolving culture of movement and change. 

Posture & Portraiture

Currently, I am doing a portrait/interview series with practicing artists of color called Posture & Portraiture. From photographers to dancers, illustrators, filmmakers, I'm seeking multi-generational artists to share their stories on the practice and experience of working within - and on the margins - of the art world.

Interested? Book a session with me here.

Closure

I don't talk about my mother anymore. The year after she died, I wrote this long-form reflection on her death and what I learned from it. But words couldn't express who she truly was, only imagery could do that. So, when I first started documenting my life in high school, I wanted to capture everything that I felt represented who I was and what I wanted to become. I wanted to be just like my mother. She expressed her identity through interior design, dressing my home's walls with bright colored paint and souvenirs from her travels around the world. Amongst other rooms in our home, she made it a point to create an atmosphere of awe and wonder through the discovery of culture in the arts - whether through paintings, sculptures, cuisine - she was a master of engagement. Visitors would be captivated by her keen imagination of what the world looks like through the eyes of an old soul nomad.

Last month, I visited my family's house during Open Doors exhibition weekend and uncovered a whole collection of photos from my first few years of making photographs. Of all the scenes I saw, I was taken off guard at the last frame - a picture of my mother smiling into my lens, her essence crystalized inside that authentic gaze I grew up knowing, adoring and inspired by. 

These photos represent my story in the age of becoming who I am today. Irregardless of how I've transitioned into this world as an artist, I am thankful for the experiences that have led me here. 

Here's a brief, non-linear narrative of growing up Black, Queer and Suburban in NJ from 2006-2009: 

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The BXB Collective Presents: Speak My Mind: A Narrative Series on Black Women Artists In America

Hey World.

It's been a very long, long year.

Especially for Black folks. 

And no, I am not going to sit here and drown you out with my theory, history or perspectives on all the horrible and troubling things that occur in Black America or Black life. In a world that keep us boxed up inside a constant state of fear and trauma, I'm keeping it one hundred, this post has no room for that.

"A Seat at the Table" Digital Album Available Now!

"A Seat at the Table" Digital Album Available Now!

One afternoon on the hottest day of July of this year, I stood in front of my mirror and just...cried. Straight fetal position, shaking, mourning and cried myself a river in my room. I had no sense of place and no reason to be or become. I had no idea of what I wanted in the world, let alone from the world. I couldn't articulate my feelings and perspective in a neat verbiage that could help transcend this meaning beyond like-minded people. I became brittled (and weary) from the pains of the world. And then out of nowhere, an idea pops in my head and tells me to just say what I mean. To stop with the filters and apologies and explaining. My mind told me different: "Turn that pain into power."

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The BXB Collective is excited to announce Speak My Mind, a three-day multimedia exhibition featuring the works of rising black women in the contemporary art world. Beyond providing a platform for Black women to be themselves, speak as loud as they want, no matter who is in the room. This exhibition was made to change the way you see people like me. And I hope it can transform current attitudes toward Black women as a whole and their role in the world.

We will debut the first installment of our series at this year’s Open Doors Citywide Arts Festival in Newark, NJ from October 21st - 23rd.

Join us for a weekend full of inspiring imagery, healing music, and thought-provoking conversation brought to you by an emerging generation of Black artists in America.

This weekend was made possible with the support by Gallery Aferro, Newark Arts Council & Museache.

To RSVP, visit speakmymind.splashthat.com

Photo Folk: an afternoon with local creatives in the northside

There are some great spirits that live here in the northside that I've had the privilege to learn from, spend time with and discover new terrain in their neighborhoods. 

Meet Matthew. He's an educator, cultural enthusiast and talented creative from the Northside. We were introduced via Legacy last weekend on a photo walk around the neighborhood. We journeyed through alley ways with marvelous murals and ventured into a barbershop that housed some hidden history of the northside.

Be sure to listen to my new curated playlist series, Anthems + Jams, I recently published on my ethnographic hip-hop blog, Blackcongolese.com, to give these images some life. To listen, click here.

Peace,

-N.

Pollen's Work Redux: Confidence

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to join Pollen for their Work Redux, a signature event series made to "bring together hundreds of women spanning diverse backgrounds to reimagine the future of the workplace." Held at Machine Shop, the new and historic venue of Minneapolis hosted 250+ "Pollinates" for an insightful and engaging morning to "explore the intersections of confidence that add up to our individualized presentation as leaders."

Check out my favorite moments and captures below.

For upcoming events by Pollen, check out their site here.