One day while I was getting my day started I received a random text message stating “U about to be on the news.. fox incase u want to record it.”
😳… Ummmm TF I’mma be on the news for???
I was all the way confused because on top of the message itself, it was also coming from a number that I didn't recognize… so eventually I responded with the ever so infamous “???”and then proceeded to disregard the message, until one of my friends posted on Facebook and messaged me about being on the news for a mask exhibit… A Whet? I had no idea whatsoever.
Click below for the Fox 5 NY clip containing my image for Masked NYC;
Masked NYC is an effort by photographer/filmmaker AJ Stetson to share the strength, dignity, diversity, and beauty he witnessed in New Yorkers during such a momentous time. Speaking of, the pic of me presented was actually taken during me protesting at Union Square on June 4, 2020. *check out live video footage of that day via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVkQkQV18uSz-FpnzX46P2Q?view_as=subscriber
It’s so funny because I actually remember the moment AJ asked to take my pic. It was one of those times when I didn't network within the moment, but just allowed the moment to happen. People often take photos of me and I don't always follow-up regarding where it will be, but unbeknownst to me I was posing for a moment that was about to manifest itself! Fast forward to four months later, and that very picture of me would be presented on a TV screen that’s played during prime time for millions of viewers. I was low-key hyped… I was on the news! That's not shxt that u see every day. Now granted ain’t like I was highlighted or had some featured interview where I got to bring mass attention to my brand… BUT the fact that my visual was selected as part of an overall marketing visual for a movement... Yea, I'm Wit It!!!
So anyway... watching the news segment, I found out that there was an outdoor exhibit of images from that project that was going to be ending within a few days. I knew for a fact that I had to make my way there just to see if by chance my photo was on display.
It Was!!! I made it to the exhibit on its’ last day an hour before it was gonna close… I legit was walking down the block looking for it when BOOM… I seen a pic of me blown up and I was in awe. Press Play on the following video for my live moments of that moment!
So here I am viewing my photo and filming the live exhibit when another BOOM happened… I ran into the photographer himself... AJ Stetson, who I haven't seen nor spoken to since that very day!
It was such an authentic moment tho because AJ expressed how I was one of the beginning individuals in which he took pics of, and had no idea it was gonna turn into what it did, nor did he have any way to get in contact with me because we forgot to exchange information. We reminisced about the actual moment we met up until us meeting again. We even walked through his exhibit just talking about it and him informing me of who some of the other maskers were. When we spoke about how there's so much being told through the eyes, that's when he shared with me how a curator saw such intensity in my eyes and how there's a message there of "Don't Fxck With Me"... and BAYBEE, he didn't even know how ON BRAND that was for me... because I most definitely exude... DON'T FXCK WITH ME! *I should put that on a shirt* LoL
So not only was the exhibit being showcased at the Quaker Meeting House in Manhattan, but it also peaked the interests of a few other establishments including Pace University!
There's so many wonderful things and people I've found out about just by being a part of this. So feel free to follow the movement yourself and stay current with any information regarding MaskedNYC by visiting https://www.ajstetson.com/maskednyc
So yea, I was on the news, for something great… and that shxt felt AMAZING!!!
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