Some people curate content.Dejáy Duckett curates consciousness. In an age where attention spans are short and memories are disposable, her work reminds us that Black art is not decoration—it’s documentation. It tells the truth. It holds the line. It says, “We were here. And we mattered.” As the Director of Curatorial Services at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Dejáy has spent the last four years transforming gallery walls into sacred space. Through powerful exhibitions like Collective Conscious and Self …
Through His Lens : John Crooms & the Soul of Atlanta
There are people who shape culture by being loud.And then there are those who shape it by seeing. John Crooms is one of the latter.A man with a camera, a quiet conviction, and a gift for preserving the pulse of Atlanta—frame by frame. For over two decades, John has stood behind the lens while history happened in front of it. His work has become a living archive of Black brilliance, resistance, and rhythm. In a city that …
Baker’s Revenge : The Electro Architect Who Turned Setbacks into Sonic Legacy
For this installment of Fresh Since 79™, I want to honor a pioneer whose impact on music stretches far beyond beats per minute. One of the godfathers of electronic dance music—and a legend whose influence is felt across genres, cultures, and continents—Arthur Baker. When most people hear electronic dance music, they immediately think of modern-day EDM. But real heads know: electronic dance is a lineage, not a trend. Long before the drops and neon stages, there were visionaries …
Marsha’s Mission
Being that this is Women’s Health Awareness Month, I felt compelled to spotlight someone in my circle who embodies the true harmony of physical, mental, and spiritual health. It didn’t take long for me to land on my good friend—who I affectionately call “Naptown’s Finest”—Marsha Shackleford. Marsha is someone I’d seen in the community for years. Her presence was undeniable—strong, radiant, magnetic. Many might attribute that aura to her Leo sun, a sign we share. And like two positive magnets, …
We Been Hanging : The Gallery That Gave Us Eyes
Some people grow up with crayons and cartoons.I grew up with color. Texture. Linework. Story. I grew up with October Gallery. Tucked inside the heart of Philadelphia and rooted in the soul of our people, October Gallery wasn’t just a space to buy art—it was a school of thought. A sanctuary. An archive. And for me, a classroom where Black brilliance hung on the walls and whispered it’s lessons. Before I knew what a curator was, I …