Cheriss May and Zsudayka Nzinga @ BZB Holiday Gala Fine Art Show

Cheriss May

"Cheriss May is a lauded portrait and editorial photographer based in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Board of Directors — Focus on the Story, the immediate past president — Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW), co-chair of photography — The National Press Club, an Adobe Education Leader, and an adjunct professor at Howard University, her Alma Mater. She is often commissioned to speak about inclusive storytelling, and trains and speaks to organizations, and educators around the world, including: Spotify, Adobe, Leica, The Financial Times, the Center for Creative Photography, and the International Center of Photography.

Cheriss has been published in The New York Times, O Magazine, The White House website, People magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, ABC News, The Today Show, and other international publications. She has a traveling exhibit and forthcoming book, "Cheriss May Soul Connection". Cheriss has images in a BET social justice campaign: ‘Content for Change’, and her work is in the permanent collection at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY.

Originally from Kansas City, Mo., Cheriss's passion radiates through her aptitude to connect to the soul of those she photographs. She is available for commissions, assignments, and unit stills for TV/film."

Zsudayka Nzinga

"Zsudayka Nzinga is a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator and arts educator from Aurora, CO living in Washington, DC. She considers her work cultural anthropology, largely focusing on mixed media portraiture and interior design installations that reflect American culture. Her pieces explore mixing patterns and textures to create collages using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand dyed paper, fabric, thread, linocut stamp and ink on canvas. She also makes metal jewelry and builds, and reupholsters found furniture.

Nzinga started out as a spoken word artist and performer. While attending Hampton University and Metropolitan State College of Denver she pursued a journalism degree and self-published 3 books of her work. She spent several years touring the country performing, hosting and curating spoken word and special arts events before focusing on her own art. She has shown her work and performed in galleries and museums all over the country and been featured internationally in blogs and reviews. She has curated multiple exhibitions, received a curatorial grant with the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities. She served on the board for Freedom School Arts and Entrepreneurship, served as Vice President of Black Artists of DC and participates with the exhibition committee Women’s Caucus for Art DC. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist, James Terrell with whom she runs their family business selling and exhibiting their art, managing their merchandise line, and assisting teachers and homeschool families with arts integrated education.

Her interest in fabric and textiles is why her subjects are clothed in intricately designed patterns. The designs mimic the history and style of African Ankara fabric and introduces bright color and patterns to high end clothing designs. She has recently begun recreating the designs for a clothing and home décor line using textile designs created from the artwork of her and her husband. Her pieces are to create a narrative and archive of Black American history, identity and culture."

30th Annual BZB Shop til Ya Drop!

NOV 25-26th Black Friday & Saturday

SATURDAYS

Dec 3rd

Dec 10th

Dec 17th

Friday & Sat (Christmas Eve)

Dec 23-24

Shiloh Baptist Church

1510 9th Street NW(9th & P Sts)

Washington DC 20001

https://bzbinternational.com/

I paint

I paint with either my hands or paint brush. Just ask questions if you do not know. I paint because growing up in America as a black female was not easy for me. Therefore, I painted how I felt about my life, my experiences, and my world. "The only thing I know is that I paint because I have the need to, I always paint what goes through my head without any other consideration. ” - Frida Kahlo

Peacock

“The female peacock, also known as a peahen, can also represent inner beauty and self-love. Beauty: Peacocks' iridescent feathers can symbolize external beauty and capture attention. However, peacocks can also remind us that true beauty comes from within, and that nurturing our souls can enhance our outer appearance. Self-love: Peacocks can represent the importance of self-love and acceptance.” “Important qualities in the workplace include self-expression, optimism, individuality, personal reflection, being observant, and passionate. Self-expression can foster inclusivity and empowerment. Optimism involves expecting positive outcomes and growth. Individuality means bringing your whole self to work or fostering an individualist culture. Self-reflection aids personal and professional growth. Being observant helps notice details others may miss. Passion in the workplace involves finding meaning and approaching work with focus.” Dynamic and passionate individual with a strong focus on

NationHouse

NationHouse Positive Action Center, private African - American school originally located at 770 Park Rd NW in Washington, D.C. I had the opportunity to attend this school from 1978 - 1991. Some of my teachers while I was a student at NationHouse include Baba Agyei Akoto, Mama Nkechi Taifa, Mama Afia Nson Bonsu and Baba Michael Anthony - Brown artist. "Baba Agyei Akoto was a respected scholar, educator, institution builder and author. He was the principal of NationHouse Positive Action Center – which has provided a rigorous African-centered education to students ranging from pre-school through high school, for over thirty eight years." Baba Agyei recently passed on December 4, 2019. "Mama Nkechi Taifa is a native Washingtonian and life-long resident of the District of Columbia. She is a social justice attorney, activist, author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. She serves as a Senior Policy Analyst for an international foundation and convenes a W

Why Work with Women and Girls?

" As women, we have been taught to always compete with each other and compare ourselves on the basis of the way we look and act. Working with each other closely kills that way of thinking, empowers us and helps us create together in an environment that we feel safe in." Therefore, working with women and girls not helps me to empower them to feel good about themselves, but to heal themselves from trauma and other experiences that they may encountered. Organizations such as Esther Productions, Inc and the African American Women's Resource Center allowed me to work with a diverse set of women and girls from different backgrounds and sexual orientation beliefs. In 2004, I began to work with Esther Productions, Inc and from 2017 - 2018, I provided services for the African American Women's Resource Center. Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles—traditional and nontraditional—to develop communities throughout the United States and Europ

WRITING AND STRAWBERRY SHAKE SUNDAYS

Join Stacey Clark, Joy Jones, along with Jonetta Barras and Dr. Tracie Renee Robinson on June 10, 2022. Photo found on the Internet Stacey Clark, MEd, CALD, is a Certified Authentic Lifestyle Design Coach who lives in Fort Worth, TX. She returns to The National Reconciliation Week, offering insight and information about the importance of forgiveness in the reconciliation process. A social entrepreneur and author, Clark is the executive director of a national nonprofit that provides coaching and consulting services. As a personal development coach and consultant, she combines her knowledge of IT, project management, communications, and training with her research in positive psychology, neurology, and wellness to offer women of all ages and from all walks of life the opportunity and access to grow, transform and thrive in their lives. The executive director and founder of Leap L

Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life

Summer Blossoms. Acrylic on Canvas. 14 * 18. Afrika Abney Summer Blossoms, abstract finger painting created on canvas using colors that represent the Summer. Featured on the cover of a book and the painting is entitled: Summer Blossoms. It is entitled: Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life Feb 19, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST virtual event In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic a group of women gathered online to write and share poetry in a workshop launched by Esther Productions Inc. The event was titled Women are Poetry In Motion. Participants continued to meet and the group evolved into the Kaleidoscope Writing Collective--seven women writers in various stages of their development exploring their creativity and sharing their vision. Come on February 19 at 3 pm come experience Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life. Introduction to first book, Kaleidoscope by Joy Jones, director of the performance poetry group, The Spoken Word and founder of the multige

African Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition

A frican Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition Mar 02, 2024, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM EST 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, USA COME LEARN THE STORY AND LEGACY OF WASHINGTON, DC’S AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE—Past and Present, including May Miller Sullivan, Sterling Brown, Maxine Clair, Gwendolyn Brooks, Daphne Muse, Lucille Clifton, Eloise Greenfield, Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Jennifer Lawson, Courtland Cox, Adjoa Burrowes, E. Ethelbert Miller, Carolivia Herron, Aisha Rice, Tricia Elam Walker, jonetta rose barras, Sheila Crider, David Miller, Michelle Meadows, Leah Henderson , Michelle Green, Lakia Wilson and others. This event is curated by award-winning author and public scholar jonetta rose barras in partnership with humanities scholar Bernard Demczuk Ph.D. ,The Black Student Fund, The Institute for African American Writing, Teaching for Change, Social Justice Books, Buck Wild Media, and Lesa Warrick. Major funding has b

LUNCH TIME CONVERSATION BETWEEN SHARON BELL MATHIS AND E.ETHELBERT MILLER at Trinity

Join Sharon Bell Mathis and Ethelbert Miller for LUNCH TIME CONVERSATION which is apart of the African Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition which is scheduled to take place on March 2, 2024 at Trinity Washington University. "Sharon Bell Mathis has won numerous awards for her many children's books, including the 1974 Coretta Scott King Author Award for RAY CHARLES. Some of her most enduring books include The Hundred-Penny Box, a Newbery Honor Book, and Teacup Full of Roses, an ALA Notable Book. A full-time writer, Mathis lives in Ft. Washington, Maryland." Photo credit from Internet Ethelbert Miller is a memoirist, award-winning poet and 2022 Grammy nominee for the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album--Black Men Are Precious-- will be the guest speaker for the workshop, providing insights and tips into memoir writing. Mr. Miller is the author of two memoirs and several collections of poetry. He also is the editor of three anthologies of poetry.

My Charter School Experiences

In 1992, I did not attend a charter school. I have had a wide range opportunities that took place at various schools. I have not provided any services for schools as a consultant for a while. Among them include when I served as a substitute teacher for Mundo Verde PCS in 2013, I can recall working with some of the students and staff and sharing my passion and extensive background in visual arts. Additionally, I can recall when I served as a substitute teacher for DC International School. I knew a little bit of Spanish, but as a professional visual artist, I really enjoyed sharing my love and extensive background in visual arts with the students and some of the staff members at DC International from 2016-2017. Also when I served as an art elective Summer Camp teacher for Higher Achievement in 2013, the program took place at Center City Capitol Hill Campus. Providing each of these services in the past were a great opportunity for me. However, since these experiences, I have directed my s

Ms. Afrika Abney - Consultant Branding Blog

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