HarvestGirl speaks: I love to be inspired by all things life and I love to take that and continue the process by inspiring others. I was inspired to sew about 3 years ago and was encouraged by loved ones to share my creations with you… and here we are. I put alot of love and energy into my creations and hope that you love it as much as I do. Create ~ Inspire ~ Love ~ Life On the shoot of my fashions at Mutana: For me It was amazing day! I meet some beautiful people and had such a great time shooting this with Photographer Terra Coles & Adornments by Liberation.. at Mutana’s...

Vincent Is life different for women who are darker than most? As a dark-skinned brother, I have dealt with issues relating to race and the concepts of being “black enough” or “too black” from my brothas and sistas but generally they were in the problems with my actions and not so much the darkness of my skin. Growing up, I was aware of other folks issues with their own skin color but it wasn’t until I started creating these captures for the Project that I realized how deep, pervasive and devastating the traumas were. Recently I saw the preliminary work on Bill Duke’s...

For Real Tho! paid a visit to the Naptural Roots Launch Party… It was an exciting event, celebrating the move of Naptural Roots Magazine from its original Seattle location to its new home in Atlanta. Taking place at Othello’s Event Hall in Atlanta’s West End, the spectacle takes place the night before the World Natural Hair Show. Vendors were on hand with fabulous products. Pezo Johnson from Poems Over Pistols drops by for a chat;  as does Kumi Rauf from I Love Being Black. And, of course,  Leanne Dolce the founder and publisher of Naptural Roots Magazine also stops by and shares...

Vincent It is a fabulous weekend of inspired celebration in the ATL! I know we tend to focus on the activities and events in the Atlanta area A LOT. You may (or may not) know that Atlanta is the birthplace of the Pangea’s Garden concept and while the idea is ubiquitous, most of it current contributors and cultivators are based here. And the events and gatherings that we participate in (and/or have been inspired by) are born here. The “festival season” of the ATL (which got its unofficial start with the Sweet Auburn Fest last week,) proceeds with the upcoming Malcolm X Festival...

“if it wasn’t for the modeling I would’ve never met some amazing photographers, got glimpses into other subcultures and made some great friends” Abigail Ekue At one point, I was pondering what to blog about and within minutes, Raising Hope switched to a scene of Jimmy in an art class where his girlfriend walks in as the nude art model. The moment of truth–could he date a nude model? I’ve done nude modeling since 2006. I’m not as active as I used to be because I’m more selective of the photographers I work with and the projects they present to...

Vogue Italia published a tribute to black beauties as their most recent spread featuring the awesome work of German photographer Ellen von Unwerth. Featuring models, Jeneil Williams, Cici Ali, Ubah Hassan, Gayle McDonald, Kelly Moreira, Jae Childs, R’el Dade, Jasmine Tookas, Lily Taylor, and Ariel Meredith, the playful captures are bright, colorful and extremely cool. Claire Sulmers, Editor and Chief of Fashionbombdaily.com, who crafted the article for the feature had this to say: “With bright eyes peering out under deliciously curled lashes, cheekbones and jawbones contoured as if chiseled...

“The only person on this planet that has the ability to stop your progress is you, use your obstacles as stepping stones…” – Kalonji Changa It’s not often that SHE has the opportunity to meet a man so humbly committed to our community and so clear about his vision.  Meeting Kalonji Changa was an inspiring experience that would have anyone leaving wanting to rise and “Be the Change” in their own communities.  Not many people can note as many titles on their resume as Kalonji; to include filmmaker, artist, activist, public speaker and most importantly, an organizer...

Black people need 2 see images of ourselves w/ humanity. women beautiful regardless of size, shape or complexion. men strong, sensitive & loving. parents & children caring & happy. couples in love in warm intimate moments. us as lovers, sensual & sexy but not nasty even when we’re nasty. this is not 2 say that other folks dont need 2 see themselves in certain ways. but, i dont know those ways. i DO know how my folks r being fooled by & misrepresented in arts & media. & i DO know how its affecting us. so, all the work i do is in the intention of combatting that....

Sunset Valentine’s Day, like most other holidays, has become another excuse for retailers to get you to buy, buy, buy. In fact, flower companies were the driving force behind the establishment of Valentine’s Day in countries like Sweden, where the holiday didn’t become popular until the 1960s. Love, supposedly the whole point of the day, gets lost in all the commercialism. I’m sure we’ve all heard someone say, or thought to ourselves, “Shouldn’t we tell the people we love how much they mean to us all year long?” What does it say about us if...

This is part 3 of my Sacred Sexuality Series. I have so much to say, just talking off my dome. No prepared notes or anything and there are so many connections to be made. My name is Makeda Voletta and I study the body. I am an Exercise/Sports Scientist, Sports Nutritionist which are both geared towards increasing high level performance. I am also a trained and professional dancer (currently performing and studying dances of the African Diaspora – specially Congo derived), freelance journalist, freelance Fine Art Model and a Sacred Sexual Educator. I have been involved in Sexuality Education...