Meet our guest editor Carlos Samuels for a special Monday issue of Here! Carlos is a professional photographer, owner of FlashoverVisions, and firefighter. From a teenage hobby of capturing his community with disposable cameras, Carlos' passion blossomed, eventually leading to the founding of FlashoverVisions. After facing personal struggles, he found comfort in photography, focusing particularly on his native Richmond landscapes. Carlos has since shared his love for landscape photography far and wide around the country. While his following has grown, Carlos always makes sure to save time for volunteering at local schools, providing professional headshots during Teacher Appreciation Week and class photos across all grade levels. The yoga and wellness community within Richmond – including Shanna Thornton, BareSoul Yoga, The Well Collective, and Ashley Williams – have also served as a source of inspiration for Carlos as he regularly documents their practices. When he's not behind the lens, you can find Carlos serving our community as a Richmond City Firefighter and a mentor with Communities in Schools for Richmond Public Schools.
Take it away, Carlos...
Race in Richmond at Main St. Station
The Race in Richmond exhibit is not to be missed. Initially planted at The Well Collective, the exhibit is now LIVE at Main Street Station, from February 16, 2024 to March 11, 2024. Race in Richmond will have a Community Night on Tuesday, February 27th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The exhibit displays one-of-a-kind art, interactive experiences, and in-depth photography. You’ll be given an opportunity to visualize the reality of race and its role in Richmond.
As a landscape photographer, exploring public parks -- from neighborhood parks to state parks -- brings me so much joy. From Virginia State Parks (like High Bridge Trail, Twin Lakes, and Natural Bridge) to James River Park System (Belle Isle, Pony Pasture, and Huguenot Flatwater), you'll find endless opportunities for beauty, recreation, and community engagement. Here in Richmond, I use the park systems to experience nature, wildlife, peace, and it also serves as a therapeutic reset where I can express myself in nature photography and poetry.
Being a live music lover, Legacy Band is my local favorite. They perform at a variety of different venues throughout the Richmond area. I personally love hearing them perform outdoors at Dogwood Dell in the warmer months! Up next, Legacy Band will be at Vagabond on Saturday, March 9 at 5:30 pm; be sure to check them out.
FlashoverVisions began as an escape from reality and life for Carlos. Behind the lens, life stood still, fears vanished, and trying to find himself had begun.
"I don’t have all the expensive lenses, the expensive camera body, expensive lighting, studio access, etc.. So I have to work hard; just to get the right shot, use what I have, catch the right angle; just to capture the right moment," says Carlos. "Whether voluntary or commission. I’ve been blessed with so many once in a lifetime opportunities with this camera. It’s not even believable to me sometimes."
Erica "Ease" Claiborne, a Richmond, Virginia native, epitomizes creativity and resilience. She views creativity as a gateway to happiness and a form of therapy, evident in her diverse pursuits ranging from entrepreneurship to DJing, community advocacy, culinary arts, and agriculture. Despite the male-dominated nature of the industry, Ease became a self-taught DJ and sound engineer following her grandmother's passing in 2013. Starting with donated equipment and support from loved ones, she showcased her eclectic music taste at various events, including historical gigs like Wu Tang Clan's 36 Chambers: 25th Anniversary concert in Washington, DC, and Virginia Governor Northam's Pride Month proclamation at the Executive Mansion.
Ease's commitment extends beyond music; she founded Alleviative Productions in 2019, initially focusing on DJ services but later expanding to advocate for her community during tumultuous events like the pandemic and protests. Her dedication to cultural preservation led her to collaborate with organizations like For the Fem In You, where she now serves as production manager, creating safe spaces for Brown women in music and arts. Currently pursuing an associate's degree in Architectural Engineering and Technology, Ease aims to reclaim ancestral spaces and facilitate restoration projects while also indulging in personal passions like long-distance cycling, growing food and flowers, and visiting cemeteries.
Take it away, Ease...
Black AF: A Black Herstory Celebration
A celebration of Black love, joy, freedom, and culture. Black AF, aims to empower, uplift, and unite community with a day of honoring the past, present, and future. Expect to enjoy a day of local Black-Owned businesses, vegan soul food & treats, art, and live performances featuring local dancers, poets, singers, and DJ’s. This Black AF will feature a special production curated by Alleviative Productions entitled, “When Women Speak," a short film of clips documenting some of the most celebrated Black and Indigenous women within American advocacy and education. The film provides their perceptions & teachings regarding the origins surrounding the dehumanization of people of color throughout history & the diaspora. The 42 minute live screening will be looped during the event within the ICA’s auditorium. (Parental Advisory Suggested)
Soul N’ Vinegar opened June 2018 and this grab n’ go shop focuses on selling delicious, health conscious foods for everyone in the community. I'm a health conscious eater, 100% vegan, and I enjoy supporting local eateries within the community that take pride in offering yummy vegan options. Recently, I took an adventure to Soul N' Vinegar's new location on the corner of 30th and Q St. in historic Church Hill. The Chai Tea Latte with oat milk is perfectly crafted in house. The vegetable spring rolls were super fresh, paired with my favorite chili oil for dipping, and are vegan & gluten-free. Lastly, the falafel itself served inside of the falafel wrap is possibly the best I've ever had! The combination of crispy falafel and crunchy slaw was heavenly. The portion of their wrap is plenty, so one can save some for later to relive the whole experience of exciting those taste buds all over again.
For The Fem In You is a Richmond-based non-profit organization centered around creating safe spaces for the Women of Color and the LGBTQ+ community. Their programming aims to support women's wellness mentally, physically, and spiritually via interactive events, pop-up markets, community collaboration, festivals, and artist activations. Celebrating ordinary women doing extraordinary things. For The Fem In You seeks to obtain a permanent location for the expansion of its future programming.
In May 2019, Ease founded Alleviative Productions, initially focusing on DJ services but later expanding into mixed media offerings. The tumultuous events of 2020, including the pandemic and protests, spurred Ease to document and advocate for her community's rights. She organized grassroots efforts, providing free food, water, and first aid during the Monument Avenue protests. Alleviative Productions is a sound and visual media platform that specializes in sound curation, live production & management, and visual documentary.
Meet this week’s guest editor, Paris Sutherlin! You can find Paris regularly pushing the community forward through her work as a storyteller, creative consultant, and content creator focused on celebrating our home and beyond. Paris is also the owner of a local, small business called Gifted & Grateful and she takes pride in empowering others to pursue their passions, especially other Black female entrepreneurs. When she’s not making an impact in the River City, Paris works as a flight attendant where she enjoys exploring different parts of the world and immersing herself in other cultures. As someone who travels frequently for work, she has learned to think beyond the traditional corporate environment and carve out her own unique career path. Despite her globe hopping, Paris always remains rooted in her local community of Richmond where she finds her biggest inspiration.
Take it away, Paris …
Kula Voncille's Hip-Hop Cabaret at VMFA
As a Richmond native, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has been a staple in so many creative and cultural memories of my childhood. I have a new found appreciation for all that the VMFA offers to foster connection to the community and the arts. This month will be the culmination of Dawoud Bey: Elegy, an exhibit focused in part on the history of the Virginia Slave Trail. Beyond the gallery walls and visiting hours, the VMFA hosts After 5 Fridays. Today, February 16th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Cochrane Atrium you can catch Hip-Hop Cabaret with sounds of 90s fusion by Kula Voncille. Her humor and energy makes this an event to catch!
Race in Richmond is an art exhibit that explores the complex conversation surrounding racism, identity, and perception. Each piece of this interactive display of art sheds light on the reality of race and its role in the city of Richmond. The next phase of Race in Richmond will be showcased in the Gallery at Main Street Station from Friday, February 16th to March 11th, with an opening reception on February 20th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. This exhibit promises to take you on a journey through photography, videography, and storytelling. Race in Richmond not only aims to be an interactive exhibit, but also the continuation of a conversation that raises awareness and calls for change.
Plant lovers and aspiring plant parents alike are invited to join Shades of Moss Record and Plant Shop as they collaborate with Richmond’s own Hatch Local for Plant Parenting 101. On Wednesday, February 21st at 5:30 pm in Manchester at Hatch Local, learn the basics of indoor plant parenting and connect with plant lovers in the community. Shades of Moss brings an indie vibe to the RVA plant scene, as they have created a space that offers a curated vinyl collection just as unique as their plant selection.
Paris is driven by the power of human connection. The ability to bring people together through poignant and moving experiences is what motivates her. As a creative, Paris uses visual storytelling as one of her methods to connect with others. Her hope is to inspire and create experiences that are accessible and intentional for her community. When Paris is not creating visuals, she is giving back to Richmond in a different way. In 2020, she started Gifted and Grateful, a custom-curated gifting service. This passion project was born during the pandemic as a means to connect people with their loved ones, especially as we found ourselves separated by far more than six feet. Gifted and Grateful continues to serve Greater Richmond as a one-stop shop for both corporate and personal gifting needs.
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