#28TM: Versteal Anthony

Anthony Lavell -the man known as Lyriq-  is the owner and part design genius behind the luxury lifestyle brand, VERSTEAL ANTHONY. He is maker of luxury, sayer of phrases, writer of lyrics, and grabber of life.

Anthony was born just outside of Washington, D.C. in the city of Alexandria, VA on January 28, 1986. A product of public housing, his parents taught him early what it meant to work hard, be creative, set goals, and meet them. He knew that by getting an education and working hard, he’d be able to accomplish any goal. He had a passion for writing that was encouraged by his grandmother, hence the nickname Lyriq.

While attending Virginia State University, Anthony had his first opportunity to showcase his lyrics in a public environment. That moment fed his desire and allowed a creative spirit to flow. That same creative spirit led him on a path of design. It started as a small capsule collection of jewelry which he named AMBITION. With the success of that company, Anthony became inspired to grow, and with that growth came change. He realized that he had to rebrand which allowed him to honor two important people in his life, his grandfather Versteal and father Anthony; thus creating VERSTEAL ANTHONY.

What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?

BHM is a time to acknowledge the harsh truth of racial inequality, social, economic, and political injustices...all the while celebrating the accomplishments of our ancestors. For me, this is a time to be reminded of their sacrifice and use it as fuel for continuous growth of the community.  This photo reminds me that ANYTHING is possible! 

Where Are You Finding Inspiration Today To Design This Year?

I find myself getting inspired in so many different situations. I could be listening to a song that I hadn’t heard in ages where I’m reminded of a certain style. Having a conversation with a friend or even a stranger regarding color, trends or brands. When it comes to the topic, I could really go on and on, but I think most of all I am inspired by quality and creating a final product that my clients will love!  Above are a few of my inspirations!

To Learn More About Versteal Visit:

#28TM: Michiel Perry

Mrs. Michiel Perry, 29, is a South Carolina girl who loves all things Southern and stylish. While planning her wedding in Charleston, S.C. and decorating her first home in Maryland, Mrs. Perry was inspired to develop a lifestyle brand focused on African-American women with a Southern connection called Black Southern Belle.

Her digital lifestyle brand Black Southern Belle, created an online and offline resource of lifestyle inspiration for African-American women in the South. In 2015, Mrs. Perry and her team expanded Black Southern Belle and developed an editorial division, ambassador program, online store, and the Black Southern Belle Collective.  Black Southern Belle has been featured in numerous outlets, including HGTV, Essence, Black Enterprise, Draper James, Apartment Therapy, Brides, Today, Levo League, AOL Lifestyle Collective, and more.

Before launching her business, Mrs. Perry managed marketing and partnerships at Lillybee, a collegiate and sorority lifestyle brand where she launched a collegiate ambassador program and managed the blogger outreach project. She caught her small business and startup bug while working here, and still wears Lillybee products at least twice a week.

And once upon a time in her lifetime, she was a political event planner and relationship manager for a small email company called Google, Inc. in Washington, D.C. She occasionally misses the free food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?

Black History Month means a time to reflect on the past to inspire the future. For me and my creativity, so much of what I love is inspired from the past, whether it is food (I live for gumbo and shrimp and grits), fashion (never met a monogram I didn’t like), home decor (Addicted to buying any African American history coffee table book I can find) or art (Jonathan Green and Gullah art are my favorites). I love reflecting on what has already been created by my ancestors which has influenced so much of today’s culture and figuring out how I can showcase that history and style through BlackSouthernBelle.com

 

 

 

 

Where Are You Finding Inspiration Today To Design This Year?

This year I am finding inspiration through my travels. I have made it my mission to explore every small town in the South and find the African American culture that is a part of it. One of those favorite towns is Beaufort, SC, from the Roberts Smalls House (South Carolina member of US Congress during Reconstruction) to the Penn Center (First school for Freed Slaves); I am inspired by the architecture, design and history of what these towns have to offer.  These trips influence everything I do personally and with Black Southern Belle.

To Learn More About Michiel Visit:

 

#28TM: Nile Johnson

We truly believe that everyone should live beautifully...not just aesthetically but in all aspects of life.

Nile Johnson Interior Design (NJID), strives to create moments through our custom interiors, that are layered with thoughtful and personal elements.  We strive to touch the heart and soul of our clientele.  We live for curating a space, and producing products that are distinct and timeless.  

Nile Johnson, BS is the Design Principal & Creative Director of Nile Johnson Interior Design.  His work has been featured by HGTV, The Huffington Post, QVC, and throughout the interior design industry.  Nile holds a bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and received his Masters in Interior Architecture from Chatham University. 

He is an adjunct professor faculty member in the Interior Design Department at two local colleges, and a member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID).

 

What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?

This year Black History Month means more to me than ever before. With such significant figures as the Obamas leaving the White House after an eight year run, I think it's imperative to recognize the kindness, grace, and humility in which they maneuvered throughout the past two terms.  It is also equally important, that we relish in their accomplishments, using them as motivation to stand on their shoulders to reach even higher, dream bigger, and stand taller. It's more importantthan ever to remember, reflect and honor black history, and to also be immersed in the movement of making black history ourselves.

Where Are You Finding Inspiration Today To Design This Year?

The main inspiration for my projects comes from the heart.  I am always motivated by the feeling one gets seeing their space completed for the first time, or how they will react to the design board because it encompasses everything they wanted to articulate (aesthetically) but couldn't.  These days I am finding additional inspiration for my projects by taking staycations.  I'm a hands on person, and I learn so much better when I can experience things in person.  By taking short getaways to a great restaurant, coffee shop, a used bookstore,  or even staying in a unique boutique hotel I force myself to relax and immerse all of my senses into my surrounding environment.  On each trip, I pull from whatever emotional and visual connections I can to inspire me for my next project.

To Learn More About Nile Visit:

#28TM: Robin Wilson

Robin Wilson is a pioneer in eco-friendly interior design since 2000. Her goal is to come a leading global lifestyle brand across multiple categories. Her focus is on guiding consumers to asthma and allergy free options – and her commitment grew out of a childhood suffering from these maladies. Today, she is an ambassador to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and her brand is sold by retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohls and JCPenney, among others under both the Robin Wilson Home and NestHome brands. She has appeared on television and in print as an expert – from the national news to HGTV, LX-TV and before live studio audiences.
 
Her licensed brand of made-in-the-USA cabinetry sold over $80 million (wholesale) from 2009-2016. In 2010, she began a licensed brand of textiles and in 2013 she was a spokesperson for Panasonic USA for their home product launch. She is the author of two award-winning books, CLEAN DESIGN (2015) and Kennedy Green House (2010), which has a foreword written by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She also appears on the Queen Boss show (BET/CENTRIC) as a guest judge, in this Shark Tank type show that benefits women of color as they chase their entrepreneurial dreams.
 
 

What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?

Every year, this holiday serves to remind all of us that a Eurocentric history that is taught in schools must be supplemented by recognition of people of color in building this wonderful nation. Many stories are about slavery, and this month allows us to learn more about the breadth of invention, innovation and interesting facts from those who created the traffic light, built the capital, and leading architects who designed LAX Airport, the Philadelphia Art Museum, or the amazing movie, “Hidden Figures” which showcases the contribution of black women mathematicians to the NASA program.

Where Are You Finding Inspiration Today To Create Design This Year?

Right now I am very interested in the chess board as a design inspiration – squares of black and ivory, intertwined in one location.

To Learn More About Robin Visit:

#28TM: Maurice Cherry

Maurice Cherry is the founder and principal at Lunch, a multidisciplinary studio in Atlanta, GA.  Lunch helps creative brands craft messages and tell stories for their targeted audiences, including fostering relationships with underrepresented communities. Past clients and collaborators include Vox Media, NIKE, Mediabistro, Site5, SitePoint, and The City of Atlanta.

Maurice is a pioneering digital creator who is most well-known for the Black Weblog Awards, the Web's longest running event celebrating Black bloggers, video bloggers, and pod casters. Other projects of Maurice's include the award-winning podcast Revision Path, 28 Days of the Web, and The Year of Tea. His projects, overall design work and advocacy have been recognized by NPR, News One, CNN, AIGA, HOW, Print, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, and The Los Angeles Times.

Maurice is also an educator, and has built curricula and taught courses on web design, web development, email marketing, WordPress, and podcasting for thousands of students over the past ten years.

Maurice was named one of Atlanta’s “Power 30 Under 30? in the field of Science and Technology by the Apex Society, one of HP’s “50 Tech Tastemakers” in conjunction with Black Web 2.0, and was selected by Atlanta Tribune as one of 2014's Young Professionals.

Maurice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Morehouse College and a Masters degree in telecommunications management from Keller Graduate School of Management.


What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?

This year, it means recommitting to excellence. 2016 was a wake up call for a lot of people in a lot of different ways. We lost some legends, and the country took a tumultuous turn politically. Because Black History Month for me is every month -- every day, really -- which means that it's another chance to get things right and continue the journey in creating the reality I want to see.

Where Are You Finding Inspiration Today To create Design This Year?

This might be a totally obvious answer, but I'm really inspired by the 80s this year. It feels like everything old is new again (in more ways than one). The music and the design sensibilities that came out of that time (largely as a counterpoint to society) are giving me hope.

 

To Learn More About Maurice Visit:
Website: http://mauricecherry.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mauricecherry
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mauricecherry

 

#28TM: Christine Joy Design

 

Christine Joy Design, LLC is a Brooklyn-based print design studio specializing in the home goods and apparel. Founder Christine Llewellyn graduated from Wesleyan University and later obtained her MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. She worked as a marketing manager focused on point-of-sale design and innovation within a large financial services company before leaving to pursue her passion for design. In 2011, she obtained her Masters of Industrial Design from Pratt Institute and, in 2014, established Christine Joy Design.
Christine has always viewed her world from a global lens. Her designs are influenced by her Caribbean heritage, childhood neighborhood which boasts the most ethnic diversity in the New York area, and living in central Africa as a young girl.   Christine's designs are characterized by their playful yet elegant hand drawn, carved or painted motifs and modern, minimalist pattern composition. This clean simplicity is reflective of Christine's love of Scandinavian design. Her work can be found in West Elm, Crate and Barrel and on Minted.  When she's not designing, Christine loves spending time with her husband, two children, and perpetual puppy, Bobby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?

For me, celebrating black history is so much more important this year than in years past. I have always found it troubling that the many achievements of people of the African Diaspora are only celebrated during one month – and the shortest one at that. Black history and culture should be celebrated daily as our contributions to this nation have enabled it to be what it is today.
It is clear now that with the new political and social climate, disenfranchised groups will be further de-prioritized in our nation’s socio-political agenda. Given these changes, it will be so important for marginalized groups to come together as a community to define ourselves and what is we demand from the new administration. Our bond as a people is strengthened if we are aware of the many wonderful and often overlooked contributions we have made to society. Our families are strengthened with knowledge of our own family histories and what we each, on whatever small scale, have contributed to our communities. This knowledge of our history will be so important as we resist our country’s new agenda aimed at further marginalizing us.
On a personal level, though my children are very young, my husband and I make a very concerted effort to teach them to be proud of their heritage and stand with confidence knowing that they come from a people with such a beautiful and rich history. I want them to also know that while it is only highlighted during one month, the success and contributions of black people should be spoken about and celebrated year round, and with special emphasis, over these next four years.

Where Are You Finding Inspiration Today To Design This Year?

A year and a half ago I faced head on my fear of flying and signed up to a trip to travel to India to learn traditional Indian block printing and natural fabric dyeing techniques. During my time there, I traveled to a tiny village called Bagru. In Bagru, every person learns to block print as that is their livelihood and is passed on from generation to generation. The trip was awe-inspiring and trans formative on so many levels. I find myself still drawing on the beauty of that experience in my designs. While I love working with ink and paints, I also really love creating patterns that I have hand-carved.
My family background serves as inspiration as well. My parents immigrated from the islands of Antigua and Dominica. I love the beautiful vibrant colors found in the Caribbean and often try to incorporate those same vibrant colors in my work.   Even at home I find inspiration through my kids and their unabashed sense of wonder and excitement at things most adults either ignore or take for granted.
I am also influenced by my time living abroad in The Republic of Congo, Denmark, and Greece. I love thoughtfully designed objects and am inspired by objects from around the world. I am constantly on the look out for interesting textiles, colors and patterns that might inform my work.

To Learn More About Christine Visit: