Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakia Booker.
Hi Nakia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am an author and a cultural advocate that believes art can be an outlet completely bound by time or space. I don’t consider myself an artist but my grandfather, who worked part-time as a multimedia artist, introduced me to the arts and art space as a child. I’m inspired by other artists such as Delita Martin, Deborah E. Roberts, Kennedi Carter, June Ambrose, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Ayoni, and so many others in the music, arts, and fashion space.
It is a passion of mine to work with brilliant people to produce Black Joy projects that strengthen the culture. Our culture is so powerful and influential in this world. I look forward to growing in this space. I am currently planting seeds for this journey as I also have another book in the works that will require me to take on more artists. If you’ve got some amazing art you’d like to showcase, look me up!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey as an author has been a smooth ride, for the most part. Once I got my mind right, I remained focused on what I’ve been purposed to do in my most recent book venture. The struggles really didn’t come until production time. Who knew so much went into making edits and changes.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a new book that is available for preorder called MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule. This coffee table book is a capsule collection of art, poetry, photography, and activism that focuses on the historic moment of 2020 civil unrest. It celebrates the essential work of Black artists during the pandemic.
The vision of MMXX was curated during a time of civil unrest – during the 2020 worldwide pandemic. It was during this time I took to social media and some of my followers because it was something special about their art that drew me to their work. The motivation and purpose behind it was to capture this current moment through the eyes of artists and to display Black Joy as a source of healing and resistance.
Not only does the publication feature art, but it, in itself, is a thing of beauty as well. Dr. Monique Wells says that “the layout is simply magnificent.” Sovereign Noir Publications calls it a “necessary part of cultural identity that allows Black people to speak for themselves as artists, creatives, and human beings who, unfortunately, have a history of being silenced and murdered when speaking their truths.”
I’m extremely proud of how this capsule impacts the community by highlighting the successes, ideas, creations, experiences, and histories of Black people because we are demanding it now. I think we are going to create our own Wakanda and rebuild back Black Wall Street communities moving forward.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very active, fun, loud, social child who always kept a friend. Art, music, and fashion were always near and dear to me. My parents kept me in several social activities. I enjoyed Girls Scouts and was a Ballerina for a short period of time. My grandmother was a hairdresser and seamstress which was how I got into fashion. My dad, grandfather, and uncles kept music playing in the house and that’s how I fell in love with music. I’m extremely grateful that my grandfather and the Girl Scouts exposed me to the arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blackartivism.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackartivism/
Image Credits
Mike D. Shot Me
