New magazine highlights Black creativity, music and advice for Charlotte businesses
In a social climate where the celebration of black creativity is at its precipice, The Block is a new publication whose mission is aligned with this conversation.
The Block is a space for creatives of color to celebrate their artistry and share the experience of rising through the ranks of entrepreneurship – along with its triumphs and its trials.
“We are a platform for Black creatives – our main goal is to reach Black creatives and entrepreneurs beyond,” said Editor-in-Chief DeAnna Taylor, who is also a CharlotteFive reporter. “We want to tap into creatives, where other places and publications may drop the ball.”
The endeavor to create a safe space for creatives of color started with a monthly event called The Block, which was conceived by Hue House — a Charlotte organization dedicated to supporting cultural and arts communities by providing resources and funding opportunities.
The meetups, originally held in an in-person open-discussion format, have been a hit since the COVID-19 pandemic started and it moved into virtual meetings. Each event in the series showcased a different topic (ex: building a brand, the Black dollar). That success led the founding members of Hue House to turn the events into an online publication.
“The magazine was the spawn of the events. [It became] a space to get more information on a regular basis,” Taylor said.
The founders decided to bring in Taylor, an attorney and native Charlottean who has worked as a writer both locally and nationally (including CharlotteFive, we’ll proudly say again). While the publication was born of the monthly meetups, and the mission remains connected, the creative direction is Taylor’s making and she is steadfast in her vision for the publication’s future.
Not a news publication
“We’re not a news publication – there are plenty of news publications. Our aim is to tell true stories from a Black perspective in a way that reaches and speaks to other Black and brown creatives, as well,” said Taylor, who wants the digital publication to be a global resource.
“Our core team is Charlotte residents and natives, but we want to touch Black creatives all around the world,” Taylor said.
The digital magazine officially launched on Juneteenth, a deliberate move to honor the significance of Black history and freedom.
Since then, the publication has hit the ground running with content celebrating Black stories.
One of its first profiles was of Arial Robinson, the 19-year old North Carolina A&T State University sophomore who went viral on Instagram for her photo series entitled “The Black ABCs,” where she uses Black visuals in a flashcard format to showcase each letter of the alphabet.
They recently featured a profile of mixed-media artist Andrew Wilson, whose artistry includes quilting from fabrics inherited from his grandmother upon her passing.
“I feel like [publications] miss so many genres of Black creatives. We don’t all fit into one bubble. [At The Block] we want to find those forgotten people, those underdogs, and really bring their stories to light,” Taylor said.
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Helping businesses ‘level up’
The Business Inspiration category will be particularly of interest to rising entrepreneurs — it is a section dedicated to uplifting them with support and wisdom.
“[This section] is where we give [readers] jewels and gems to help them be better entrepreneurs,” said Taylor, who added that the section will also include tips on building and maintaining a brand during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as inspirational content to help readers “level up on whatever they’re aiming to do.”
Music covering all genres
The music section will cover artistry in all genres, being inclusive where other publications have traditionally not been.
“I want the misconceptions and stereotypes to be broken. A lot of things people think we don’t do, we helped create,” said Taylor, who references Black Americana and the country music genre as a prime example.
And the timing couldn’t be more important. “Everybody seems to be interested in Black stories. We’re taking advantage of the time and momentum.”
The website, which engages readers from a variety of topics including art, culture, events, music, lifestyle and business, is cohesive in its messaging about the importance and value of the Black creative experience.
“We saw this open space from publications not covering the entire spectrum. We’re here to fill that void for Black creatives everywhere,” Taylor said.
And the call to be recognized is a deliberate one that Taylor promotes. “If you feel you have a unique story as a creative, we’re willing to tell that [story].”
As a new publication, the call to artists and business owners is paramount. While it has been a challenge to grow an audience organically, Taylor sees her vision manifesting.
“Just seeing people whose stories might not otherwise be told finally get that recognition [is exciting],” Taylor said.
And as for a message to current, future and aspiring Black creatives, Taylor wants them to know there is room for them in the pages of the publication.
“We have a place for you – you deserve for the world to see what you’ve been working so hard on.”
The Block
Instagram: @itstheblock
Email: itstheblock@gmail.com
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 5:49 PM.
