Va•ga•bond of Brooklyn

When going through life’s course you may come across hundreds, even thousands of people; all from different walks of life and faiths. Despite these encounters, from time to time you meet individuals that leave an impression. This week’s featured guest can be described as a stylish, humble, hardworking, outstanding individual. Please help me celebrate Brooklyn’s  HOTTEST up and coming visual artist, the Prim Proper himself, my friend…. Pierre Jean Baptiste!

Photo by: @imrich_too
Photo by: @im_richtoo

Meet the local 28-year-old Haitian-American artist, Pierre Jean Baptiste. Born and raised in the exhilarating ‘Big Apple’, he is the definition of what it means to redefine yourself!  Although originally attending school for criminal justice life’s unexpected curve-balls led him down an alternate path where he seems to have found his true passion; artistry.

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Rooted in his faith, principals and culture Pierre’s art pieces each tell a story of their own. With inspirations from artist such as Basquiat, George Condo, and other visual geniuses, Pierre does not limit himself to just visual art. When asked he states, “Art was always within me, I started taking painting more serious in 2015 when my mother passed. It was a great way to deal with the pain of losing my mother.” Is your mom your true inspiration? “Yeah she does inspire me but not only.. she inspires me so that I can make her proud, But the world truly inspires me… Music, Politics, love, etc…” 

Solo Art Exhibition

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On November 24th, 2017, Pierre unveiled his pieces to the world. Not only did I have the privilege of  attending his very first art exhibition, The Va•ga•bond, but I also had the opportunity to do an exclusive interview with the man behind the art, as he described his experiences and motivation behind his works.  When asked about the color schemes and techniques used within his pieces, Pierre says he does it simply to uplift the culture! In a world where blacks and minorities are seen as dark and hideous, Mr. Baptiste is redefining what it means! Check out clips from his interview below… 

Through his pieces Mr. Baptiste is able to captivate his audiences attention with vibrant colors and bold words “Fear” “Heavy Lies The Crown” “Royalty” “King” “Faith Without Work is Dead”, “Create Like a God, Command Like A King”, “Black Excellence” and “DNA= Royalty”, its no wonder why his art continues to inspire those far and near.

There is no doubt in my mind that Pierre’s pieces of expression and meaning will continue to take this world by STORM. Pierre started off his new year with one of his art pieces, being gifted to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs himself! #TalkAboutProgress 

Help me salute this great young King as he continues to take transform the world with his Art! #YouGoBlackMan

 

 

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Meet TiTi…

Say hello to Jane of All Trades, Ms. Evbu Egharevba, aka TiTi! #BlackGirlMagic They often say in college is where you meet people that would impact you for a lifetime. Well this young lady, although younger, has been an inspiration from the first day I worked with her at Old Westbury’s Hair show. Talk about TALENTED! From fashion, hair, cosmetics, public speaking, this young woman has it all! 

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Evbu Titilayo Egharevba Owner of The Vintagelipgloss Brand

Public Relations/Artist Development Media&Artistry

After graduating college and facing different hardships, Ms. Evbu decided to turn her passions into a lifestyle, thus creating “The Vintagelipgloss Brand”.

What is The Vintagelipgloss Brand? “The Vintagelipgloss Brand is a multifaceted company that offers Event Curating&Public Relations Services. Established in October 2014, the business has developed into a multi-functioning service that started with the owner’s vision to create a platform for herself during a very trying post college graduate career defining time.”

What is your inspiration? “Struggle is something that often defines an individual’s capability to exceed. Struggle in my case became the fighting force of everything that I do. I know what it feels like to be homeless, I know what it feels like to not know if you can afford to eat, I know what it feels like to live in poverty. Knowing those different life circumstances made me realize what I didn’t want to be anymore and that is the feeling of being without. For those reasons my struggle is what inspired me.”

Born and raised in the toughest neighborhoods of Brooklyn,NY, Evbu is no stranger to facing hardship. Living in a community that encouraged her to make it past the struggle, it is no coincidence that determination remained in her destiny.

What impact has your culture played on you? “As a Nigerian-American, morals and values played a major role in discipline. Life took a toll on me in September 2010 after the loss of my mother. At that moment I realized that not only that life was too short but I vowed to continuously cherish every moment and make it a lifestyle to create and conquer all goals.”

Reflecting back on the journey and seeing her growth Evbu proudly informs all those who inquire that starting her own business is one of her most greatest accomplishments thus far.“Many people see the finished product but fail to realize the restless days and nights, lack of rest, disappointments along the way and sacrifices that are made to simply achieve all goals.”

What is next for you and Vintagelipgloss? “Life has a funny way of throwing you the un-expected. We can plan today and end up in a completely different circumstance. My future goals include me having my own store front, being a successful entrepreneur all while being able to be a mother and wife some day. I don’t set limitations for myself so wherever God is taking me I am ready to face the great journey with my best foot forward. I am in high hopes of using my story to help others and encourage them in ways that I may have lacked encouragement while seeking it.”

With growing clientele and revenue at the age of now 26, Evbu recognizes that this is just the beginning. She proudly stands by her brand and has a simple prayer that God continues to use her in the most powerful way to touch the world with her talents.

 

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Help me celebrate this Beauty as she continues to soar through life!!! #YouGoGirl

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Birth of a New me….

Imagine a Fall, chilly, Wednesday morning at about 6:50 am.  You begin to walk to your car, but an impatient flashing orange figurine interrupts your stroll, reminding you to hustle before you miss your chance to catch the light.   In front of you the orange figure continues to blink rapidly, now accompanied with a 15, 14, 13,12… countdown, but you never make it to the other side of the crosswalk. At this very moment, what you do not know is that there is a 4000 pound vehicle racing down the street trying to catch that same light. 10, 9, 8… You hear ***Skkkkrtt*** car zooms around the corner. For a brief moment the phrase “Deer in headlights” becomes your entire existence.  7,6,5…. Bright white lights flash in front of you  4, 3, 2….**hands fly up** you scream as if it were your last chance “Waaaaaiiiit stop!!!”. 1…***BOOM***As your body ascends to the air, gravity quickly reminds you “who’s boss” ***BAM***You slam to the ground.

You know it’s true when they say your life flashes before your eyes. As I laid on the cold concrete sooooooo many thoughts flooded my consciousness. In those few moments so many what ifs, regrets, happy memories and wants began to take over; it was as if I was stuck in a trans and clips of my life were on an endless cycle.

“Miss… miss are you ok?!?! Are you ok? Can you hear me?! Oh my God, what have I done?!” a frantic man’s voice pierces my ear. I open my eyes realizing I’m alive. “Oh Thank God! I am so sorry, are you ok? Are you hurt? Can you get up?” the man says. I try to speak but the words can’t leave my lips at the moment, tears begin to weld up and in one blink a stream starts to flow. I can feel everything around me, the cold moist concrete, my belt buckle piercing into my side, and then an unbearable pain begins to emerge.

Finally, words form: “My knee, my knee, I have to go to work…. My knee…” I continue to repeat these words as if I were an old broken vinyl record. In the background I hear a woman making the infamous 911 call… “911 yes! There’s a woman who was hit...“I close my eyes, the woman’s voice begins to fade; everything around me becomes white noise. Images of my life begin to reappear, questions continued to consume my mind… Had I done enough? Did I leave a mark on this world? Have I fulfilled my purpose? What legacy will I leave behind? Who have I helped? From a distance my thoughts are overshadowed by the sounds of the speeding ambulance coming to my rescue.

“One, two, three…. lift” the EMS worker’s voice strains as they lift me off the ground. Anxiety begins to build, the regrets become unbearable, for the next few hours the rest of the process becomes a blur.

That was November 1st, 2017… although parts of that day are still a blur, one thing I remember is by the end of that 12 minute ambulance ride with tears in my eyes, I declared a NEW me. No longer would I let the fears of the unknown guide my path; no longer would I let the trapped demons of my past rule over my future. I was given a second chance to fulfill my purpose and now my true life has begun.

#ChasingCarlii

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