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Three years ago I made the move from Washington, DC to New York City with the intent of being a part of the city’s arts and culture scene. I’m originally from Brooklyn, and thanks to my parents, grew up exploring the city’s museums, libraries and theaters. Perhaps it was just their way of keeping my constantly moving mind stimulated or my constantly moving mouth shut for a few hours, but no matter the impetus behind their commitment to exposing me to the arts, my love for it never left.As an adult, I’ve sought and found ways to stay engaged in and support the arts community. The creativity, ideas, and stories told through the hands, words, voices of artists remind me of our shared humanity and inspire me to see myself, our world and our work in new ways. Many people ask why I made the professional shift from politics to culture, and it’s because I feel one currently focuses on emphasizing and exploiting our differences, while the other attempts to highlight that we’re really all confused humans trying to figure this life thing out and make meaning from it together. I’ll let you decide which applies to what.Nonetheless, as I’ve entered this field as a professional and as a student (LOVING my current Arts & Social Justice course), I’ve noticed how the pervasive problems of our society continue to suck the joy out of my utopic vision of what the arts have been or rather, can be.The systemic challenges of authentic inclusion internally at cultural institutions and externally with engaging diverse audiences, or truly embracing a culture of constructive confrontation within this sector are reaching a fever pitch. Given the current socio-political environment, it shouldn’t be a surprise, but it is catching lots of folks off guard. For far too long, leaders within the arts and culture community have had the privilege of keeping their eyes on the hanging canvas and their focus on the final curtain call, rather than feeling the pressure of individuals and communities discontent with the state of the world — and that arts and culture are a part of it. Alas, that’s all over.It seems obvious to me, but just in case you haven’t noticed, information, news, fake news and memes are moving through society faster than you can blink. This means that at one wrong move or lack of thoughtful preparedness, any institution is bound to feel the wrath of Twitter; the latest target and culprit, the Brooklyn Museum.Now, I’m not here to argue the merits of the museum’s latest hires, but what I am concerned with is what appears to be the lack of cultural and environmental awareness as to what the optics would be to a rapidly-gentrifying community with whom the Brooklyn Museum has worked so hard to engage and build trust. Overall, it just wasn’t a good look — nor was this announcement well thought out.And this friends, is a classic case of living in the cultural-world bubble.Yes, the new curator of African Art has seemed to concentrate her work on changing the narrative on African Art and has earned her credentials far beyond most. But the problem internal staff seemingly overlooked is the very real frustrations people of color have within the Brooklyn community and with the arts and culture community in general — both that appear to be painted with and over in whiteness. This is a case of perception clashing with reality and vice versa.With all the criticisms and news, the Brooklyn Museum has yet to respond. They could release a statement standing behind their hiring decision and sharing the work they have done to offer and authentically engage the communities of Brooklyn, and their commitment to continue doing so. Instead, we are feeling a tone-deafening silence. Perhaps they are working on it, but the Twitterverse doesn’t know that — and therefore the story with their no-response keeps spreading. In 24-hours there has been a significant blow to the BK museum’s reputation with communities of color that will take more than a day to repair — as the issues this case study has brought to the art-world surface will take more than a day to address.I recently discussed the topics of diversity and inclusion within the cultural community on a panel at the ArtsReach marketing conference with a group of leaders far more qualified than me (scroll down to the Brown people section). For the most part, we warned our audience that without doing the very real internal and institutional work needed to confront their own biases and omissions, controversies like these would be quickly knocking on their front doors. I don’t think any of us thought the next one would be visiting Brooklyn.Nonetheless, this crisis — and it is a communications crisis — is just another example of what happens when internal cultures don’t allow for or fully conduct the boundary spanning necessary before going public. It also surfaces and reinforces the long-held belief that cultural spaces or those who curate cultural narratives are not for people of color, even if the narratives being curated are reflective of their stories.So how do we solve this? It certainly can start with a well thought out, culturally responsive and reviewed statement by the BK Museum. But on a more meaningful level, it truly begins with cultural institutions making the commitment to reflect on how and why things like this keep happening, and legit DO something about it. If they don’t, I can pretty much guarantee the very audible social media backlash and resulting reputational damage will continue; and what can be opportunities to become more reflective of the communities in which we live and the societal changes we’ll have to confront will only be hot-button crises, with the next bubbling underneath another poorly-executed decision in the staff decision-making chain.It also continues with a commitment from communities of color to doing more to include ourselves in these overwhelmingly white spaces — not only as consumers of the culture but as creators, curators, conversation starters and leaders in it. We have to speak up, show up and lend our social and economic support. We also have to learn what it takes to build and lead sustainable institutions. It is true that the majority of administrative and decision-making positions in any sector are not held by people of color, and that is blindingly true in cultural institutions. But we have to find and engage each other and build the networks among cultural workers of color that lend us the credence to also build relationships with the decision-makers of this sector. It ain’t easy, but we have to and will continue doing it (See here, here and here). These institutions are the keepers and presenters of our histories and our creativity. If we aren’t in them and helping to shape them, we have even more of an uphill battle to deconstructing the myths or partial-truths they can perpetuate.Just so we all don’t feel completely hopeless, here is a list of cultural leaders and institutions engaging communities of color you can support today:· Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture — I’m biased because I work here, but legit this place is amazing. Close to 100-years-old and home to millions of books, artifacts, art on the self-expression of Black folk worldwide, all free to access with your library card. We also have dope programming. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.· The Amistad Research Center — Another archive capturing the history of Black people worldwide, our nation’s ethnic and racial history, and the history of human relations. A gem in the heart of New Orleans.· Walker Communications Group — Donna Walker-Kuhne has been advocating for audience diversity in the arts for YEARS. Support her and the institutions who understand and take this work seriously by working with her.· The Laundromat Project — Community driven and engaging, these folks trust and elevate the brilliance of local artists and communities around them.· Jenkins Johnson Gallery — Black-owned, they just opened a new gallery in Brooklyn featuring artists of color.· Jack Shainman and Michael Rosenfeld Galleries — Really the only two mainstream galleries in NYC I know of that regularly champion and feature artists of color.Definitely missing everyone here, but this will get you started. I’ve got more on this on the way, and it's coming soon. So stay tuned by connecting with me on Twitter or shoot me an email at ak@theculturemove.com.We’re on...

A Brooklyn museum is bringing reality TV to real life through an exhibit on Tiffany Pollard, also known as "New York" from Flavor of Love. Pollard is getting her own exhibit at the Thnk 1994 museum. The exhibit “David’s Dead: A Celebration of Tiffany Pollard” will be open this summer from May 19- June 3. Pollard emerged as a reality TV star queen, after a breakout start on VH1's network. She went to have her own spinoff shows I Love New York, New York Goes To Work and New York Goes To Hollywood. She also starred in the Vh1.com web series, Brunch with Tiffany.And that's not all. Pollard also was featured on the shows Scared Famous and Big Brother UK. The exhibit takes its title from an episode on the last show that . According to VH1, Thnk 1994 explained: "While this will be a celebration of her entire oeuvre we will focus on her masterpiece, David’s Dead, which we believe is the pinnacle of reality television, roughly 7 minutes of pure unbridled chaos in the celebrity UK Big Brother house wherein David Bowie’s widow gets the news of his death and has to tell someone, she tells Tiffany who thinks she’s talking about David Gest (Liza Minnelli's “ex-husband”) who is also in the house and has been sick in bed. If you haven’t watched it, we’ll wait." On Instagram Pollard said that she was beyond flattered and thankful. "Truly beyond flattered and humbled. Can't wait to see this in Brooklyn. Thanks to all those involved," she wrote.🗣TRULY BEYOND FLATTERED AND HUMBLED....💐❤️🌸🙏🏾💕🌷🌺 Can't wait to see 👀 this in #brooklyn ‼️ LOVE ❤️ and THANKS to all those involved #hbic👑A post shared by Tiffany Pollard (@tiffany_hbic_pollard) on Mar 15, 2018 at 11:41am PDTHer fans are excited and so are we: I would definitely enjoy an exhibit dedicated to Tiffany “New York” Pollard— Bri (@_MadameBee) March 16, 2018Put this scene in Tiffany New York Pollard's exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum! 🙌🏿— 🥀 (@MJFinesseLover) March 16, 2018Tiffany "New York" Pollard is a legend in this reality TV game.— BLACKITY BLACK. (@yoangel) March 16,...

Hugh Barry, a New York City police sergeant, has been found not guilty on all charges in the death of Deborah Danner reports NBC. The veteran cop with more than eight years of experience was accused of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide of Danner. The 66-year-old was fatally shot in the chest two times in her Bronx apartment in 2016. He was acquitted of all charges, and a judge ruled that the prosecution didn't meet its burden of proof. “The prosecution’s evidence has failed to meet (its) burden of proof. The court finds the defendant not guilty,” said Supreme Court Judge Robert Neary.Barry could have faced 25 plus years in prison if convicted. Andrew Quinn, Barry's attorney said, "on a personal level he is obviously relieved that he is not looking at a prison sentence." He added that Barry was in an "impossible decision."After Quinn's statements on the verdict made its way to the internet, people on Twitter didn't hold back their discontentment: Good Lord!! If he didn't have his gun in his hands, he probably could have caught the bat mid swing! 66 year old woman and you are scared, you don't need to be a cop. NYPD sergeant acquitted in Deborah Danner's death https://t.co/xBVAh2x3JK— Tmoe (@texast221) February 15, 2018A white cop was acquitted for killing an elderly Black woman that was emotionally disturbed and that had a bat. However, someone that kills 17 other people wounds dozens more and terrorizes hundreds is taken into custody. You do the math.https://t.co/yT3f0q6xQj— Salim Adofo (@salimadofo) February 15, 2018 Danner suffered from a mental illness. On October 18, 2016, Barry responded to a 911 call when he found the victim in her apartment holding a pair of scissors. Barry allegedly tried to calm her down when she charged at him with a baseball bat. At the time of the shooting, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told NBC, "Deborah Danner should be alive right now, period. Something went horribly wrong here." However, Barry's supporters believe he deserves an apology from the mayor and police commissioner, who condemned Barry actions, according to NBC. As for Danner's family, they plan to continue the fight. Danner’s cousin Wallace Cooke Jr., a former NYPD officer, told the New York Daily News. "Police departments allow this to happen, to have this going on today is unacceptable,” one of Danner's friends said of the verdict. “It’s not a surprise at all, It’s virtually impossible to convict a police officer. It’s heartbreaking... I’m really sorry that (Deborah) met that untimely, tragic death.”The family now plans on filing a civil...

Looks like Quavo is in a bit of trouble. Last week, Eric The Jeweler accused the Migos member of assault and robbery, according to the Fader.The jeweler claims that Quavo attacked him on January 29 during a Grammy Awards afterparty located at 1Oak club in New York. Eric said he tried to get Quavo to pay the $10,000 the rapper owed him for jewelry, when Quavo and another person assaulted him and subsequently stole $30,000 worth of jewelry. According to TMZ, the NYPD contacted Quavo's attorney Drew Findling to inform  they have enough evidence to arrest the rapper. Findling responded by accusing officers of profiling his client. "This is yet another example of a young African American hip hop star potentially being treated unfairly by the criminal justice system," Findling said.Despite the TMZ report suggesting an arrest could be imminent, the NYPD told both the Fader and Complex that Quavo remains a free man.  "There are no arrests, no warrant for Marshall and the investigation is ongoing," the NYPD...

There are still high levels of educational inequality in our schools, and the "Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Our Schools" movement is working hard to change that. Beginning February 5 through February 9, educators around the nation will participate. While it shares some connection to the Black Lives Matter movement, the Black Lives Matter at School movement is separate and was started by a group of teachers, parents and administrators.The week of action's three central demands are: to end zero-tolerance discipline policies and implement restorative justice, to hire more black teachers and to mandate black history and ethnic studies be taught throughout the K-12 curriculum, per More Caucus NYC. The week also stresses 13 principles that include diversity, globalism and collective value.Support Black Lives Matter Week of Action )2/5-2/9). Support the movement. #BLM Lesson plans here —> https://t.co/Tg84dLDR6k pic.twitter.com/0q1ETHVUC8— Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) February 4, 2018Educators in Seattle and Philadelphia organized Black Lives Matter actions in their schools last year, and the movement has since reached cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles and Detroit, Social Equity Educators (SEE) reports. According to Fox 5, Washington D.C. and Maryland schools are among the latest to join.Maryland's Prince George's County school board unanimously passed the "Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools" resolution.“I don't believe it is political,” said Amanya Paige, the student member of the Prince George's County school board. “I believe it is a movement to encourage minorities and African-American students to be proud of who they are and to embrace who they are because we live it every day. I think that it is important to understand our culture and understand where we are coming from in order to be productive citizens.”During the week, educators will be wearing Black Lives Matter shirts and teaching movement-related material. There is also a website where educators can share stories and resources.Please check out The Black Lives Matter At Schools Curriculum resources : https://t.co/XcKCl5MOtw The committee headed up by Chris Rogers - @justmaybechris— Black Lives Matter At School (@BLMAtSchool) February 2, 2018Resources for educators: https://t.co/iInk4SCBuI #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool #BlackLivesMatter @BLMAtSchool— Education Votes (@edvotes) February 2, 2018It's great to see this amazing movement growing! If you desire to bring it to your city, visit its Facebook page for more...

Rapper Kendrick Lamar's latest album "Damn." has cemented its place in music history for its lyrics and its visuals. The poignancy of the album and the visuals have been recognized by the Grammys as an example of excellence from the year and by the Gordon Parks Foundation.The foundation opened a new exhibit in Pleasantville, New York on Friday, Dec. 1, that marries visuals from Kendrick's hit single "Element." and some of legendary filmmaker and photographer Gordon Parks' iconic photos. When the video dropped this past June, many caught on to the homage the video paid to Parks. “Gordon Parks’ work is continuing to have a great impact on young people – and particularly on artists, like Kendrick, who use the power of imagery to examine issues related to social justice and race in our country,” Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr., the Executive Director of The Gordon Parks Foundation, said in a press release on Friday.Parks' photographs that inspired Kendrick will be featured in the exhibit which is open to the public now and will close on Feb. 8,...

We reported that confederate flag sales increased after the Charlottesville rally, but if you think those sales are limited to the South (where the country the flag represents once was), we've got something to tell you!WNYC recently went scouting for Confederate States of America flag owners living in the North after receiving over 200 reports of flags proudly flying all over New York — from the East Village in Manhattan to Plattsburgh near the Canadian border.As you might expect for that number, WNYC found a lot of owners, and talked to several to unpack why exactly they fly the rebel flag.Some of the Confederate enthusiasts assured the station that they weren't "racist."One of these self-described "non-racist" people likened flying the rebel flag to flying "a Black Lives matter flag," which to them represents black people "pushing back on the white people." During the station's interview with one CSA flag-flying white couple, the couple waved over a black teenager, and asked him in front of the reporter if he thought the flag was racist.The teen said, "Yeah, it is offensive to me. This is the flag of people who want to bring slavery back," shocking the white couple.Another man who flies the rebel flag, a farmer named Tim, had another reason for his love of the CSA."It's kind of a sign of, we seceded once and maybe in New York state we should secede again," said Tim. "I think that New York state needs to break away from New York City. New York City has separate needs from here, it's a separate world, and upstate New York could be a very great place to live. Right now in the situation it is, we're talking about moving down South to a better tax state. And the North isn't for us anymore. And we kind of long to be down South."Another woman the station talked to, Judy, was upset by the fact that her son Tristan has hung a CSA flag up in his bedroom, stating that she didn't agree with it. She claimed he had "a wide variety of ethnic friends," but that he believed races shouldn't mix romantically. Judy said she isn't sure what to do about her son, admitting that she has been "left with more questions than answers.""If I had a friend who displayed the flag, I would not tolerate it at all. I would not be kind or compassionate. I wonder what this means about me. I ultimately feel helpless," she noted. "Can I change his ways of thinking? Can I handle that responsibility? Are occasional, brief conversations over coffee enough to inspire informed insight into his mind and heart?"New York had its fair share of CSA sympathizers during the war. Adam McGovern, a semiotics expert, believes it isn't history that has so many New Yorkers embracing the Stars and Bars."Rural America and non-urban America is kind of like a nationality now, it's a very different culture," McGovern said. "And I think the Confederate flag is a symbol of that other, economically-depressed, culturally-disfavored America."...

Living in New York City, it's very hard not to get overwhelmed with the lifestyle. It's even harder trying to work a full-time job, live on your own, and maintain a decent social life. Everywhere and every day there is something to do, and even with as many "free" and "cheap" events as there are, things can get pricey. You get into a free event but spend $10-12 dollars per drink. You get into a free event WITH free refreshments but its first come, first served and you're not guaranteed a good time. Getting all options is damn near impossible - unless its an annual summer barbecue you know for sure will come in handy. But summer doesn't last forever, and neither do the high number of free events. As it gets colder, so do your pockets.                                                                                      Photo: MemeCenterI've been living in New York for twelve years and whenever someone visits or moves here, I try my best to pull them away from the shiny tourist life. Don't get me wrong, I love New York and the things that come with it (well, most of them). But living here and visiting here are two completely different things and it's pretty easy to get distracted from your main focus. Unless you have no kids, no spouse, no car, no care for sleep, and a job paying you 50-70k a year, it's nearly impossible to work full time, go out everyday after work, explore the city and all the events on weekends and holidays, travel 2-3 times a year, and still live below your means. What a lot of people also don't understand, is the more money you make, the more responsibilities you have. Not to say that you will never make enough to be comfortable, but let's be honest here: You MAKE more = You PAY more.                                                                                            Photo: PinterestNow, I don't fall into most of the categories listed above, but I still do have responsibilities and bills that make it challenging to have a perfect sleep, socializing, working, and dreaming schedule. Though not impossible, it takes dedication, time and sacrifices to achieve that status. Some days you have to sacrifice spending money and socializing to work on your goals and dreams. Some days you have to sacrifice sleep to push yourself to work harder. Other days, you have to learn to sacrifice work to get rest - nothing good comes from being overworked all the time. While some days you have to put things aside to make time for others in your life. Sometimes you even have to debate between being happy with your dream job or being happy with a higher salary. A part of these sacrifices includes working and living on a budget until you can live well below your means. One major sacrifice I've made while living here is not traveling as much as I would want to. Though I haven't perfected budgeting and can definitely improve some, I've picked up a lot of tips while working that help both short and long term whether you have a part-time or full-time job.These tips will help whether you live alone and survive check to check, if you're just starting out, or if you've got it a little more figured out.1.  Keep track of your weekly/biweekly hours and pay (whether you’re PT or FT).2. Estimate how much you will get paid every pay cycle.3. Keep a budget notebook that lists all of your important monthly expenses (rent, bills, transportation, groceries, etc).4. Include the total for each upcoming bill.5. Before each paycheck, subtract all the important expenses from your estimated total.                                                                                Photo: Moneyunder30.com  6. After you have accounted for all the bills, take away a percentage for savings and “extracurricular expenditures”. This will include going out, any extra items you need for a specific occasion, for work, or just to hold you over until your next payday.7. Be consistent with how much you save, even if it’s as little as $5/$10 per check.8. With the remainder, if any, either add it to your savings, keep it as “buffer money” or put it towards a dream. Whether that be a car fund, a travel fund, college fund, moving fund – something you can work towards."Buffer money" is definitely something important when budgeting as something unexpected is always bound to pop up. Living in New York, that's a high possibility with last minute needs, last minute challenges, last minute visits, last minute finds, and last minute events. It may be the "Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of" but it can be a long road to get there if you aren't thinking smart. For all those new to the city, even though it will take some getting used to, definitely enjoy all the perks (there's A LOT). And for the experts, New York can certainly be livable and enjoyable at the same time - even if it takes time and money management.P.S. Y’all better not be out here going broke trying to impress people. If that’s the case, pack up your things and come impress...

Of course Kara Walker is tired. For two decades, Walker has been creating art that screams. Art that screams at the predominantly white art world, art that screams at the liberals that consider themselves woke and beyond race and art that screams at America, challenging it to confront its ugly and distorted history. Of course Walker is tired, she has been screaming for 20 years and no one is listening because nothing has changed.In the artist statement for her newest show at Sikkema Jenkins & Co. she says the following: “I know what you all expect from me and I have complied up to a point. But frankly, I am tired.” She goes on to mention the growing racial tensions of America fueled by “random groups of white (male) supremacist goons who flaunt a kind of patched together notion of race purity with flags and torches and impressive displays of perpetrator-as-victim sociopathy” (Walker, 2017), and how her very existence as a “(proudly) raced and (urgently) gendered person” (Walker, 2017) is under threat. Read the entire statement here.We get it. I get it. Walker has been working in a predominately (an understatement) white industry, that caters to a predominately white audience. She is tired of being their poster child for black art. I get it. I've started my career as an artist, attending a predominately (again, an understatement) white MFA program, and I am already tired. Coupled with the intense political atmosphere, I find myself unable and unwilling to make art for that community; it’s emotionally exhausting and I do not want to be "their black." The art I make deals with the rawness, vulnerability and pain that comes from being black in America. I do not want to share that or explain it to a white audience. I suspect that this is exactly what Walker has been doing for the past 20 years and she’s exhausted; she is emotionally spent.To Walker, I say: come home Kara and rest...

Colin Kaepernick has certainly cemented himself in pop culture -- and arguably, political -- history and that was apparent the moment he decided to #TakeAKnee in protest against police brutality.Kaepernick's 49ers jersey became an iconic image and was a top seller for reasons far beyond his football skills. Now, New York's Museum of Modern Art is honoring Kaepernick. According to Quartz, Kaepernick's former jersey is on display as part of the museum's "Items: Is Fashion Modern" exhibit. Art literally imitating life! The exhibit is to highlight items that "represent stereotypes of different garments and ideas in fashion." Kaepernick's jersey, in particular, is amongst the sports fashion influence and is joining other legendary jerseys such as those worn by NBA's Michael Jordan and Brazilian soccer legend Pelé. “When the whole Kaepernick thing happened last year, it was noted by the NFL that his jersey was outpacing the sales of [New England Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady’s jersey,” explained museum research assistant Stephanie Kramer, who serves as the exhibit curatorial team's fashion expert. “To us, that seemed to us to indicate a sea change in what the jersey represents for people. Not necessarily your hero, good-looking quarterback, but perhaps somebody who was using his sports prowess and celebrity to say something socially and politically. We thought that made a really important statement about what the sports jersey could mean to its wearer.”"Items: Is Fashion Modern" will open October 1 and will be showcased at MoMA on the sixth floor through...