We were lucky to catch up with Rahiem Grimsley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rahiem, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

On August 19th, I finished a year-long project called NWK52. Let’s Go Outside. One Year in Newark. Beginning in August 2023, using my phone, I have taken and shared a photo every week about my birth city Newark, New Jersey. NWK52 is my passion project to show Newark through my eyes as I travel around the city as a lifetime resident of 52 years. I started the project because I complained for years that I was disappointed how Newark has been portrayed in photography exhibits and in the national media.

So, for the past year 52 weeks, I have shared an image to a Newark Themed gallery on my website, www.rageagainstordinary.com. Those same images were also shared on my Instagram along with Jersey themed audio and music. IG rageagainstordinary. As of 8/24/2024, there are 4 galleries consisting of 13 images.

Rahiem, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born on February 9, 1972 at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ. I attended Bragaw Elementary School. I then attended Arts High School where I was an Art and Photography major. After graduation, I attended New Jersey City University but back then it was Jersey City State College. While in college, I did internships at MTV and HBO. I graduated with a double major in Media Arts and Marketing. After college, I worked in advertising for 4 years. First at Harrington Righter and Parsons as a junior sales selling TV commercial time. A year later, I worked at JWT Specialized Communications that did recruitment advertising for Human Resources departments. In 2000, I started working as a TV Analyst tracking music royalties for songwriters and publishers at the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP). Currently, I am still working there.

I founded two part-time businesses: a sole proprietorship photography business called Sacred Art & Images (later named Photoholicflix) in 2003 and a talent management business named Sacred Management LLC in 2004. I also co-founded an entertainment business called Networkshops in 2003 that specialized in entertainment business seminars. We closed Networkshops in 2007. I closed Sacred Management LLC in 2008. And I finally closed Photoholicflix in 2016. In 2020, a month before COVID, I launched my passion project that is an art and creative advocacy platform called Rage Against Ordinary LLC.

Rage Against Ordinary refers to a mindset that challenges conventional norms and rejects mediocrity in favor of extraordinary pursuits, creativity, and unique expression. It is under Rage Against Ordinary where I decided to launch the year-long project called NWK52: Let’s Go Outside. One Year in Newark.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding thing about working as a creative is the interaction with my community and my creative peers.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal with the NWK52 project was to share my personal visual perspective of Newark. When people think about Newark, New Jersey they either think about the 1967 riot, the airport and probably crimes like stolen cars and carjacking. But there’s more to the city than that. So, my drive to complete the 52 week project came from my frustration of seeing the city portrayed in a mostly negative way. I wanted to highlight various aspects of the city from the annual Cherry Blossom Festival to the residents to the various summertime festivities. I was so proud to have my week 4 photo called Latin Festival selected for the Nork! Photo Fest back in September 2023. That photography fest celebrated the people and the city of Newark. My photo, Latin Festival, was blown up and on display in Military Park which is located in the heart of downtown Newark for 4 weeks. The photo display remained up long enough to overlapped with the Newark Arts Festival which draws thousands of people to the city. So, from as early as the 4th week, I felt like NWK52 was a creative success. I actually cried tears of joy when I saw my photo in the park. I’m extremely proud of that moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rageagainstordinary.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rageagainstordinary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RageAgainstOrdinary/

Image Credits

1. Rahiem Altariq Grimsley with Latin Festival photo for the Nork! Photo Fest in Military Park – Photo by Erika Y. Jackson

2. Latin Festival – Photo by Rahiem Altariq Grimsley

3. Neighborhood vs Neighborhood Summer Basketball League – Photo by Rahiem Altariq Grimsley

4. Newark Penn Station – Photo by Rahiem Altariq Grimsley

5. Elizabeth Tower – Photo by Rahiem Altariq Grimsley