This month, we're seeing a fantastic mix of full-time jobs in New York City, crucial grant funding for experimental artists, and a chance for photographers to be featured in a new print magazine.
Read More
🏠Shades of Discourse | July 31 at no. 9 NYC
in Community
Join us for an evening of dialogue, memory, and imagination as we explore home as a feeling, a myth, and a site of transformation. Through an interactive mixer, a community discussion, and a showcase of Black artists, we’ll reflect on the memories we carry, the myths we’ve inherited, and the futures we’re dreaming into being.
Read More
New Opportunities This Summer: June 2025 CLP Opportunity Hubs
Explore the latest opportunities from the CLP Opportunity Hub, including artist grants from the Brooklyn Arts Council and The Kitchen curatorial fellowship. Embrace the fresh energy of May and advance your creative journey with our curated selection of residencies, grants, jobs, and fellowships.
Read Morea serenity project: a father becoming
Join us for a virtual circle of breathwork, affirmations, and authentic conversation for Black fathers. Healing starts here.
Read More
This Year, the Met Gala Was Black — and It Mattered
in Culture
On May 5, 2025, the Met Gala became a powerful tribute to Black fashion, culture, and identity. With the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and dress code “Tailored for You,” the event celebrated the legacy and evolution of Black dandyism — a style rooted in resistance, self-expression, and artistry.
⸻
Exhibition: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style
Curated by Andrew Bolton and inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion, the exhibition traced over three centuries of Black style. From the 18th-century Atlantic world to the Harlem Renaissance, it highlighted how Black communities used fashion to challenge norms and assert identity through elegance and detail.
⸻
Honoring André Leon Talley
The late André Leon Talley, a towering figure in fashion and a symbol of Black dandyism, was honored with tributes and garments from his personal collection. His bold style and presence echoed throughout the night.
⸻
Red Carpet Highlights
The blue carpet was alive with style, with Celebrities embracing the theme with looks that honored the past while pushing fashion forward.
Rihanna arrived in custom Marc Jacobs, framing her third pregnancy with grace and strength. Diana Ross returned after two decades, draped in an Ugo Mozie gown with an 18-foot train embroidered with her family’s names — a regal, personal statement.
Zendaya redefined dandyism in a Louis Vuitton three-piece suit and wide-brimmed hat, blending rebellion and elegance. Teyana Taylor wore a sculptural design by Ruth E. Carter, rich with cultural symbolism. Janelle Monáe, ever imaginative, floated down the carpet in Thom Browne — complete with a working clock monocle.
The night was full of moments like these.
Who stood out to you on the Met Gala carpet? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Further Reading on Black Dandyism
To delve deeper into the rich history and cultural significance of Black dandyism, consider exploring:
• Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style by Shantrelle P. Lewis
• Slaves to Fashion by Monica L. Miller
A Night of Musical Brilliance: Anticipating Jessie Montgomery and the New York Philharmonic
in Culture, Community, Programming
When music tells a story, it transcends time, space, and expectation. And from April 9-11, the New York Philharmonic, in collaboration with the inimitable Jessie Montgomery, is set to deliver an unforgettable night of sound, spirit, and storytelling.
A Composer of Our Time
Jessie Montgomery is more than a composer; she is a force. A Grammy Award-winning composer, violinist, and educator, Montgomery is known for her deeply expressive compositions that blend classical traditions with modern narratives. Her works pulse with the energy of African American spirituals, folk traditions, and the rhythmic vitality of jazz, making her one of the most distinctive and communicative voices in American music today. BBC has described her as “one of the most distinctive and communicative voices in the US, as a player and a creator.”
The World Premiere of CHEMILUMINESCENCE
The highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of Montgomery’s latest composition, CHEMILUMINESCENCE, written for Project 19—the New York Philharmonic’s all-women commissioning initiative. The piece takes inspiration from the natural phenomenon where light is produced through a chemical reaction, rather than a traditional light source. Montgomery describes her creative process, saying:
“As a composer, interpreting light sources and their resulting reflections and hues is an endless field of potential sound exploration. I used my impressions on this idea to create harmonies, colors, and blends I feel are unique to the string orchestra with its ability to bend and shift timbres in an instant.”
A Stellar Program
Beyond CHEMILUMINESCENCE, the evening’s program will feature two classical masterpieces:
• Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, performed by the dynamic and adventurous violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja.
• Brahms’s Symphony No. 1, a powerful and timeless work that showcases the depth and grandeur of the orchestral repertoire.
With this remarkable lineup, the concert will seamlessly blend innovation and tradition, offering an experience that honors the past while embracing the future.
A Moment You Won’t Want to Miss
As anticipation builds for this remarkable event, one thing is clear: Jessie Montgomery’s work is not just meant to be heard—it’s meant to be felt. Her ability to channel history, identity, and innovation into sound is a gift, and this upcoming performance is sure to be one for the books.
Tickets are selling fast—Enjoy 30% off with code MONTGOMERY30 at checkout. Don’t miss your chance to witness this unforgettable night of music. Secure yours now and be part of this extraordinary experience!