10 YEARS IN NYC (with a stint in Texas!!) Pt. 1
I flew in on 5.5.16. Obama was still ruling the roost. Sigh.
1 suitcase full of essential clothes, 1 suitcase full of SKIMDO and a carry-on full of vintage.
A single Allure magazine with twigs on the cover wearing SKIMDO in her hair, and a farewell card from my Auntie Peaches along with a sterling silver oyster mirror engraved with the word “Twinny”.
I was tender, brittle and deflated and it suddenly felt a bit dramatic to move countries just because I was sad.
But move to a new country I did - not knowing a soul.
SKIMDO was my calling card, my connector, my trade, my creation, my lifesaver and my life’s work. We were going to do this together.
And we did! It was hard but unbelievable friendships have been made (and lost), awards won, dance floors filled, homes lived in, jobs worked, store opened, store closed, danger dodged, lovers loved, hearts broken, hearts expanded, healing - oh the HEALING!!!
Beyond my expectations, I am still here. Doing ok.
Thank you. I love New York. I think it might love me back.
More film, less phone 🎞️📵🗽🍎✌🏽
* If you have any stories or moments or anecdotes of how we met please sling it in the comments so I (we) can reminisce.. 👇🏽
There’s the Legend, the Father and then, there’s the Hair. From Afro to Jheri Curl, to flat top — to dreadlocks. Mi Daddy dat!! 🇯🇲
Happy Birthday, Flash 🏏 Thanks for the genes!!! 😜🧬🙏🏽 I love you!!! ♥️
I love Siberian Princess Mummy who became a DJ, moved us to Thailand and opened a private member’s club called La Papaya. Love her. Thanks for putting me on the map.
Happy Mother’s Day to all Motherships and thoughts are with those who have experienced loss and hard realities of and with motherhood.
Heart is with the people of Palestine, Congo, Iran, Ukraine and First Nations - here and Globally. ♥️
#MatriarchalFuture
Two of my favourite humans were born on this day. My late Grandmother “Mam-mam” and my best friend Moomin.
I simply cannot imagine what life would have been like without these two mighty women prioritizing my very existence. Both fiercely protective and viciously funny. It’s a great combo.
What luck. So, with deep gratitude wishing a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Moomin, and a HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY to my Mam-mam.
I miss the glamour and the giggles - but today I mostly miss watching you thrash everyone at Backgammon, Mam-mam.
♥️♥️
Huge moment of pride, gratitude and recognition for our devotion to the beauty experience, textured hair and the people who seek the self possession they deserve. Thank you @glossier for bringing us under your wing and maintaining your support for Black-Owned Beauty Businesses. 5 Years 💙 Proud class of 2021 🏆 #skimdo #beautyheals #glossier #winners #texture
Personal News
(and hopefully a timeline cleanse for you all!)
Joined the team @premabrooklyn as ♟️ Strategy Lead and 🤲🏼 Community Fairy ✨ while helping founder @amandharding with art direction and growth 🖌️
@skimdo under reconstruction 🛠️ preparing her for investors 🤝✨weeeeee 😬🥰🤪
Always rooting for little Skim to keep on moving… don’t stop… 🫶🏼
🧷Slide 19 is by the late great Spanish artist Isabel Quintanilla
BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACL BLACK BLACK THANK GOD BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK THANK GOODNESS BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK EXCELLENCE BLACK
This beautiful mythical angel from the cosmos (slide 1) treated me to one of the BEST NIGHTS OF MY LIFE for my Birthday. Winter Jazzfest NYC.
The sonic vibrations of @sashaberliner commanding the Vibraphone so passionately on her composition ‘Khan Yunis’ ripped through my chest, up my throat and to it’s final form — a hot release of involuntary flowing tears down my face. Something dormant, painful and stuck in me started moving out.
It was an unbelievable gentle exorcism that continued with each mindblowing performance from ✨ THEE @deedeebridgewater ✨ @madekuti (Fela Kuti’s Grandson 🎷) @tomokisanders (Pharoah Sanders kid 🎷) and more. @secsmiles was OTHERWORDLY and so were the rest of @freedomridersmusic 🎹✊🏾
My 2026 started here. It set the tone, it set the bar.
Thank you @salliebabeln - I love you for that — and more ✨✌🏽✨🩷✨
