This a revisit of an old friend in the Garden Shakazz of AFROCHIC. Shakazz is an African born photographer who is now based in Paris. According to Shakazz, “My concept is called AFROCHIC and it’s all about Ebony photography, entirely dedicated to my people because KINGS and QUEENS are what we are. It’s black-owned business. I work with models, artists, singers and ordinary people. “Check out my work on www.afrochic.book.fr and if you wanna get in touch, hit me on facebook at AFROCHIC. If ever you decide to come to Paris and if you like my style, feel free to contact me for...

With the temperature steadily rising as we cruise into summer, it’s only natural that things get a little steamy around here.  But when I tell you that Black on Black Rhyme’s Take a Load Off Tuesday May 18th show was hot, I don’t just mean the soft humidity that coated my skin before I walked into Studio 281.  The Tallahassee troupe, Back Talk, was in the building, and so were a lot of other talented people. The packed house helped–you know it always gets a little warmer when black folks sit close together.   The faces become more familiar each time, the embraces more...

I moved to Atlanta almost three years ago convinced that the Deep South’s biggest “black” city would give me a home with a black cultural pulse unlike any other.  She hasn’t disappointed me yet; from historically black orchestras to Sweet Auburn (which is this weekend!) to the newly reinstated Freaknik, Atlanta continually showcases the vibrant creativity we possess.  When I heard there was a convention for natural hair lovers, I could only smile.  In April, I went to my first World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show, my afro reaching toward the sun, excited to see exactly...

By Scottie Lowe TheAfrican-centered community is steeped in sexual dysfunction. For all of our efforts to rid ourselves of European cultural, social, and spiritual norms, we have denied our sexual growth by blanketing everything under the assumption that anything other than heterosexual vaginal/penal intercourse is European and thus deemed “not African”. When the African-centered community discusses sexuality, they are most often satisfied with making uninformed references to ancient sacred sexual texts from the East and asserting that those texts were stolen from Africa. We are far from healthy...

Intimate moments, alone, captured while the faint taste of incense lingers in the air. Warm soft light is ubiquitous. Long locs fall across bare shoulders while bejeweled hands dab into shay buttah so that they can spread it over the brown skin that drinks it in. Blaq Buttaphly and I were in the cool basement loft. And while we laughed and talked we created these captures that were, for me, one of the root inspirations of Pangea’s Garden. Minutes, that happen, privately, so often that their rare beauty is, easily lost in the repetition. Every now and then, I like to take a moment to capture...

the words of the Imperial Goddess… “My main goal is to live life to my best ability, just to be happy, and feel happy about what I become in the future.” “I let Got take my life in his hands… Whatever he has in store for me, thats what I will become. I don’t set goals, because you live your life trying to fulfill those goals and by doing that you let so many opportunities pass you by.” “Don’t be afraid to change coarse, do it passionately and you’ll find your way.” “I display my natural crown for all to see.” Nerissa...

Makeda is a woman of African and Native American descent. Born and raised in Harlem/Washington Heights, NYC but she currently spends time between New Orleans and NY. Makeda is dedicated student of the body and all of the methods involved with bringing the body to it’s highest level. She has a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning and a minor in Nutrition. Afterwards, she went on to complete two years of graduate work at Columbia University in Applied Physiology and Nutrition. In addition to that Makeda has done plenty of self study and considers...

By Scottie Lowe I AM my hair.  I am my naps.  I am my African wooly hair.  I am every African woman who was beaten and told that she had to cover her hair or lose her life.  I AM every slave woman who loved her nappy hair and who had to see white women and mulatto slaves get preferential treatment for having straight hair.  I will NEVER as long as I live let straight hair define my beauty. If you ever watch that show “Yo Mama” on MTV, every show, they crack on someone for having nappy hair and everyone in the audience rolls with laughter.  Anyone who finds nappy headed momma...

The words of Timothy Ivy… “In my day to day life I’m a photojournalist for various publications. For 20+ years I’ve been privileged to tell local, national and international stories with my camera. I’ve been allowed into the lives of both famous and every day people.” “In that time I’ve seen a lot of beauty and a lot of ugliness. As a way to counter-balance the ugliness I see through the lens, I engage in personal artistic projects that allow me to express more peace and beauty.” “One such project in which I’m currently engaged...

Jason Thomas is the male half of TheHalfShow.com – a variety entertainment internet radio show. But by night, by weekend, he is an actor, moviemaker, and podcaster. And while he is an avid photographer, Jason continues to focus on advancing his acting career and completing his first full-length feature film. He currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. His model for these excellent Afrocentric images is the beautiful plus size model, Naana Hayford. For more info and links on his Jason various activities as well as more info on his model, Naana, go here.