🚨 New headshots alert 🚨 A few weeks ago, Jonny Echevarría and I wandered around my Brooklyn neighborhood in the rain. Between dodging puddles, we shared our anxieties about the impending election, bonded over our experiences as queer men of color navigating the arts, and swapped stories of hilariously awkward professional moments. Somewhere between the laughter and what felt like impromptu therapy sessions, he managed to capture these incredible shots of me. I asked Jonathan to photograph me because I’m diving into a new project, @northstar_nyc, and envisioning the next phase of my career—with two exhibitions opening next year. Let’s be honest: the pandemic selfie that I’ve been using since 2020 was no longer servicing me. Huge thanks to Jonathan for braving the rain, finding my light, and proving that it really does take a Jonathan to truly understand a Jonathan.

Artist Gustavo Nazareno created the cover of the latest issue of the @infs_journal on Afro-Brazilian fashion, which I edited. Titled “Uma ave vermelha vestida de branco” ("A Red Bird Dressed in White"), the painting is rooted in the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé. It references the story of a daughter of the orisha Exu who divides the ori (spiritual identity) with the orisha Oxalá. Exu is represented by the red bird while Oxalá is represented with the white in her attire, which is significant in Candomblé ceremonies during which white clothing is a requisite. This painting reflects Nazareno's moody aesthetic, which is informed by his Afro-Brazilian heritage and spiritual beliefs as well as a profound appreciation for fashion imagery. Using symbolism and vibrant colors, Nazareno's art combines his Afro-Brazilian identity and spirituality with his love for culturally informed color theory and adornment.

@AkunyiliCrosby also includes careful representations of African textiles and fashion in her artworks.

This is Elizabeth Way, @museumatFIT associate curator, and I in conversation at last night's event. We chatted about the role of fashion and self-presentation as a form of protest in black communities. Thank you to all who attended 🙏🏿 Elizabeth and I will again be in conversation tonight, alongside @CFDA President CaSandra Diggs and designer Shawn Baron Pinckney, at 3:30pm at the Trabant Theater at the @UDelaware. This event will focus on Elizabeth's curatorial work on the pioneering African American designer Ann Lowe.

I visited @maya_varadaraj's show "No Feeling Is Final," a profoundly personal exhibition of her latest artworks. The ground floor features a grand hall of floor-to-ceiling family portraits, leading to her own regal self-portrait. This deliberate progression underscores Maya's inclination to anchor her creative expression in her own life experiences. Maya's art draws deep inspiration from her life, inviting viewers to reflect on their own identities and places in the world. For example, the second floor focuses on a series of portraits of her and her partner, evoking a potent mix of ennui and curiosity. A notable addition to her practice is ceramics—a medium that adds dimension to her creative exploration of grief. Ultimately, "No Feeling Is Final" is a masterclass in transforming vulnerability into a superpower.