Designing New Spaces
Helen Keller said it best, "Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much more" I will never forget the moment when the sentiments of this quote became a reality for me. The reality of this quote created a true shift personally and professionally where I began to truly design new spaces.
One day in February in 2022, I was in the mall in Charleston, SC participating in the largest pop up event to be hosted outside of a coliseum event that changed my life and business. Thinking back on that day as I was returning to my booth from going to the restroom, my friend shared with me there was a woman looking for me, she shared she was adamant about meeting me, and wanted her to be sure to give me her information for me to contact her. Her persistence was indescribable as when I turned around she was standing there as she circled back to be sure that she met me. After meeting her that day and exchanging information, we moved on to a face to face meeting that birthed an annual community event out of the vision of my heart to design from soul for the soul.
Community, is described in Webster as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. What was very common with Marissa and I was that we wanted to change our community and bridge the gap of art and culture. Crazy as it may be, but all of 2021 I was saying it out loud and everywhere I went that I was called to "Design New Spaces", I never imagined that this design would have this much impact and change. This culture cake series with Myer Vogle Gallery in connection with Zuriel Kingdom Collections was the launch of an annual series called "The Bridge" aimed to bridge the gap for Black Artisans within the Charleston community. Read the article here.
Just from this moment, many things changed, the circle of women that embraced me changed, the opening of new business collaborations and ventures changed. This all came about simply from one word COMMUNITY! One we should never take for granted!
Community created a space for me to give back. This night of a live painting to raise money for the Low Country Unity Fund, went well beyond what I could ever imagine. The design of this space reaches back to build new ground for us to move forward. To be illustrated by some of the finest artists in Charleston and these paintings to be auctioned off and offer a new element of design as I am a part of someone's home, this is the alignment of community. It reaches beyond the circle of what's common, familiar and very much traditional. It breaks barriers, creates understanding, unity, relevance, and eco systems that's called change!
To witness this painting hanging in the home of someone, seals the foundation of my business that we will always be a business of community and change! Creating from the soul, for the soul. Tribe I am so excited to announce that we will host our next culture cake coming up on October 22nd, 2023 please save the date. Zuriel Kingdom Collections also has another major announcement coming. As I close this weeks newsletter which is all centered in the power of designing for the human experience, as I am reminded, I want to remind you of powerful words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's, I have a dream speech. "One day we shall not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the contents of our character". The character of this business is soul fashion! And to design from the soul, becomes the greatest gift to a dying world!
So blessed to have been able to experience this in person. You are a real champion!!