We were lucky to catch up with Kenyatta Crisp recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenyatta, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

“It all started with me attending college over at Tri-C and Cleveland State University. I educated myself on some things but going to school really gave me that exposure and knowledge that I have gained in photography. It’s been a total of 12 years now, which surprises me because time has really flown by. Knowing what I know now, I will say I would have taken my time at school more serious, I had my moments where I lost focus and even dropped out, but now, my outlook on things are far greater.

Kenyatta, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Absolutely! What really sparked my love for my craft in photography was my overall love for artistry. I was exposed to art at a very young age. I want to say around 4 – 5, my mother saved alot of my artwork that I drew in daycare (which I still have till this day) and that was only the beginning. As I got older, my mother signed me up for different art programs that were geared towards children. Some of the early art classes I took were even held at the Cleveland Museum of Art. All through high school, I spent alot of my time drawing but my biggest struggle with it was the lack of patience. I enjoyed it, but I struggled with taking my time to get better. In 2011, I began attending school for business administration at Tri-C Metro campus. While I studied business, I also took courses that focused on art to balance my major. Some of those classes were Art Therapy, Photography, Film, painting and of course drawing. Around 2012, I really started to focus more on photography as my passion but still was pursuing a business degree. In 2014, I started attending Cleveland State, and there I switched my major from business to Studio Art. By 2016, thats when photography really started to take off for me. I started to become more serious. I started my own business called the Hood Gallery Studios under Crisp Photography Ltd. It really was a struggle; My ideas were all over the place and I was just understanding the ins and outs of running a business. By 2020, I rebranded myself as 28karatblack and really honed in on an artist career. So far, things have really been going well for myself and this is only the beginning.

What sets me apart from others in my craft is my ability to seamlessly integrate storytelling with a cultural impact using visual artistry. I believe in the power of images to transcend language and connect people on a deeper level.
It really makes me proud to see my work take off and see the impact its has made within my community. Whether it’s through collaborations with local organizations, exhibitions that provoke important conversations, or mentoring aspiring artists, I strive to use my art to create positive change and inspire others. I work in the education field, so I’ve integrated my passion as an artist and my service as an educator with the development of The ICARY Project. ICARY stands for Impactful Changes for Aspiring and Radiant Youth. I created ICARY to give the younger people and opportunity to learn about photography and to also showcase their own talent as artist.

I want people to know that my work is driven by authenticity, creativity, and a commitment to social relevance. Whether you’re looking to capture a moment in time, tell a compelling story through visuals, or collaborate on a project that challenges perspectives, I’m here to bring your vision to life as well.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Certainly, I will say my daughter and me being a new father has driven me. Everything I do now is for her. I want to give her opportunities and more where she does not have to struggle. I want her to know that her dad will always have her back. My goal is to leave a fulfilling legacy but to also be authentic with doing so. No cutting corners or doing things that will compromise my integrity.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Definitely, I want to touch on how I struggled with my mental health and creative process. Back in 2021 I was diagnosed with having severe social phobia disorder, and severe anxiety. Some people say I hid it well through the years but it definitely has been a battle that Im still faced with from time to time. I went years suffering in silence and even in 2022, I suffered from depression which was caused by my disorder. I often feared what people would think about me, not speak up for myself, and often cope with vices that had an impact on my creative process. I wasn’t meeting deadlines, dropping out of shows, not working on my craft; I was completely self sabotaging. Things are much different now, my quality of life has gotten better; I take pride in being me and knowing I have a presence. I strongly believe that therapy and taking care of your mental health is important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. By receiving support and love from the people closest to me, i’ve done better for myself and want better for my future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.28k.black
• Instagram: https://www.instgram.com/28karatblack

Image Credits

N/A