Q

What's SiKK's mission, and why is it important
for communities everywhere?

A

SiKK Magazine's mission is to highlight Black creativity freshly and
positively, to inspire other Black artists to believe in and follow their
creative passions. We strive to educate about and advocate for the
expansion of Black people in all fields of art. We believe that the
arts can strengthen and enrich every community if all people are
given equal opportunity to participate.

Q

What did you learn from spending time with
Converse creatives?

A

One of the speakers, Journee, made the distinction between
"empower" and "re-power." She said that "empower" assumes
that the group being spoken about was once powerless, which is
often not the case. I think this is especially important to remember
as I do work with SiKK. The artists we showcase are powerful
regardless of our or others' recognition; however, we can help
add to that power with our platform and support.
 

Q

What was the biggest takeaway from those
two days?

A

The power of think-tanks. Being able to talk freely with a few
dedicated and inspiring artists gave us so many ideas. We think
that smaller, community-based discussions could be a tool for all
to grow, even if it does not include a photoshoot, etc.
 

Q

The most memorable moment?

A

My favorite moment came at the end of the event. In the
beginning, everyone was nervous because we were all meeting
each other for the first time. By the end, the energy was
completely different. Everyone was laughing and conversing
freely. Artists were able to make connections and friendships
with each other directly from this moment spent in discussion.
That was amazing to watch.
 

Q

What did the I Stand For shoe—and this moment—
mean to you?

A

The shoe is a great memento. It allows me to have a physical
representation of the ideas and passions I had at this moment. I
plan to keep them forever. This moment showed me that SiKK's
voice is not going unnoticed. Sometimes as an entrepreneur you
can feel isolated. Being with all those amazing artists, sharing
their views and time, reaffirmed the purpose of this work. As long
as people like that want to talk to us, we're doing something right.
 

Q

How can the act of expressing yourself on your shoes inspire
the world around you?

A

One of the first things I notice about an outfit is the shoes. If you
write what you believe in, what you stand for, on your shoes, you
are creating the opportunity to inspire all the people you walk by.
 

Q

What does it really mean to stand for something?

A

Standing for something is believing in something. When you
believe in something, you use your ideas, energy, and actions to
bring it to fruition.
 

Q

What else is SiKK working towards in 2020?

A

Currently, SiKK is working on refining its visual identity and
stylistic fingerprint. We are striving for more in-person
engagement events, starting with our second annual music
festival, Mucus Fest 2020, in February. Our primary goal is
to share our mission more thoroughly and effectively with
all parts of the world. You'll see a lot more from us—
interviews, videos, and celebrations.