Saxophonist Eric Darius knew he had to work harder than everyone else to become a great musician. He grew up inspired by the saxophone greats before him: John Coltrane, David Sanborn, Grover Washington, Jr., and Cannonball Adderley, among others. His upbringing in Tampa, Florida, was essential in developing his musical growth. He studied at the Howard W. Blake High School of the Arts in Tampa, Florida, and went on to study music at the University of South Florida. Before he reached the age of 18, he was well on his way to stardom. Read More . . .

Long before the James Beard Foundation named Kwame Onwuachi “Rising Star Chef of the Year,” Kwame was a child living with his mother and sister in a one-bedroom apartment in the Bronx. He worked alongside his mother and sister as his mother opened a catering service in their apartment. She instilled in him a sense of entrepreneurship and a passion for food. After misbehaving in school, Kwame’s mother sent him to live with family in Ibusa, Nigeria. Read More . . .

Steve Prince is an artist from New Orleans who studied fine arts and marketing at Xavier University of Louisiana. “My artistic voice and craft are steeped in the rich rue of New Orleans culture and musical traditions,” Steve says. “The kaleidoscopic colors of houses, the Mardi Gras parades, the sound of jazz lingering in the air like a thick fog, and the southern hospitality shaped my aesthetic and philosophy as a black man in America.” Steve is a deliberate and extensive researcher and continues to educate himself on the human condition. Read More . . .

Josh Merwin is a creative photographer and filmmaker from Houston, Texas. He attended the University of Colorado and currently resides in New York City, where he has lived for 14 years. “I’ve got southern hospitality, with a love of outdoors, mixed in with a sprinkle of that NYC can-do attitude,” he says. Josh uses his creative talents to create “unique sports imagery.” His work has appeared in ESPN The Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and the New York Times. He recently got into filmmaking as well. Read More . . .

Dr. Tiffany Jana is the person companies call upon to teach diversity to their current workforce. Although born in Texas, near the border of Mexico, Dr. Jana grew up between Germany and New York. “I speak Spanish and German,” Dr. Jana explains. Growing up around the cultures of New York and Germany, Dr. Jana learned how to be very direct and purposeful in life. Dr. Jana identifies as a diversity innovator, awareness artist, pleasure activist, and regenerative culture creator. “I liberate hearts and minds with joy, art, and logic,” Dr. Jana says. Dr. Jana’s company, TMI Consulting Inc., the first diversity-focused B Corporation of its kind. Read More . . .

Creole Garlic Shrimp

“This is a simple shrimp dish that my family enjoys whenever we get together!”

Read More . . .

Each month we highlight a community program that aligns with the values of SoulVision Magazine. We believe engaging with one’s community is critical to fostering positive change in the world. Podium RVA serves and empowers youth (ages 10-19) in the greater Richmond area to become “confident and capable writers and communicators with the skills necessary to succeed in college, career, and life.” Podium envisions a community where all Richmond youth have access to college application and essay expertise, career and college readiness programs, and mentoring. Read More . . .

In the span of 24 hours, America lost two civil rights heroes: C.T. Vivian and John Lewis. In our newly renamed “Legends” section, SoulVision Magazine celebrates the two icons.

Read More . . .

We lost the pioneering civil rights activist C.T. Vivian and the great champion for justice John Lewis on the same day in July. The two men were friends. We were set to run Rev. Vivian’s quote in our Living Legends section of SoulVision Magazine. We decided to run it anyway as well as a quote from John Lewis. Additionally, we are changing the name of the Living Legends section to “Legends” in honor of these civil rights icons. Here we will honor those past and present who are champions for justice and examples of being the best versions of ourselves. Read More . . .