Melissa Mitchell

Abeille Creations Designer and Artist

You create stunning, profoundly moving pieces filled with color and energy. What inspires you? What do you hope to impart to the viewer or wearer?

Your bio mentions that you’re known as the “Kaleidoscope of Hope.” What changes are you hoping to see in the world?

Who are some artists in the black community who have influenced you?

Quiana Parler for Ranky Tanky

Grammy Award-winning Musicians and Gullah Ambassadors

What was the best part of winning a Grammy Award?

You’ve introduced a vast number of people across the world to the Gullah culture. How does it feel to educate so many on this topic?

What are some ways you’d like to see people engaging with Gullah culture moving forward?

Stephanie Summerson Hall

Estelle Colored Glass

Estelle, lovingly known as Big Mama, has been an influential part of your story and your work. What’s one life lesson she imparted that you carry with you today?

The world is listening to black stories in a new way. What would you like to share from your own story as a black business owner and entrepreneur?

What are three other black-owned businesses you’d like to lift up and encourage others to support?

Daniella Motley

Salt + Stem Wandering Flower Truck

You create beautiful, whimsical bundles of flowers for your “wandering flower truck.” What inspired this journey?

This has been a hard year, and you’ve said that you consider flowers to be a form of self-care (we totally agree!). What has been the most rewarding moment of sharing your work with others over the last year?

You’ve said that you started Salt + Stem to bring “a little piece of happiness” to the community, and you’ve done just that. What would you like to see from your community in return as we move forward?

Terrance Elmore

Poet, Blogger, and Author, The Essence of Love

You’re a poet, author, writer, and blogger. How did you find your voice? What are you working on next?

You work with themes of love regularly. How do you hope to see people leaning into love as we move forward during an unpredictable, challenging year?

You have a powerful way with words and a remarkable voice. What advice do you have for us on listening?

Arianne King Comer

Indigo Dyer, Textile and Installation Artist, Storyteller

You do exceptional, powerful work with indigo and batik. What called you to this art form? What keeps you coming back to it?

A lot of your career has involved teaching. What do you hope to impart to the next generation, and what have you learned from your journey in teaching?

Your work speaks about Gullah culture and social justice. Why is artistic expression more important now than ever?

Quintin Middleton

Bladesmith and Owner of Middleton Made Knives

Master knife smith Quintin Middleton began learning how to make his own blades under the tutelage of experts Jason Knight and Adam Desrosiers at the tender age of 17. Though he began his apprenticeship as a teen, creating knives has been a lifelong dream, inspired by watching Conan the Barbarian as a young child.

Today, Quintin is the bladesmith behind Middleton Made Knives, and his work was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal.

Each of one of Middleton Made Knives is a unique work of art, and Quintin’s pieces can be found in the hands of celebrity chefs such Emeril Lagasse, Edouardo Jordan, JJ Johnson, Robert Irvin, Roblé Ali, Sean Brock, Todd Richards, and Duane Nutter.

You had to fight to make your dream come true. What obstacles did you face getting started?

What advice do you have for other people of color chasing a dream in today’s world?

What other black artisans and businesses do you support?

We hope you engage with, support, and continue to learn from each of these artists, and we also want to highlight the following upcoming events:

Charleston Poet Laureate Marcus Amaker is hosting a poetry reading on Instagram live on June 19, 2020, at 4:44 pm.

As the City of Charleston moves to remove the statue of John C. Calhoun, announced yesterday, the mayor has also asked Marcus Amaker to prepare a new poem.

Ranky Tanky will also be taking the stage tomorrow, June 19, with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in a Livestream event beginning at 7:30 pm. The name of this concert is Call and Response: A Concert for Equality.

We will be actively listening and responding to these calls within our community.

Come join us.

One Love & Blessings, 

The Grit & Grace Family