#worldofwilbekin

I grew up loving storytelling — books, magazines, TV, films, and conversations in my family homes from St. Croix to Des Moines, Iowa. But moving images — Mahogany, Roots, The Wiz, Fame and, most importantly Looking For Langston, moved my spirit and touched my soul. When @misscortes called me and asked me to work my on a documentary about the history of hip hop and fashion through the lens of women, I said: Yes! Yes! To sit at the seat of this profound storyteller and learn the art of documentary filmmaking was a blessing. I used my foundational experience of marrying hip hop and fashion during my tenure as Fashion Director and Editor in Chief of @vibemagazine and my love for storytelling to help this all womxn crew to tell the important story The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion which opened @tribeca Film Festival this week. @misahylton was the perfect subject for the main character. I then reached out to my friends — @mimivaldes @bevysmith @dapperdanharlem @kerbito @joanmorgan @museummammy @nikkiogun @clairesulmers — to speak truth to power. Thank you Lisa and @farahx for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as a creative. Misa thank you for trusting me and for sharing our Christian journey together through this process. I am humbled to be a Co-Producer and Writer of a doc premiering at Tribeca out the gate. This is the beginning of a new chapter for me and I am grateful to be able to tell stories of the marginalized and the muted. This is our time! #TheRemix #ThankYouGod #Vision #Storytelling #DreamBig #LightsCameraAction #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW
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We. Are. Native Son! This movement of Black gay men is my divine purpose and fills my spirit with pure #BlackBoyJoy Last night 20 of us went to see the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play #AintNoMo @publictheaterny created by our brilliant Brother @jordanecooper and produced by Hollywood maverick @theoriginalbigdaddy Celebrating this masterpiece on the same day @octarell_again received four @thetonyawards nominations for #ChoirBoy made the experience even more magical. And @therealgeorgefaison and @theebillyporter were in the house so it was historic. I’m grateful to bring us together and elevate our presence and visibility in this world! #Purpose #Live #Love #Serve #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon (at The Public Theater)
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Thank you @ted for creating a space that fosters intellectual, scientific and culturally dynamic conversations that globally expands hearts and minds. Being surrounded by so many brilliant beings elevates my world view, inspires my purpose and perspective, and rejuvenates my hope in humanity. I am grateful to @mimivaldes for introducing me to this creative and socially conscious community of visionaries, dreamers and doers. #TED2019 #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW (at Vancouver Convention Centre)
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We. Are. Native Son! “The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.” #JamesBaldwin When I attended @ted for the first time last year, I was impressed with the abundance of brilliance all in one place. so I gathered all the Black gay men at the conference for a @nativesonnow group photo. This year, there is double the amount of men in the photo. I am grateful that we are here representing the vastness, power and purpose of our community. Dreams can come true if you work hard, nurture them and believe in them. #TheMovement #Purpose #BlackGayMen #Representation #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon (at Vancouver Convention Centre)
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This week I have been contemplating words and narratives — my own, our Black voices (now and historically), and those of the Black gay community. I love this conversation with James Baldwin — the icon of the @nativesonnow movement — and the legendary poet (and my former babysitter) Nikki Giovanni for #SOUL @mrsoulthemovie It’s our story, our words and our experiences. “If you’re a writer you are forced to look behind the word and into the meaning of the word… There is such a thing as the living word,” says Baldwin. #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW
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My parents have been heavy on my spirit lately — my angels. When I question things along my journey, I remember to be still and very grateful for the life and lessons that these two incredible beings gave me. My standards are high because they instilled this in me. My Father’s West Indian work ethic and my Mother’s Midwestern values were the foundation for my drive, standard of excellence, and desire to give back to my community. This was how I was raised. And when I feel challenged or uncertain, I think about the courage, strength, faith and sacrifice of my parents in their pursuit of Black liberation. They gave so much of themselves to make the world a better place. It reminds me to dig deeper, to hold fast to what I believe in, and to fearlessly pursue my dreams. I am so appreciative for these mavericks, activists and revolutionaries. They bestowed their wisdom with me, I just need to remember and practice those life lessons. Axé! #LiveInGratitude #Ancestors #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW
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Declare your freedom! It’s so easy to loose yourself along the journey. Sometimes we get stuck in our own trauma trying to figure out how we go there. Or we get caught-up living other people’s lives, dreams and drama. Remember to reclaim your life, love and liberation. You don’t have to be a character in your life, you can actually drive and define your own narrative. I claim joy, balance and love! #MyLife #TheJourney #BlackBoyJoy #Life #Love #Laughter #Freedom #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW @whoiswarrenwhite
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Thank you @beyonce and Uncle Johnny. When I started the @nativesonnow movement, I thought about all of the courageous Black gay men who came before me and who have provided me and my Brothers the privilege to live our lives freely and authentically — I often think of the ones who are still not afforded this luxury. Last night, Beyoncé dedicated her@glaad award to her Uncle Johnny, who she said was “the most fabulous gay man, who helped raise me and my sister. He lived his truth. He was brave and unapologetic during a time when this country was not as accepting. Witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived. I’m hopeful that his struggle served to open pathways for other young people to live more freely. #LGBTQI rights are human rights. To choose who you love is your human right, how you identify and see yourself is your human right, who you make love to and take that ass to Red Lobster is your human right.” #RIPUncleJohnny #Legacy #BlackGayMen #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon
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It’s official! I am a #Producer My first documentary project #TheRemixHipHopxFashion will be showing at #Tribeca2019 Directed by @misscortes @_farah_x_ along with my fellow producers @bigfusss @hillary.e.cutter featuring @misahylton @dapperdanharlem @kerbito and @iamaprilwalker @tribeca @mcmworldwide I am grateful to everyone involved in bringing this very #Black and very #woman narrative to life! #NativeSon #WorldofWilbekin #WOW
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvfWNuTp_c4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dyy9c4yw7rto

“Freedom is never given; it is won.” #APhillipRandolph Thank you @fashionforallfoundation @hanitamarie for creating space for of to have an inspired and empowering conversation “The Black Experience in Fashion — The Way Forward” with these revolutionaries and mavericks @lpeopleswagner @dapperdanharlem @officialcwhite @solangefranklin @michaelaangelad Thank you @therealphilliplim for holding this space for us to share our collective wisdom, hopes and dreams with the community. #FashionForAllFoundation #Black #Fashion #freedom #31globalcitizens #NativeSon #WorldofWilbekin #WOW (at 3.1 Phillip Lim)
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“There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.” #JamesBaldwin These words by the radical and revolutionary man who inspired the #NativeSon movement feel as relevant now as they did when the activist and author originally spoke truth to power. Now, is the time. This was my intention in creating this movement to inspire and empower Black gay and queer men and to make space for us to be self actualized, visible and supported in this world — a world which often ignores us, marginalizes us, and attempts to erase our existence. Well, we are here — and very much alive and well. I am so grateful to see my Brothers owning our identity, amplifying our narrative, and making our presence known. I am proud and grateful to call myself a #NativeSon Go to @nativesonnow and see more #BlackGayExcellence and #BlackGayBrilliance photographed at the 3rd Native Son Awards by @rickyday #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon (at Cadillac House)
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Surround yourself with love! @ymcnairasiseeit has been such an incredible blessing to me on my journey. Aside from bringing my vision for the Native Son Awards to life, she lifts me up and has supported me in my darkest hour. She is a real ally and an Angel. Thank you for your friendship, support and encouragement. #Grateful #BlackExcellence #Love #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon @rickyday (at Cadillac House)
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When you blaze a trail for the next generation of #BlackGayBrilliance Was so excited to have @zachstaff the new and first Black Editor-in-Chief of @theadvocatemag join us at the 3rd Native Son Awards. Seeing other Black gay and queer journalists lead in media, content curation and creating our narratives is important, empowering and necessary! @nativesonnow #Maverick #Legend #BlackGayExcellence #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon @rickyday (at Cadillac House)
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Surround your yourself with greatness! I had the tremendous privilege and pleasure to honor @youngsinick — author of I Can’t Date Jesus — and @therealgeorgefaison — who won the @thetonyawards for Choreography for #TheWiz in 1975 — at the 3rd Native Son Awards. Along with these cultural mavericks, I was surrounded by brilliant and beautiful Black gay and queer men who are the @nativesonnow community. I am so grateful to see this dream come true and to inspire, empower and affirm my Brothers. Thank you to @cadillac @belvederevodka @hbo @morgan.stanley @officialbyredo for believing in us. #BlackGayExcellence #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon @rickyday (at Cadillac House)
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Thank you @saintrecords @ibkamara @i_d for THIS!!! You just gave me my whole entire life and fiercely presented my current mood. I am not afraid of the dark! #BlackOnBlack #Black #BlackExcellence #BlackIsTheNewBlack #Mood #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #TimWalker
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When you win the #Oscar #RedCarpet before the show begins. Thank you @theebillyporter for showing the children how to serve and slay! The Category is… #Legendary @nativesonnow @csiriano @poseonfx @theacademy #Oscar2019 #Slay #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon
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Rest in Power Karl Otto Lagerfeld. What was always appealing to me about Karl Lagerfeld was his ability to unleash his vision and creativity to change the cultural conversation through fashion, photography and art. He used his talents fiercely and in the process inspired many to push themselves beyond their own socio political boundaries and affirm their imaginations and dreams. Thank you for being a role model for creatives on how to break barriers, live authentically and reimagine the world we live in. You were a tour de force. Well done! Well done! #RIP #KarlLagerfeld #Fashion #Style #Art #Culture #Creativity #Vision #Chanel #Fendi #Lagerfeld #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW
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“Poetry is not only dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.” #AudreLorde #Visionary #Dreamer #Doer #TheJourney #MyLife #Colored #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW (at Facebook NY)
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I had one of the best Valentines Days of my life because it was filled with all the things I love — #BlackJoy #Friendship #Creativity #Brotherhood #Generosity #Laughter #NewBeginnings #Service It’s a privilege and a pleasure to do what you love. I am grateful for my life and all the blessings I have been afforded. Here is to self love and God’s grace! #ValentinesDay #Live #Love #Serve #Grateful #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW
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“Make a difference about something other than yourselves.” #ToniMorrison Her words. Her presence. Her genius. Her brilliance. She made a difference to me and to so many who have beautiful words, phrases and prose lighting up our minds and imaginations inside our Black bodies. She gave us hope and a vehicle through her words that encouraged us and affirmed us to know, to be and to create. We thank you beloved Toni Morrison for your Black genius and for igniting our own. #RIP #ToniMorrison #Beloved #Words #BlackGenius #Feminist #Power #Creativity #LiveLoveServe #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW
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