Last summer, I attended Keep the Promise (#ktpUSA) if you missed the original post just click here. I'll wait ;)
OK, are you back? Great event right?!
During this event, I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the performers and speakers, including music artist @Raheem_DeVaughn and actress @DianeGuerrero_. I also spoke with a "new to me" visual artist, @DemontPinder.
OK, are you back? Great event right?!
During this event, I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the performers and speakers, including music artist @Raheem_DeVaughn and actress @DianeGuerrero_. I also spoke with a "new to me" visual artist, @DemontPinder.
Diane Guerrero, AKA Lina from Jane the Virgin, BKA Ramos from Orange is the New Black
Diane and I spoke about her new book, In the Country We Love: My Family Divided, where she shares her childhood story as an undocumented immigrant. Did you know she has lived on her own since the age of 14 due to her parents deportation?
While signing my complimentary copy of her book, Diane asked me if I spelled my name D-I-A-M-O-N-D. I said yes and she laughed while saying there's a girl in my book whose name is Diamond, when you get to that part you'll see why I asked.
It was great to hear Diane's unique perspective to US immigration laws at this event and to talk to her one on one afterwards. She's super sweet, passionate and down to Earth. I encourage you to check out her book if you haven't and get involved in this social issue if you're interested in this cause.
While signing my complimentary copy of her book, Diane asked me if I spelled my name D-I-A-M-O-N-D. I said yes and she laughed while saying there's a girl in my book whose name is Diamond, when you get to that part you'll see why I asked.
It was great to hear Diane's unique perspective to US immigration laws at this event and to talk to her one on one afterwards. She's super sweet, passionate and down to Earth. I encourage you to check out her book if you haven't and get involved in this social issue if you're interested in this cause.
After listening him light the stage up, I met recording artist @Raheem_DeVaughn, as well as, visual artist @DemontPinder. I attended this event with one of my good girlfriends and she is "in love" with Mr. DeVaughn, in fact it's the only reason she agreed to go with me. I had heard his music before this event and enjoy his better known tracks but realized, after seeing his performance and buying his Love Sex Passion album, that I had been sleeping on him.
Good thing I had her along to wake me up ;) Tracks 2 & 4 gave me life!!!
Good thing I had her along to wake me up ;) Tracks 2 & 4 gave me life!!!
During his performance, Raheem had visual artist, @DemontPinder paint a portrait of professional tennis player Arthur Ashe to bring a spotlight to the event's cause, HIV/AIDS awareness.
Mr. Ashe has been a long time personal inspiration and hero of mine since I was in elementary school. As an African American high school and collegiate tennis player, there were very few success stories to aspire to in my day but there were some. Zina Garrison and Arthur Ashe were the most well known examples at the time. The Williams sisters, (Serena and Venus of course) and I are around the same age so their stories were unfolding as I grew up.
While Raheem sang and Demont painted, I had no idea what he was creating, but as soon as Mr. Pinder began painting those trademark frames my heart skipped a beat. I decided in that moment that I wanted to meet Demont and inquire about his artwork.
Mr. Ashe has been a long time personal inspiration and hero of mine since I was in elementary school. As an African American high school and collegiate tennis player, there were very few success stories to aspire to in my day but there were some. Zina Garrison and Arthur Ashe were the most well known examples at the time. The Williams sisters, (Serena and Venus of course) and I are around the same age so their stories were unfolding as I grew up.
While Raheem sang and Demont painted, I had no idea what he was creating, but as soon as Mr. Pinder began painting those trademark frames my heart skipped a beat. I decided in that moment that I wanted to meet Demont and inquire about his artwork.
 Visual artist @DemontPinder at work |  The moment I knew I was witnessing some truly special |
While getting my copy of Love Sex Passion from @Raheem_DeVaughn, I asked him about the painting that was created during his performance. He said he didn't know what the artist planned on doing with it but it could be purchased, possibly. I asked him to connect me with the artist and he immediately had him called from backstage to where we were.
While I waited for Demont to arrive I listened to Dr. Cornell West speak about the importance of using our political power to shape our future and history. If only we all listened and responded accordingly, smh.
But I digress...
When Mr. Pinder arrived, I told him how much I enjoyed his portion of the show and the special connection I had to Mr. Ashe. He graciously accepted my compliments and agreed to take the picture below. I also asked if the painting was for sale. He told me that unfortunately it was already sold :( He did offer to make a 8" X 10" of the same painting or another painting of someone else, a generous consolation :) I told him I would think about it while I enjoyed the rest of the event and we exchanged information to stay in contact.
Later that week, he shared a bit more about himself and some of the other pieces he has created. He's been touring with Raheem for about 15 years, has been featured in @BlackEnterprise magazine and has made artwork for many names we all know. Take a look at his Muhammad Ali painting below!
The Keep the Promise AIDS awareness affair was awesome in itself but personal interactions like these made it even more special for me. If the city of Cleveland serves as a host for this FREE event again I'M THERE! #beatyouthere
But I digress...
When Mr. Pinder arrived, I told him how much I enjoyed his portion of the show and the special connection I had to Mr. Ashe. He graciously accepted my compliments and agreed to take the picture below. I also asked if the painting was for sale. He told me that unfortunately it was already sold :( He did offer to make a 8" X 10" of the same painting or another painting of someone else, a generous consolation :) I told him I would think about it while I enjoyed the rest of the event and we exchanged information to stay in contact.
Later that week, he shared a bit more about himself and some of the other pieces he has created. He's been touring with Raheem for about 15 years, has been featured in @BlackEnterprise magazine and has made artwork for many names we all know. Take a look at his Muhammad Ali painting below!
The Keep the Promise AIDS awareness affair was awesome in itself but personal interactions like these made it even more special for me. If the city of Cleveland serves as a host for this FREE event again I'M THERE! #beatyouthere
Follow Demont Pinder on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Focus on the art, focus on the art, focus on the art ..... *smile*
RSS Feed
