Ruth E. Carter is the genius behind the Afrofuturistic costumes featured in Marvel Studios’ genre-defining blockbuster Black Panther. Growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts, a small town in western New England, Ruth Carter was in the perfect place to experience the beauty of the arts—it was a bus trip to Broadway in New York. Read More . . .

Angelique Michelle is the CEO of iCONiQ Style and Maria V. Williams is the CEO of LITTLE m STYLE. These two entrepreneurial stylists have recently come together to form a new image consulting and wardrobe styling firm. “We brought our love and compassion for fashion and created a dynamic duo that has now curated beautiful wardrobes for hundreds of movie cast members and over 10 film and theater productions,” Maria says. Read More . . .

Stylist Jennifer Koch doesn’t stay in one place, which makes her somewhat of a nomad. For over 15 years, Jennifer has worked in the fashion industry, starting with Saks Fifth Avenue at the age of 21. She made her way to Paris, France, to work in PR and traveled to Bali, Indonesia, to start her own bespoke women’s fashion brand. Stylegasm, her most recent venture, is her personal stylist brand. Read More . . .

Entrepreneur Ethan Evans says he started out on a rough path. He left home at the age of 15, had a kid, and did whatever he could do to make money. By the time he was 18, he was indicted with five felonies. The trial went on for 2 and a half years before the charges were reduced. By the grace of God, he was sentenced to 15 years with 15 suspended and 5 years of probation. Read More . . .

Daniel Crawford, the founder and creator of the Richmond-based clothing brand Crewel & Unusual, grew up watching his mother make their family clothes. “I think some of it started there without me really knowing,” he says. As a teenager, Daniel would use an inkjet printer to make iron-on t-shirts for himself. Many years later, he worked at a monogramming shop where he embroidered initials on baby apparel and accessories. Read More . . .

Shrimp Omelet Creole

“My cooking career started with a French omelet. This dish is a nod to the 3 eggs that changed my life.”

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The Origin Project was founded by Executive Director Nancy Bolmeir Fisher and critically acclaimed author Adriana Trigiani ten years ago in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. “The Origin Project is a year-round in-school writing project,” Adriana says. “We began with 40 students in southwest Virginia and now serve 27 schools and 2500 students across the state from grades 2-12.” Read More . . .

Fashion designer Willi Smith’s influence on fashion culture and streetwear is unparalleled. His clothing line, WilliWear, grossed over $25 million in revenue at its peak in the late 1980s. In 1965, Smith attended Parsons School of Design on a scholarship after completing an internship with Canadian couturier Arnold Scaasi. Smith’s grandmother was a housekeeper for one of Scaasi’s clients. Read More . . .

Over the past few days I have been reflecting on our ancestors and how so many people came together to make the world special.  Recently I was able to spend a few hours with the great sculptor – Richard Hunt – and was moved by the way he told stories with metal and fire. His art forms have a way of dancing even though they are still objects. Read More . . .