Identity and Creativity.
Creativity plays a significant role in how we view ourselves and our communities. This quarter’s issue highlights a group of artists who intersect heritage, beliefs, and lifestyle into their work, helping to reshape how we see the world and the people in it.
Myles Grier
Actor/Filmmaker Myles Grier discusses his new project “Remember to Breathe in the Dark,” the need for black men to embrace their vulnerability, and his participation in the live production of “The Lion King” on the social media app Clubhouse.
Dui Jarrod
Writer/Filmmaker Dui Jarrod discusses his process for developing a great story, his Emmy-nominated series, King Ester, and how he uses stories to progress the “black narrative.”
Yasmin Yassin
Photographer Yasmin Yassin discusses her photography roots, inspirations, and how she incorporates her science background to shape her photography style.
Gilles
Atlanta rapper Gilles discusses his hip-hop beginnings, the highs and lows of being an independent artists, and how he balances his rap stardom pursuits with being a practicing attorney.
Dungeon Forward: #ARTBLK
South Florida-based headwear brand Dungeon Forward introduces “the Black Artist Collective”, a limited-edition capsule featuring collaborations with four Black artists whose work boldly captures black creativity and heritage in new collectible crowns for the culture.
Todd Snyder X Brooklyn Circus
Ouigi Theodore of the menswear brand Brooklyn Circus joined forces with American fashion designer Todd Synder to deliver a premium capsule collection of varsity jackets, sweaters, sweat separates, and tees for Champion.
The works must be conceived with fire in the soul but executed with clinical coolness
-Joan Miró
Editor’s Notes
Hey. It’s been a while.
In 2018, I decided to take a few months off to figure out my next move with the platform. The demands of running The Grey District as a one-person show had begun to take a toll on me mentally, physically, and creatively. I figured I would take some time to regroup and refocus on how to take the platform to the next level. Well, those few months turned into two years, and it has been quite a journey to get back here, but WE ARE BACK.
Here are a few things I learned along the way:
Bouncing Back is hard.
Getting back into the groove of things was not an easy task. I have had several false starts. I would set a deadline, I would set another deadline, and somehow life would always get in the way. The amount of effort and work it takes to run The Grey District is daunting, and I had to re-discipline myself to meet the demands of producing an issue. That also meant being realistic about what I can handle and making the necessary changes to execute successfully.
It takes a team.
A word to anyone who is building something special. “You cannot do it alone”.
I am thankful for my ever-growing community who feel as passionate about the need for platforms like The Grey District and have stepped in to assist with anything I need.
Go back to where you started.
Keeping your purpose at the forefront of your mind is so paramount.
My purpose is straightforward: use this platform to promote and show appreciation to artists doing innovative work at every level (emerging or established) in their field.
That simple purpose has led me to interview an Oscar winner (Matthew Cherry), an iconic fashion designer (Karl Kani), one of the most prolific street photographers of the past 40 years (Jamel Shabazz), and a host of amazing creatives. I know if I remain focused on the task, it will take me far.
Action over perfection.
It is better to put it all out there and get better as you go than waiting for something to be perfect. (Even if the perfectionist in me is internally yelling.)
The best is yet to come.
Dui Jarrod, one of this Quarter’s features, once told me, “You have an amazing eye; I don’t know what you are going to do with, but you have an eye.” That comment stays with me when I doubt myself. It reminds me that I have something innately special, but I must work hard to cultivate it and translate that skill to dynamic work.
I am proud of this issue and the restart of this journey. I have many cool ideas, and I am excited to produce all the great content that will birth from them. Most importantly, I am happy to get back to providing creatives with a platform to tell their stories to inspire others to bring more art and more beauty into this world.
- Antonio L. Rainey, Creator/ Content Strategist