Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marshay Wells. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Marshay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
As a writer and creative its always been important for me to showcase my activism through artistry. My apparel brand, Saint Shakespeare Apparel Movement, is more than cool concepts on t-shirts. I’ve purposed my brand to become a sounding board, and our customers as walking billboards; each slogan has an affirming power in itself, inspired by the culture for the culture. Slogans such as, “Thank God I’m Black”, “I See Black People”, “Black is Light”, and “Black Privilege”, all scream out boldly without making any noise. The idea to use words to counterattack social norms was inspired by the need for self-love, self-care, and self-awareness within my community. I can remember drawing self portraits as a child with words and scriptures surrounding my picture and being proud enough of my work to hang it on my bedroom wall. Looking at this self portrait every morning, I believe built my self esteem and I wondered if my friends and classmates were doing the same, if they believed in themselves just as much as I believed in myself. Being taught words indeed have power; speaking life or death to any situation, person, or place based on the intent opened my eyes to what activism could look like for me. Take the phrase “Thank God I’m Black” for example, in a society where many of us are programmed to believe black represents death, fear, and darkness this slogan combats that with a sense of pride and gratefulness to be born this way. Unlike our forefathers we have the privilege to be radical on our own terms, to be openly thankful for the advantages we posses just by being. I can recall my years at summer camp as a teenager studying in The Upper Peninsula and having my first racist encounter. I was one of the few minorities, my fellow campmates had hid me with their bodies during a boating trip while we coasted through a “no coloreds allowed” area. It took only 5 minutes to coast pass this particular area however, from my peripheral I could see men staring and standing with guns next to flags with Nazi symbols, asking who we were and where we were we from. I never felt so alone and afraid, so angry to experience the need to hid the color of skin in fear of harassment or worse case death. I remember being numb and silent during the conversation our instructors had back on campus concerning ethics, different cultures and human rights. That experience set a fire within me that has yet to burn out, having a voice when told to being silent and unseen was ammunition for change. Many millennials are on journeys of self-discovery, redefining ourselves without the textbook identity we were groomed to be. Pro-black is not anti-white, its a self declaration of loving yourself into your destiny. My brand creates the platform for this ideology.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Marshay Wells, I am a creative and brand owner from the eastside of Detroit. I provide services to my community that promotes cultural advancement. Photography, graphic design, creative direction, and fashion are my top services. Based on the clients needs I am capable to bring forth their vision with professionalism and a special touch, leaving you believing in yourself your own craft just a little more. I believe we all have a light, some of us have been charged to help brighten others. My work aides in being a stepping stone or platform for you.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
For me, the message is the mission and will always drive my creative journey. As a writer being able to convey concepts that could spark the minds and spirit of a person is the reward. Ive always been inspired by social issues and how this affects my community socially and mentally. I have the goal to infiltrate the streets, church and state with bold slogans loaded with self affirming power. A person that is self aware, is more engaged with social issues which in turn can birth a new generation of community minded individuals. I have the vison to use billboards, public buildings, abandoned neighborhoods as a form of visual artistry.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Non-creatives may view my visual artistry as being combative, prejudice and outlandish however my goal is to empower and enlighten.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopwithsaint.com
- Instagram: @m.c.wells, @st.shakespearebrand, @shootwithsaint
- Facebook: Marshay Wells, Saint Shakespeare Apparel Movement, ShakespeareTV
Image Credits
Marshay Wells @shootwithsaint