Starting in 1960, The “Black Power” movement focused on developing and promoting various resources to stimulate African American communities and provide the necessary self-sufficiency that was not present before. For the next twenty years, social activists founded and funded numerous black-owned businesses, food cooperatives, health care facilities, academic institutions, and much more.
In 2022, Black creatives have more opportunities to showcase their work and promote the culture now than ever before. To celebrate and acknowledge the progress that has been made and what we will continue to contribute, Cam Kirk Studios is highlighting “Black Creative Power” for Black History Month. We spoke with four influencers who are breaking barriers in different industries about the power they hold as pillars in the creative world.
Antoine Manning
Creative Director for Homage Year
“Black Creative Power is our ability to create things out of nothing and we’ve been doing that since day one. Since day Black people have been crafting and creating our own world to find faith and wake up every day to fight for the rights we knew was ours. We’re not runners, we’re fighters, We’re not quitters, we’re creators.”
Ryder
Visual Artist and Photographer
“My identity is my art and it's what I’m gonna leave behind. It’s how I want people to remember me. My fingerprint is on every little thing. I want people to not only see my work but feel my work because it comes from my voice.”
Siena Liggins
Pop Artist
“Black creative power to me feels like the sort of sentiment that gets Black people who are artistic or creative to band together to create unity and equity amongst the community.”
Champagne Trap
DJ
“Black people have been so innovative for as long as we’ve been on this earth, especially here in the states. There are so many things that trace back to our people and I feel like the youth just needs to continue to be more creative and figure out ways to do the things they like to do and our generation is going to lay the path for them to do that.”