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- Angela: So Mike, thank you so much
for joining us today.
- Of course, thanks for having me.
- I have to say thank you for the artistic additions
to our Why Race Matters season two set.
It's definitely a visual upgrade for us, so thank you.
- Thank you, thank you.
It was a pleasure to make.
- So what got you into the art world?
- Well, I've always been an artist.
I moved to Madison in 2011, I believe.
And I took it seriously in 2013
in response to some police brutality issues
in Madison, and ever since then,
I've just been walking in my strength, creating every day.
- Wow, so for you, it was a way of like, expressing yourself
in response to what was going on around you?
- Yeah, initially, it was just about getting that frustration
and anger out, and now it's to inspire people like me
to get their voices out as well.
- Oh, wow.
So it's not, essentially it's not just about you
or doesn't just end with you.
It's a mode of inspiration for others.
- It's definitely not about me.
It is... I'm walking fully in my power
to inspire others to get out there and make changes,
to voice their opinions, to hear themselves in the street.
- Mm, okay.
And you said you've been in Wisconsin
for about a decade or so as of this point.
So what is the significance of the art you do
and the source of the art that you do
within this particular state?
- I think being creative in Wisconsin
has helped me to find my voice.
There's not many people like me being represented
on the creative side.
So it's, I believe, up to me and like creatives
to just get out there and do.
- So are you seeing that, especially in response to
y'know, media stories of racial injustice and things like that?
Are you seeing more people like you who have this gift?
'Cause I would love to be able to do something like this.
I cannot.
But for those who actually have artistic skills,
like articulating and expressing themselves more in that way?
- Yeah, I saw a big turning point in 2020
in response to George Floyd.
That was when it kinda snapped.
So now I'm seeing more people like me being represented
all over. - Wow.
That's amazing. - It is.
So definitely the importance and value of Black art,
it sounds like in general, but also in a setting like here,
where representation might be more significant.
- Yeah, exactly, correct. - Okay, beautiful.
And I get to this kind of juxtaposition
of there's maybe pain at the source
or embedded within the source of the art,
but also joy attached to it as well.
So can you kind of, for people who don't understand
that both can coexist, especially in art,
what that means?
- Yeah, both pain and joy can exist with the artwork.
So all of my art is an expression of that joy
and that celebration of not only being a Black creative,
but just being a creative human.
And, yeah. [chuckles] - Okay.
Is there like a singular or a couple sources of inspiration
that you draw from in the art community?
- Honestly, the creation is to keep this movement going.
That is it.
I just want to just continuously inspire every day.
- Okay, okay, wonderful.
And so what does that look like for you
when you like, encounter people who, I don't know,
are maybe struggling with artistic expression
and maybe need a source of motivation?
Like what is that?
What might you draw from to encourage them in that way?
- Let's see; honestly, being yourself
is the only advice I can give. - Mm-hmm.
- Because we all have our individual perspectives
on life and Earth, and it's important to share yours,
because there's no one like you. - Right.
So regardless to what you're contributing,
it is special and unique in its own right.
Because like you said,
no one else can do exactly what you're doing.
- Yeah, no one can see what you see,
no one can create what you create.
Just get out there and do, for sure.
- Do you have any like, future plans
or any big ideas about your art that you're looking forward
to realizing in the future?
- No future plans.
I just live day by day, and here I am.
[both laughing] - I would love to be like you.
I feel like my analytical mind won't let me do it.
Like, 5-year plan, 10-year plan, I'm just gonna keep at it.
Maybe that reduces anxiety too, to just kind of be.
- Yeah, yeah.
Something that contributes to this freedom is investing.
So I taught myself how to invest in order to create
as much as I can. - Mm-hmm, wonderful.
So you mean like, financially investing?
- Financially, correct. - Oh, very nice.
So that helps you to sustain your livelihood as an artist?
- Yeah, well, when I began, I took this business seriously,
and so just like any other business, you have to invest.
And so I taught myself how to do that,
and now I have the ability to create on my schedule
and design things that I think fit projects like this.
- I love that.
I love that you're focused on both the creative side
of the art world, but as well as the business side,
so you're not the stereotypical starving artist in that way.
- Definitely, yeah.
- We can have an offline conversation
about your investing approach and what's worked well for you.
- Yeah, I hope not only do I inspire creatively,
but financially as well.
To be financially literate. - Love that.
And I can't negate the shoes that you're wearing,
because I'm in a family of sneakerheads.
So if you want to direct our attention to like,
to the uniqueness of the shoes
and any background you want to give to that.
- Sure.
These are Jordan, designed by Virgil Abloh from UW-Madison.
Rest in peace.
This is me just paying some respect
to someone that paved the way. - Wow.
That's amazing; so more Black art
in the flesh. - Definitely.
- Is there anything as a close that you'd like to share
with anyone who's hearing your story, seeing your art,
being inspired, but maybe, I don't know,
maybe not feeling as free or feeling stuck in some ways?
Like, what would you tell them to encourage them?
- Just start. - Just start?
- That's all I can say, is just start.
It's better to start today than to put off and hesitate.
- Awesome, thank you so much, Michael.
- Thank you.