We were lucky to catch up with Kevito Clark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kevito, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

With ‘Love, Peace & Spades™’ entering its second year in Los Angeles, we’ve been blessed to have wonderful moments while at our monthly residency at The LINE LA (3515 Wilshire Blvd.). From surprise attendees who’ve starred on stage and screen to crafting beautiful experiences for our attendees to enjoy—nothing could have prepared us for the craziness that occurred this February, during the 2024 Black History Month celebration.

The weather had already been giving people trouble because it seemed like it wouldn’t stop raining. But at the time, there was just enough of a break that made people feel comfortable to come out to play culturally rich games. Two past attendees—Caleb and Deja—joined into the mix. They had met during our first year of operation, as interested players who wanted to get a game of Spades in.

Fast forward to a year later, and now they were Mr. and Mrs. Austin, which was crazy because ‘Love, Peace & Spades™’ is all about creating a “hush harbor” where intergenerational communion through music, education, tech, and play can happen.

And it did.

We also had the local news in the building as part of their Black History Month coverage.

Almost on cue, the rain came down in a torrential downpour. No one was heading back outside, which made it an even crazier moment when a half-naked melanin-deprived person came inside and began accosting our attendees. This person was verbally attacking people, even sitting wet and without a lot of clothes on, right… next… to the Austins.

It was maddening. But proof of the power of our attendees and how our nights create a safe space for #AllPlayersWelcome, once security had the matter under control—everybody kept it moving. This person didn’t interrupt gameplay, yet we engaged positively with hotel security and the trespasser to ensure that everyone continued to have a good time.

It was a good time, indeed, but also one of the craziest experiences I’ve had since becoming an entrepreneur.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Personally, my background is in digital media and journalism. Upon relocating from Brooklyn to South Central, Los Angeles, I moved into entrepreneurship thanks to working with dedicated members of the community and brilliant minds behind the Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival. In working with them, I saw the power and purpose behind creating experiences that positively represent our community.

By our, I specifically mean the Black community.

As someone who came of age playing Spades with friends, it was sad to learn how many people are standoffish to play because of negative associations tied to such a culturally rich game. With that in mind, ‘Love, Peace & Spades™’ was developed to offer interested parties a “hush harbor,” a sacred space to find leisure, play, and like-minded people to have fun with.

In addition to gameplay, we offer pop-up experiences, skills-based education (“Spades Academy™”), tech/VR integration, a comprehensive directory of Black-owned businesses, game developers, and makers, plus an annual Spades tournament and festival for enthusiastic attendees to participate in. I am proud of the environment we’ve created and the purpose behind this game night series. It directly sets us apart from others who craft similar settings.

I want those reading this story or who have heard about our event to note that #AllPlayersWelcome is our mantra. We invite people who want to build rewarding relationships with others in Los Angeles to have a unique experience with us, where your life can change one card at a time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As I mentioned earlier, I have a background in digital media and journalism. It’s no secret how AI and other factors have greatly impacted that industry. Add in the WGA strike from earlier this year, and it was more than apparent that I needed to pivot and move away from that arena.

I had gone through a personal life transition, making the pathway to entrepreneurship a point of interest. Witnessing just how much control an entity, corporation, or school of thought can have over others inspired me to develop SUBJECT TO CHANGE LLC to focus on providing a haven for community members to play games, build new relationships, share retained generational knowledge, and directly address the emotional traumas that people have with these games.

It is important to myself, our crew, and those who attend, encouraging my pivot in both business and life, to become a rewarding exercise in giving and being of service to others.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the time that it took me to get to this point, I have consistently been associated with resiliency. From being born earlier than my timeline schedule to overcoming kidney failure in 2012 to then receiving a new kidney (thank you forever, Anslem Rocque) to have a second chance at life—I have been resilient in numerous ways.

But the one I can share here pertains to my move to Los Angeles and developing SUBJECT TO CHANGE LLC.

Knowing the industry I spent the last 20 years was shifting into something foreign, the move to Los Angeles occurred because of a job, but when that opportunity was taken back, I had limited options. Thankfully, encouraged by wonderful people who are native to Los Angeles, they recognized the rarity in the concept of ‘Love, Peace & Spades™,’ and empowered me to not only resiliently find my way out of a dark hole, but also gave me the courage to take the flying leap into entrepreneurship.

Everyone who has supported me/us, and what we’re doing in sharing retained generational knowledge with others through leisure and play, I thank you greatly with my entire heart.

I look forward to having you with us throughout this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovepeaceandspades.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovepeaceandspades
• Twitter: https://x.com/lovepeacespades
• Other: https://linktr.ee/love.peace.spades

Image Credits

Jason Armond (Los Angeles Times), Jerome A. Shaw (Visibooth), Kevito Clark (Subject To Change LLC).