Akiya

ECHO through the diaspora 🌍✨ I’m so proud of the cultural curation behind this exhibition and for @ninjanay trusting me to bring this vision to life. This was more than just a celebration of Afro + Caribbean music—it was about honoring the people, art, and culture that keep our history alive and relevant today. Thank you to the incredible artists who made this vision possible. This exhibition was a celebration of community and the connective tissue across the diaspora 🖤 📸 by @stevesnaps_

Still floating from last week’s panel on Art x Music: Visual Storytelling in the Global Soundscape. Every time I get to merge my passions—art curation and podcasting—it feels like pure euphoria. The space was safe, intentional, and deeply connective. Grateful for the opportunity to share, listen, and grow with such a powerful group. Here’s to many more moments like this 🤞🏾🫶🏾 Thank you for having me! @sohohouse @thetimbucktoo @henfieworld @gidigengg

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting the studio of abstract artist and writer @_kwame.azuregomez during her residency at @nxthaven —an inspiring space founded by artist and filmmaker Titus Kaphar. Born and raised in Akron, Kwame creates intuitive, spirit-led work shaped by her roots in the Black church, where she danced to praise and worship music, and her role as a leader within her family. Her paintings often hold quiet nods to nature—look closely and you might spot a bird tucked within the layers. We first connected at her NYC cohort reception and the vibe was instant. Our conversation flowed around divine intuition, creative calling, and the sacred power of art. Being in her studio felt like stepping into a sanctuary—grounded, intentional, and full of light. Kwame’s work isn’t just visually stunning—it moves. It breathes. It speaks. And I have no doubt she’s on her way to being one of the greats. Grateful to witness this moment in her journey. 🌿✨

CDMX was a work trip but in this vibrant city I had to balance it with just a little play. Excited for Zona MOCA 2027 😎.

9 years ago, God gave me a vision. Last year, I finally started building it. After 16 years in film, podcasting, events, and art working with some of Hollywood’s top companies. I realized my greatest joy has always been mentoring/teaching and creating space for the creative youth in my hometown. Their creativity, their potential, their future… that’s where my heart is. This month I launched my first pilot program, Collage & Chill, through VIMAT. The kids said it was “lit,” and honestly… they weren’t lying 😭. Building the Visionary Institute of Media Art & Technology has been a blessing, but building with the youth is the real ministry. And we’re just getting started 😎. Thank you to @chia__sue @bptartscouncil for believing in this program as partners 🤎🤞🏾.

Q1 Dump God’s daughter🙏🏾

Attention parents of Bridgeport youth! We have another opportunity for youth to get a hands on experience in a creative career. Collage and Chill is a free, one day, studio‐based expressive arts workshop for youth ages 12 to 17 that pairs therapeutic collage practice with professional documentation and exhibition. This workshop is geared toward students who are interested in art and possibly a creative path. Local artist, Juliana Chuvarria will lead the hands‐on studio collage workshop. Curator, Akiya Mcknight will lead a Q&A with Juliana so students can learn more about her creative journey and path. A teaching assistant from our youth curators program will support on‐site learning and lead the student exhibition installation. Funded by the Bridgeport Arts & Cultural Council through Fairfield County's Community Foundation. ***Food will be provided during the session - ***TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED NOTE: This workshop is by RSVP only. There is a limited number of spots available. Please do not RSVP if you cannot commit to the full session. Scan the QR code on the flyer or use this link to register: https://forms.gle/ZsYEtFHfu5nnCyLH8 #YWD #CreativeCareers #YoungArtists #BridgeportYouth #FCCF

Been waiting to catch “Ideas Of Africa” exhibit @themuseumofmodernart . This exhibit explores Portraiture and Political Imagination examines how photographers and their sitters contributed to the proliferation of Pan-African solidarity during the mid-20th century. Embracing the international spirit of the time, the exhibition gathers striking pictures by photographers Jean Depara, Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé, and Sanlé Sory portray residents across Bamako, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Kinshasa working in Central and West African cities. This show is stunning, beautiful and provoked a sense of wonder and pride for me. You’ll find very similar faces, characters and traditions/lifestyles that are lived throughout the diaspora. Go check it out for yourself and let me know your experience. The show is up until July 25th, 2026.

Philly has been one of my favorite art cities since I was a teenager, and it continues to shape my love for high-quality Black art. Last weekend I had the joy of attending the opening reception for “Narrative in Paper & Fabric” at @ubuntufineart , featuring the incredible work of my friend @sherry_shinefiberart and the brilliant @yolandawardarts . These two women are a force, distinct in style and medium, yet perfectly in conversation with one another. Sherry’s craftsmanship never stops astonishing me, and Yolanda’s deep character work and intimate detailing pull you in with every glance. What moved me most was the shared commitment to uplifting women artists and the sisterhood woven through their practices. Community has always been the heartbeat of Philly’s art scene, and this show is a beautiful reminder of that truth. Huge thank you to @stevencwtaylor for the warm welcome into your space. I’ll definitely be back. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and stop by because these pieces are moving fast.

Spent a weekend in DC two weeks ago for a studio visit with mixed‑media artist Charles Jean Pierre, a Haitian American artist from Chicago’s South Side, Howard grad, and current American University professor. @cjpgallery work is all about family, ancestry, memory, books, and fashion. The layers, textures of materials and stories in his pieces are wild. I felt such an instant connection that I ended up collecting a piece on the spot. When your intuition hits, trust it. This was also the first time I did a studio and gallery visit with family, and honestly, I think I like it. I will be doing more them more often. It made the experience even better. More art adventures loading for 2026.

I had the pleasure of attending the VIP opening of Art, Jazz + The Blues @mocact a beautifully considered collaboration between WestPAC and MoCA CT, curated by Anne Boberski, Ive Covaci, and the WestPAC Committee. The exhibition traces the deep relationship between visual art and the musical traditions rooted in African American history. Across paintings, books, film, and sound, it becomes a living archive of how artists have always been in conversation with jazz and the blues. At the center is Eric von Schmidt’s Giants of the Blues , seven sweeping group portraits honoring the musicians who shaped the 1920s–1960s. Surrounding them are powerful works by Sam Gilliam, Faith Ringgold, Richard Hunt, and Jack Whitten, each adding its own layer of rhythm and memory. If you’ve been wanting to get out and see more exhibitions, this is one worth making time for. It’s a rare chance to step into a lineage of influence and artistry that still resonates today.

Masterpieces aren’t an easy and quick process the same goes for life. We must fall in love with the day to day art of it all and everything in between. Spending time with beautiful pieces of work soothes my in between moments…