#169: Back in the Days (Friday, March 26)

My I met Jamel Shabazz before I actually met him. In 2001, I remember going to an exhibition called Back in the Days. Being an immigrant, I didn't connect with the images in the way an American-born person from the 80s would, but seeing those images reminded me of visiting New York City in 89 and being awed by the fashion. It also reminded me of my favorite Spike Lee movie, Do The Right Thing. :) I didn't know it then, but I was viewing the work of one of the great photographers.

On another occasion, I was in a museum store leafing through the pages of A Time Before Crack. I was struck by the timeless images and how happy and relaxed everyone seemed...even if they weren't smiling. I wondered where they were, how their lives had turned out, and whether they knew that they had been memorialized in this book.

But it wasn't until 2009 that I met the man himself. Browsing the artwork at a gallery, he approached me and asked to shoot me one day. It was all I could do to compose myself to say yes; he couldn't have found a more willing subject. During our photoshoot, we talked a lot about his work and the books he had published, about how he selected his subjects and anecdotes about certain images in his books. During the brief time we spent together, he was able to get three different sets of people (twins, a couple and a young woman wearing 80s-inspired butterfly earrings) to pose for pictures. I hadn't even noticed the twins or the young woman's earrings.

But that's the person that Jamel Shabazz is; he'll inspire you with is creativity and his eye for a great photograph, but he also puts you quite at ease with his charm. I enjoyed my photoshoot with him, and it is one of those great experiences I'll remember.

So check out Mr. Shabazz' photography as well as his books. I hope he inspires you to be excellent.

#168: Arms of the Maker (Friday, March 19)

I met Donovan through my friend Charmaine (Good Friday #164). From the moment I met him, I liked him...and it wasn't just because he was Jamaican (lol). He was super friendly, and reminded me of a long-lost cousin. My admiration of him tripled when, last Halloween, he arrived at a party completely decked in bright orange polyester garb and white platform shoes, unlike the Slick Rick-, LL Cool J-esque costumes most of the other guys wore. He took a risk, committed to the outfit and wore it with confidence. Bold move, in my opinion.

So I was pleasantly surprised when, a couple months ago, I got an email that Donovan was trying to make a movie to bring awareness to suicide, child kidnapping and the like.

Check out the synopsis and help Donovan make his film at: http://www.armsofthemakermovie.com/

#167: Stay In Touch (Friday, March 12)

I'm in the process of moving, and while going through some papers, I happened upon a business card which stood out from the others in both design and color. It belonged to Chakaras, an artist whom I'd met a couple years ago. Chakaras is one of the co-founders and creative directors of Helen Marie, an interactive design and technology company he owns with his brother. (If you're wondering about the name like I did, the company's named after their late mother).

I haven't seen or been in touch with Chakaras in over a year, but finding his card reminded me how talented he was (Helen Marie is the mastermind behind the "Who Faster?" campaign for Jamaica's president, Usain Bolt LOL) and prompted me to check out the website. The team has a fantastic portfolio with clients ranging from IBM, Coco-Cola, MTV and 1-800 Flowers to Carol's Daughter and Abysinian Baptist Church. And they're a small business, based in Brooklyn, owned by two young men. The trifecta, if you ask me.

So check out Chakaras and the rest of the team at www.helen-marie.com, and remember...continue to be excellent!

#166: Bee Happy, Bee Excellent (Friday, March 5)

I can't remember exactly when I met Joshua Bee Alafia (http://www.joshuabeealafia.com/www.joshuabeealafia.com/bees_bio.html); he was one of those people who it seemed just appeared one day on my Facebook, whom I accepted 'cos I "knew him from somewhere." He's not someone I hang out with on a daily basis, or even quarterly for that matter, but when I do run into him (for example on the eve of my 30th birthday), he always brings good energy, and ALWAYS has a smile on his face.

It wasn’t until one day a couple years ago that I realized how truly talented Joshua is. I ran into him in Harlem on his way to class. ("Class", I later learned, was the one that he was teaching, thank you very much.) Then I went to see a screening of a film called Cubamor (http://beeloved-creations.com/bio.html), which I found out was his creation and I knew he was a force to be reckoned with. But Joshua is not just a one-film pony; he has written and directed a few other great films (Bold As Love, The Seed, Maybe Dreams Can Come True, etc.) and documentaries like Havana Habibi and Dub Poet.

Almost as impressive is his list of projects that are in development (http://www.joshuabeealafia.com/www.joshuabeealafia.com/projects.html), which could use your support, so check out his website (http://www.joshuabeealafia.com/www.joshuabeealafia.com/home.html) and see if you want to become an executive producer. Personally, I'm feeling the Yard one, for obvious reasons. LOL.

If you're in Brooklyn tonight, Joshua is screening The Seed at 111 Front St & Washington Henry Gregg gallery in Dumbo at 7:30pm, if you're interested. Proceeds go the Shama Foundation fundraiser for homeless youth of Addis Abbaba.

Be excellent!