#OnTheRise
If one good thing came out of 2020, it is that Black creatives made their voices heard and their arts more visible than ever. From photography and singing to styling and directing, below is our list of 4 Black creatives who are taking their seat at the table and making space for other people of color, too.
Gabriella Karefa-Johnson
Believe it or not, the January 2021 issue of American Vogue marked the first time in the publication’s history that a Black woman styled a cover model. GARAGE Magazine’s current Fashion Director and a long-time VOGUE contributor, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, is the creative eye behind some of our favorite fashion moments.
She is also an advocate for representation both in front of the camera and behind it. Johnson took charge of conceptual development for Vice President Kamala Harris’ Vogue cover.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9NCfmHA4I8/
Kemp Powers
Kemp Powers is a director, screenwriter, and playwright. The Brooklyn native gained recognition in 2017 for his work on the television series Star Trek: Discovery. In 2020, his work on Soul made him Pixar’s first Black director and writer.
Photo from Zimbio.com
Renell Medrano
It is easier to count how many stars Renell Medrano hasn’t photographed than how many she has. Her portfolio includes faces such as Jay Z, Issa Rae, Megan Thee Stallion, and Solange.
When she is not shooting the entertainment industry’s elite, she uses her platform and creativity to pay homage to her Afro-Latina roots. Her latest series, “Pampara,” is an authentic look at the vibrant, everyday life in the Dominican Republic, where her family is from.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BT4tIl2wZ/
Devonte Hynes
While most creatives prefer to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight, Devonte “Dev” Hynes is the exception.
Hynes, known also by his stage name “Blood Orange,” is a singer-songwriter from London. His 2018 album, Negro Swan, made him a known figure in America’s alternative R&B scene, and he recently earned two Grammy nominations for the score he wrote for the HBO series We Are Who We Are.
