Have we Blossomed? [A reflection on Carvd N Stone's first documentary "Blossom"]
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Have we Blossomed?
The question is one I would like you to ponder as you continue to read this reflection.
CopyWrite Magazine was recently invited to see Carvd N Stones first documentary project "Blossom". The journalistic piece previewed at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, with the help of Alderwoman Milele Coggs on December 14th, 2021. The project featured Mikel McGee, the owner of 414loral, a florist shop in the heart of Milwaukee's Bronzeville Culture & Entertainment District.
The documentary was a micro-capture of how Black entrepreneurship in Milwaukee is possible, though the idea of the project was to show business elevation despite pandemic impact. As it showed McGee's recollection of her story [a very positive one indeed], and small anecdotes from her staff, it also triggered questions [for me] about community we don't often ask publicly.
Questions like:
When an individual in our community has a craft that brings joy, how is it celebrated?
What defines Black Entrepreneurship in Milwaukee, and who does it have to benefit to be acknowledged?
What is the media's role in expanding what stories should be told? Or, What is the community's role in supporting their local [no-conglomerate] media?
Is being seen more important than creating systemic impact?
Are wins, wins without communal validation?
Is quality a prerequisite for success? Or can that be negotiated?
What is a local media maker's responsibility to another local media maker?
Blossom may be a niche story but the fact that it exists adds to a larger narrative. It's a community story. A community story of how one Black Journalist [Stone], received a grant, and used it to tell a Black business owners story [McGee], and asked a public official to help with its showing [Coggs], then in turn invited their community [Me, a Black Journalists? Us? Ours?] to see it.
The narrative was even further pushed forward with a talk back panel discussion with Mikel McGee (star of the film), Tonda Thompson (owner of She Slangs Wood) and Corey Fells (co-founder of Black Space), that unfortunately I couldn't stay for, but am sure had nuances of hope and rhetoric of change we strive to suggest.
So to return to my initial question, "Have we blossomed?", is to suggest we think about how we pour into each other as a city and a people. Have we grown out of the idea that we can not build community or businesses alone? Have we cultivated enough relationships to suggest that the foundations we have made may have been watered by many? That when we break ground it gives seeds a chance to grow.
It's nice to see that there are flowers being given [all puns intended] to those who are just at the start of their journey's and I hope that pushes more flowers to be given [maybe more documentaries?] to those who tilled the soil.
Lexi S. Brunson
Editor-in-Chief /CW
Kennita Hickman is First Black Woman to Win Local Music Award
/We would like to congratulate Kennita Hickman on the win!
Making history is one thing, getting that love from home is another! Your /CW Fam just want to say. . .
“Look at that Black Women in her greatness. SHE DID THAT!”
information provided by Catera Omnivision
Kennita Hickman, owner and chief culture curator of Catera, a musician management and media company, won the 2021 Radio Milwaukee Music Ambassador award. This award is given to individuals or organizations for their outstanding work towards advancing and elevating the Milwaukee music scene. Kennita is the first Black woman to win the Radio Milwaukee’s Music Ambassador award since the awards began in 2007.
Radio Milwaukee emailed in a statement, “Anyone who knows Kennita knows she’s a BOSS. Through her work with Catera, she uses her creative marketing know-how and entrepreneurial spirit to uplift our music community and show them new and unique opportunities.”
Catera’s recent projects include the curation, promotion, and production of Artist Eats, a series highlighting independent musicians and local restaurants as a bridge to food and music, two avenues that bring diverse groups of people together. Hickman also lined up local musicians for Lakeside at MAM, a summer activation program at the Milwaukee Art Museum to encourage a safe gathering place outdoors. In addition, Hickman facilitated local talent for Music on the Beerline, a one-day event with Riverworks MKE to activate underutilized outdoor space in Harambee. Hickman has also penned several opinion pieces for local news outlets on the importance of pay equity, and work balance for creative entrepreneurs.
“I’m humbled to have been chosen as the winner for this prestigious local award. Thank you in part to Radio Milwaukee for ensuring that Milwaukee's music scene continues to thrive. Catera is proud to be a part of it,” Hickman said. “As a Black-woman entrepreneur, this is, even more, special because of those who continuously work to amplify artists of color but are often overlooked. This award is for them,” Hickman added.
Past recipients of the Radio Milwaukee Music Ambassador award include Milwaukee Public Library’s “Library Loud Days,” Vic Thomas, Milwaukee World Festival, Jim Linneman, Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, and Kelsey Kaufman, Cactus Club.
About Catera
Kennita Hickman is the Chief Culture Curator for Catera. She is a brand influencer strategist, project manager, and event producer for creative entrepreneurs. She serves as a board member for #IVoted and Milwaukee Theatre Alliance. Prior to her work at Catera, she wrote for various music publications including Urbanology, Relevant, and The Source, and served as Director of Artist Support and Outreach for Imagine MKE, an arts non-profit. Learn more about Kennita and Catera’s work at https://www.instagram.com/cateramusic or https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennita-hickman
Miss Mocha Presents: “Black Vibeday” w/ DJ Freakish Nerd [ Post Event Recap]
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What a Room it was when thinking back to the faces seen at Company Brewing on Black Fri- I mean ‘Vibeday.’ DJ FreakishNerd kept our favorite musical artists, both mainstream and local of course, in a grand rotation as the space was overtaken by creatives, known and unknown, along with the ‘average joe’. This was very tactful of Miss Mocha; bringing the Artistic Community together as an indirect way of experiencing a bit of that Thanksgiving energy with our peers. Watching the room gradually fill up with so many way makers, innovators, and game changers is something to be thankful for. Now of course when that first hour or 2 goes by, we start feeling good, including the DJ, having had a few shoots himself, we all get to hittin’ that two-step, whether we're still hesitant and keeping near to our seats or are casually making our way to the main floor, but that was not the case for too long. Towards the night’s end, the spirit of Milwaukee’s golden age of fun and youth came out as a circle of models, rappers, CEO’S, dancers, musicians, and entrepreneurs alike were provoked to form a circle at the sight of two creatives engaging into a battle: I’m talkin’ bout hittin’ the stollie and bangin’ like its ‘09! ‘Aye, Aye! Huh, Huh!’ Everyone was shouting and cheering altogether. Personally, what I believe to be the highlight of a night like this.
/Naomi-Re’a for CW
Miss Mocha Music Presents: Black Vibeday
/DJ FreakishNerd will be providing Hip Hop, R&B, & Vibes in his debut solo DJ event. Expect a little bit of old, a little bit of new, and a little bit of music you’ve never heard before. Just the know the vibe will be major.
Friday November 26th, 10pm-1am, 21+
Company Brewing. $10.
735 East Center Street.
Milwaukee, WI
