In Honor of Juneteenth: Eight Black Artists to Check out and Support
Photo creds: Xhosa Fray-Chin, Model @ziggy2playa
Since our founding in 2017, we've championed fellow black artists, entrepreneurs, and creators -- and this year is no different. In celebration of Juneteenth, we've compiled a list of some of our faves to share with you. Be sure to support them today, tomorrow, and every day.
As always, keep us in mind for all things video production in NYC -- we have you covered.
Anthony Artis
We've worked with NYC photographer Anthony Artis personally, and one thing is for certain -- the man always delivers on an assignment. He finds the storytelling angle in just about every frame that he captures, and with 15 years of experience, he knows how to create quality, compelling images.
The highly sought-after artist has shot with notable brands such as Disney Plus, The New York Times, Essence, Apollo Theatre, NYC Blue Note Jazz, Complex Magazine, Cultured Mag, and Pattern Magazine.
Abigail Whitney
Photo cred: @theanastasiaray, Makeup: @beautywithveee
We covered Toronto's Princess with an in-depth article back in 2017, and it's good to know that she's only continued to blossom since. The multi-hyphenate artist is a Model, Actor, Film & Stage Director, and she's the founder of Abigail Whitney Productions. Keep an eye out for "The Noose", coming October of this year.
Barrington Brissett
Photo creds: Barrington Brissett
We’ve witnessed Barrington’s work ethic first-hand, and it’s been awesome to see his craft blossom in real-time. Barrington considers his work a “Love letter to the people”, and his approach backs it up. He excels when he’s interpreting moments, people, and characters from pop-culture – like the recent joints he did of Spike Lee’s work.
Spike wisely copped two of Barrington’s joints, and you can too, below.
Learn more: https://www.barribrissettart.com/
Elias Williams
Photo creds: Elias Williams
We met the NYC photographer through our film The Sound of Southside, and we’ve been mesmerized by his work ever since. Elias collaborates often with giants like The New York Times, taking portraits of some of the most iconic figures. What we love most though is his passion projects like his St. Albans or BMX work. Through long-term portrait-based projects, Elias celebrates historically underrepresented communities like only he can.
Learn more: https://www.eliaswilliams.com/
Kyra Knox
Photo creds: @_jraginphotography
Kyra tells stories that matter, simple and plain. Her film Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia was an eye-opening and impactful story that won awards throughout the country. The 2023 Sundance Producer Fellow has overseen productions across a wide variety of formats and industries and is passionate about telling human stories that connect audiences to a shared meaning and purpose.
Learn more: https://www.kyraknox.com/
Sid Snipes Jr (3amsnipes)
Photo cred: @allenhousecreative, @allenhousestudios
3amsnipes is a one-man creative design studio specializing in designing key art & brand identity throughout the entertainment industry. The freelance graphic designer has worked with companies like TNT, Netflix, and the NBA – he also hooked us up with some dope key art for our indie film. Snipes creates clean art and timeless visuals for a diverse clientele – or, as he would say – he makes dope work for dope people.
Learn more: https://www.3amsnipes.com/
Xhosa Fray-Chinn
Photo cred: Xhosa Fray-Chinn
We met Xhosa through our residency at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, and the NYC filmmaker is definitely someone to keep an eye on. His work is unapologetically arthouse – reminiscent of the classic Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch stuff. Xhosa is also a photographer (Check out his book “Beauty Behind the Blackness”) which makes sense, when considering how he approaches his compositions. His work revolves around giving his perspective on the beauty of the Black experience and addressing where it can go narratively.
Learn more: https://xhosafraychinn.com/xho
Gritty Vibes Studios
Photo creds: Amanda Hunt
You didn’t think we’d exclude ourselves from this list, did you? Since 2017, we’ve created passion-filled work meant to uplift the people. Our body of work includes two multi award winning feature films, a novel that is currently on curriculum for schools, hundreds of articles like these, and client work for places both large and small. While you’ll see many companies put on a show for Juneteenth, as if they were with us all along — that’s never been us. Gritty Vibes Studios has always been about black folks, it’s just that simple.
As always, keep us in mind for all things video production in NYC -- we have you covered.