On Juneteenth 2020, Hue House made another major move for the culture—starting an online publication to amplify and empower the voices of creative entrepreneurs of color often silenced or edited. Since then, The Block has become an extension of the community that was already being built through the Charlotte-based event under the same name.
We’re cultivating a community that celebrates our talent and helps Black creatives entering the game get the tools they need to succeed. And we’re grateful you’ve decided to be part of it.
As we celebrate one year in the books, take a look back at some of The Block’s most popular content. Year two is gonna be even better. This coming Monday we’ll be sharing some of what’s next—including more free opportunities to hone your creative skills. Stay tuned!
The Rise of Actor J. Alphonse Nicholson
The P-Valley actor talked to us about
“These stories deserve to be told,” he explained. “I see my family members or people that I know in the characters I play, and I am hoping that others will be able to understand what they go through every single day of their life. They face these battles for years, so I can withstand six months of playing a character to shed light on their story. The purpose is much larger than me.”
How to Win in 2021
For a lot of us, 2020 was trash. But for many, it also invigorated a newfound desire to do more and be better. Some of you launched businesses, fed a new idea, got your peace back and restored proper mental health. We posted this article right at the end of last year, but readers kept coming back to it in 2021 for more insight and inspiration.
The Art of the Pivot
We know there are tons of industries that don’t have proper representation from and for the Black community, so it was great to have Charlotte Ballet Academy Director Ayisha McMillan Cravotta on The Block to speak on what’s happening in the dance world—and how she working to provide opportunity for dancers of color.
“If we think about the paradigm of a ballerina, the image that many of us grew up with was one where ballerinas were clothed in ballet pink. It has a way of reflecting nicely the skin tone of a Caucasian ballerina. … When we place my skin in this pink, visually, my legs and other parts of me feel more divorced from the rest of my body.”
Black-Owned Photography Studios in the Southeast
When outside opened back up, y’all were clearly looking for ways to put your closet back to use. This list of Black-owned photography studios in the southeast has consistently remained a favorite this year, and we love to see it. Keep these talented photographers in mind for your next shoot, and if you have another business in mind that we should feature, contact us using this form.
>>Check out the 9 studios we mentioned.
Shoe Game Vicious: Spotlight on Melissa Chanel
Melissa Chanel’s shoe game is impressive, but the work she’s doing to empower Black women through the Kicks and Fros community far outweighs this.
“That’s the beauty of being a Black woman. … We can do it all,” she told us.
>>Read more about her mission and why it’s needed.
Fashion and Mental Health with Artist Cierra Lynn
Losing her mother and going to grief counseling forever changed the way Washington, DC visual artist Cierra Lynn creates. She opened up on The Block about how she’s incorporating self care and affirmations into her creative process. It was a beautiful interview that many of you related to.
Real Talk with Slim Hood
No matter where you live, you’ve seen a version of it: the historic Black neighborhoods and businesses you loved being wiped out or overshadowed by sleek condos and hipster coffee shops. We live in a world where change is imminent—but how can we ensure culture isn’t lost in the process? Renowned music producer Slim Hood dives into some of this, as well as how he’s stayed true to himself and the West Side community that raised him.
Comedian Tim Shropshire
There wasn’t anything funny about the pandemic, but we did find reason to laugh thanks to comedians like Tim Shropshire who kept it lighthearted when we needed it the most. Take a look back at this conversation on The Block where he talks about the art of the punchline and navigating sensitive topics in a politically correct world.
Rajah Caruth’s Journey to NASCAR
NASCAR has a diversity problem, and they know it. That’s why the franchise has been making more effort in recent years to expose young people of color to the racing industry and all that it offers. Winston Salem State University student Rajah Caruth is one rising star who we need to be supporting. When we shared some of his story on The Block, you all responded in an amazing way on social media. This video has been one of our most popular posts.
>>Read what Rajah said about the grind required to reach your goals.
Breaking Barriers in Cannabis: Q Nicole McNair
Q. Nicole McNair has made it her personal mission to provide ways for Black entrepreneurs to overcome the systemic racism and obstacles that have caused so many to fail. She owns WH Farms—a five-acre, three greenhouse licensed hemp farm in Eastern North Carolina—and produced the CBD Business Launch Kit to help others to create, launch and sell CBD products. Y’all loved this story so we’re sharing it again.
Tattoo Inspiration: The Art We Wear
Tattoos are a popular form of self expression like no other. Yet, the complexities of inking well on darker skin are often overlooked. We caught up with a few Black creatives to see what inspired their ink and how each tattoo artist brought their idea to life on skin.
