Quotes and Black Art

Your Curated Art Museum

“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”

“Sometimes we love the people we should hate, and we hate the people we love, and we’re topsy-turvy, but it’s like the song my dad likes to put on the record player when he’s had a little too much to drink: ‘It’s a thin line between love and hate.’”

— Christina Hammonds Reed, The Black Kids, 2020

A Snippet:

Did you know that shortly after publishing The Black Kids, Christina Hammonds Reed wrote in an article for Elle magazine, “I am lucky in many ways. Amid so many nightmares, a dream of mine is coming true: I wrote a book and it’s getting published. All my parents’ sacrifices are coming to fruition.”

Learn more . . .

Quotes and Black Art

Thursday, July 16, 2026 (week 29)

Take care and be safe.

208. “Dance Composition No. 35” (1978) by Eldzier Cortor

Richmond, Virginia-born and Chicago, Illinois-raised painter and master printmaker Eldzier Cortor (1916 - 2015)—best known for his celebratory depictions of African-American women—on trying to get people to pause a while:

“The idea is to get someone to try and pause a while. Try to just get them to stay with that painting . . . don't just burst past it. That's the idea.”

- Eldzier Cortor

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209. “Golden” by Dr. Nettrice Gaskins

Baltimore, Maryland-born digital artist, educator, cultural critic and advocae of STEAM fields Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins (b. 1970)—best known for using AI-generated images to create stunning portraits of famous and historical Black figures—on embracing “techno-vernacular creativity”:

“Machine learning seems futuristic but, strange to say, it helps artists like me to rediscover humanity.”

- Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins

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210. “Philis III” (2023) by Oliver Okolo

Suleja, Nigeria-born contemporary artist Oliver Okolo (b. 1992)—working primarily in oil on canvas and using charcoal and paint to capture the subjects of his striking portraits—on artistic expression:

“Art is the only way I know how to speak and air my opinion.”

- Oliver Okolo

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The Silver Lining?

On this day in history, July 16, 1945, at 5:29:45am, the Manhattan Project successfully tested the first atomic bomb in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Let's pause a while and take a moment of silence for all the lives lost to war and its consequences.

Cancer Birthdays!

(June 21 - July 22)

• July 15 - Forest Whitaker

• July 15 - Eddie Griffin

• July 15 - Ernie Barnes

• July 15 - Stokley Williams

• July 15 - Jim Jones

• July 16 - Assata Shakur (today!)

• July 17 - Diahann Carroll

• July 18 - Nelson Mandela

(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)

Pause a while

Quotes and Black Art - A Newsletter

Next issue is next Thursday:

• 11am (Pacific), 2pm (Eastern)

Want more?

• Follow on Instagram or on Threads (at Quotes and Black Art)

Quotes and Black Art.

Made by Jafari.

Silicon Valley’s most creative MBA.

2026 My STEM Grew Petals Publishing. A free-for-all.

Quotes and Black Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber.

Quotes and Black Art

Your Curated Art Museum

“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”

“And fantasy it was, for we were not strong, only aggressive, we were not free, merely licensed; we were not compassionate, we were polite; not good, but well behaved. We courted death in order to call ourselves brave, and hid like thieves from life.” 

— Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, 1970

A Snippet:

Did you know that Toni Morrison, born and raised in Ohio, was a Black Catholic and that her pen name “Toni” wasn’t her birth name (it was Chloe)?

Learn more . . .

Quotes and Black Art

Thursday, July 9, 2026 (week 28)

The dog days of summer.

97. “Portrait of Mnonja” (2010) by Mickalene Thomas

New York-based artist Mickalene Thomas (b. 1971)—best known for her elaborate paintings composed of rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel—on living life unapologetically:

“She is owning and claiming her space, which is very exciting.”

- Mickalene Thomas

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98. “The Contribution of the Negro to Democracy in America” (1943) by Charles White

Chicago, Illinois, artist Charles White (1918 - 1979)—who utilized his skills as a draftsman, printmaker, and painter, in order to create powerful images of African Americans, which White described as “images of dignity”—on his composition that includes a long list of American history titans, such as: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, Marian Anderson, Crispus Attucks, Denmark Vesey, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and Paul Robeson:

“I started with the American Revolution, depicting Crispus Attucks as the first man to die in the Revolution, came on through using individuals like Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, George Carver, Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, and Marian Anderson. The object was to take the contributions both through physical revolt of fighting for the abolition of slavery, and also the contributions that had been made in the sciences as well as the arts, as well as politics.”

- Charles White

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99. “Aunt Eira Mae” (1998) by Larry D. Alexander

Dermott, Arkansas-born Larry D. Alexander (b. 1953)—an artist, Christian author, and catechist, best known for his elaborate, colorful, and black & white (“pen and ink”) drawings—on inspiration and speaking things into existence:

“I was with a group of kids and we said that if there was ever a president from Arkansas, we’d do a portrait of him. It was just a joke at the time, and years later, I had forgotten about it. But one day, when Clinton was doing well in the presidential race and it looked like he was going to win, the memory just popped back in my mind. It was eerie, but inspirations are like that.”

- Larry D. Alexander

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The Silver Lining?

You claim physical space by using body language. You claim emotional space by setting boundaries. But you're triflin' when you, "Wander from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which you ought not."

Cancer Birthdays!

(June 21 - July 22)

• July 5 - Shohei Ohtani

• July 6 - Kevin Hart

• July 6 - 50 Cent

• July 6 - Frida Kahlo

• July 7 - Leesa Cross-Smith

• July 8 - Jaden Smith

• July 9 - Richard Roundtree (today!)

• July 10 - Marcel Proust

• July 11 - Lil Kim

(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)

Triflin’ - taking up space

Quotes and Black Art - A Newsletter

Next issue is next Thursday:

• 11am (Pacific), 2pm (Eastern)

Want more?

• Follow on Instagram or on Threads (at Quotes and Black Art)

Quotes and Black Art.

Made by Jafari.

Silicon Valley’s most creative MBA.

2026 My STEM Grew Petals Publishing. A free-for-all.

Quotes and Black Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber.

Quotes and Black Art

Your Curated Art Museum

“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”

“See that you don’t forget it . . . Times ain’t always gonna be like this, and when the breaks come you gotta be prepared to take them.”

— Louise Meriwether, Daddy Was A Number Runner, 1970

A Snippet:

Did you know that Louise Meriwether (1923 - 2023) lived to be a centenarian and that her 1970 debut novel, Daddy Was A Number Runner, contains a praise-worthy foreword by author James Baldwin?

Learn more . . .

Quotes and Black Art

Thursday, July 2, 2026 (week 27)

Enjoy your 4th, your cookout, and stay safe and healthy!

121. “Outside Looking In, Mobile Alabama” (1956) by Gordon Parks

Fort Scott, Kansas, photographer Gordon Parks (1912 - 2006)—known as one of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century, as well as a humanitarian with a deep commitment to social justice—on finding your purpose:

“I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera.”

- Gordon Parks

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122. “The Sun Seeker” (2022) by Siphesihle Ntsungwana

South African, Durban-based artist Siphesihle Ntsungwana (b. 1998)—known for offering a fresh perspective on popular culture as it relates to South African youth—also on finding purpose:

“I think the best way to find your purpose is by getting closer to God and understanding yourself, understanding your gifts, your talents. Whatever God has given you, you need to look at it as a superpower.”

- Siphesihle Ntsungwana

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123. “The Collector” (2013) by Edwin Lester

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, artist Edwin Lester—a self-taught artist who brings sophistication, technical skill, and a sense of realism to his figurative paintings—on how our relationship to work transforms when we discover our purpose:

“I just love what I do, and when I walk out into the world each day, there is so much to see, so much to paint.”

- Edwin Lester

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The Silver Lining?

Did you know that Farah Jasmine Griffin took to heart the phrase ‘read until you understand,’ a line her father, who died when she was nine, wrote in a note to her, leaving her a stack of books filled with Black stories?

In fact, Dr. Griffin made it central to her own book, Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature, about “love of the majestic power of words and love of the magnificence of Black life."

Cancer Birthdays!

(June 21 - July 22)

• June 29 - Kwame Ture

• June 29 - Charly Palmer

• June 30 - Mike Tyson

• June 30 - Fantasia

• July 1 - Missy Elliott

• July 2 - Patrice Lumumba (today!)

• July 3 - Franz Kafka

• July 4 - Malia Obama

• July 4 - Bill Withers

(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)

Read until you understand

Quotes and Black Art - A Newsletter

Next issue is next Thursday:

• 11am (Pacific), 2pm (Eastern)

Want more?

• Follow on Instagram or on Threads (at Quotes and Black Art)

Quotes and Black Art.

Made by Jafari.

Silicon Valley’s most creative MBA.

2026 My STEM Grew Petals Publishing. A free-for-all.

Quotes and Black Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber.

Quotes and Black Art

Your Curated Art Museum

“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”

“‘Don’t you think, Hester,’ broke in her husband, ‘that mebbe there’s some truth in what Freddie says? Don’t you think the Lord kind o’ whispers what He wants people to do in their own ears? Mebbe it was n’t never intended fur Freddie to be a preacher: there’s other ways o’ doin’ good besides a-talkin’ from the pulpit.’”

— Paul Laurence Dunbar, The Uncalled, 1898

A Snippet:

Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar was somewhat of a business maverick for his time, self-publishing and raising capital (with United Brethren Publishing in Dayton, Ohio) in order to print his first book, Oak and Ivy, for $125 in 1893—worth about $4,500 today?

Learn more . . .

Quotes and Black Art

Thursday, June 25, 2026 (week 26)

We’re half-way through 2026! Keep shinning ☀️

22. “On The Porch” by Shakquan McAllister

Guyanese American artist Shakquan McAllister—who has described his work as, “Intending to serve as a reflection to its viewer”—on allowing viewers to see themselves (in addition to the art):

“When viewers see my art, I intend for it to evoke a certain familiarity, audaciousness, but most of all I want them to feel seen.”

- Shakquan McAllister

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23. “Galactic Morena (Roja)” by Yermine Richardson

Dominican Republic artist Yermine Richardson—whose art is deeply rooted in the traditional semiotics of Caribbean heritage (e.g., womanhood, fashion, spiritualism, and cosmology)—on finding light in darkness:

“When I was young there was no electricity at night where I grew up, so I used to watch the stars, play in darkness. Because of this I am acutely sensitive and attracted to bright colours. I remember my mom wearing a lot of sparkling clothes when going out to dance. These works are a celebration of people finding light even in darkness.”

- Yermine Richardson

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24. “I Am A Man A Man I Am” (2015) by Dr. Lisa Whittington

Harlem, New York, born artist Dr. Lisa Whittington—who believes that teaching art is just as important as the process of making art—on dispelling myths:

“Historically, Black people and women were considered not ‘smart enough’ to create fine art.”

- Dr. Lisa Whittington

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The Silver Lining?

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness."

— Desmond Tutu

Cancer Birthdays!

(June 21st - July 22nd)

• June 22 - Octavia Butler

• June 22 - Donald Faison

• June 23 - Randy Jackson

• June 24 - Lionel Messi

• June 24 - Solange Knowles

• June 25 - LaLa Anthony

• June 25 - Jimmie Walker

• June 26 - Ariana Grande

• June 27 - Paul Laurence Dunbar

(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)

Play in darkness

Quotes and Black Art - A Newsletter

Next issue is next Thursday:

• 11am (Pacific), 2pm (Eastern)

Want more?

• Follow on Instagram or on Threads (at Quotes and Black Art)

Quotes and Black Art.

Made by Jafari.

Silicon Valley’s most creative MBA.

2026 My STEM Grew Petals Publishing. A free-for-all.

Quotes and Black Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber.

Quotes and Black Art

Your Curated Art Museum

“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”

“The funny part of it was she was willing to trust them and their motives without questioning, but the instant they saw the color of her skin they knew what she must be.”

— Ann Petry, The Street, 1946

A Snippet:

Did you know that despite being the first African-American woman to sell over one million copies of her first novel, The Street (published in 1946), Ann Petry, the classic novelist herself, remains relatively unknown to the greater public?

Learn more . . .

Quotes and Black Art

Thursday, June 18, 2026 (week 25)

Food For Thought: The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude) wasn’t ratified until December 6, 1865

61. “Revival Meeting” (1994) by Benny Andrews

Born in Plainview, Georgia, artist, educator, and activist Benny Andrews (1930 - 2006)—who taught at Queens College for nearly thirty years and, from 1982 through 1984, served as the director of the Visual Arts program for the National Endowment for the Arts—on defining success as an creative:

“If I get a little publicity or make a sale or two, that is not really necessarily a plus in terms of what I visualize as my aim in becoming an artist, in becoming what you would call a successful artist. I'm trying to find a way to involve more people from the community, and to involve myself more in the community.”

- Benny Andrews

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62. “In Our Solitude” by John Holyfield

Clarksburg, West Virginia, artist John Holyfield (b. 1969)—one of the most collected Black artists in the nation—on having an artistic mission:

“My mission as an artist is to capture, visually, all of the positive and beautiful aspects of being African-American. This artistic talent is ‘my voice’ . . . I feel compelled to say something.”

- John Holyfield

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63. “Survivor” (1983) by Elizabeth Catlett

Washington, D.C. born and raised artist and sculptor Elizabeth Catlett (1915 - 2012)—the first woman and first African-American to receive a MFA degree in sculpture at the University of Iowa—on celebrating one’s dual heritage:

“I am inspired by Black people and Mexican people, my two peoples.”

- Elizabeth Catlett

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The Silver Lining?

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'"

— C.S. Lewis

Gemini Birthdays!

(May 21st - June 20th)

• June 13 - Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (twins! 👯‍♀️)

• June 14 - Gunna

• June 14 - Faizon Love

• June 15 - Erroll Garner (Jazz pianist)

• June 15 - North West

• June 15 - Ice Cube

• June 16 - Tupac Shakur

• June 16 - Geronimo

• June 17 - James Weldon Johnson (Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing)

• June 17 - Kendrick Lamar

• June 17 - Venus Williams

• June 18 - Lou Brock & Paul McCartney (today!)

• June 19 - Zoe Saldaña

• June 20 - Lionel Richie

• June 20 - E. Lynn Harris

(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)

Found my peoples

Quotes and Black Art - A Newsletter

Next issue is next Thursday:

• 11am (Pacific), 2pm (Eastern)

Want more?

• Follow on Instagram or on Threads (at Quotes and Black Art)

Quotes and Black Art.

Made by Jafari.

Silicon Valley’s most creative MBA.

2026 My STEM Grew Petals Publishing. A free-for-all.

Quotes and Black Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free subscriber.

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