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Talented Black Artists in WNY You Need to Know About

Art, City Guide, Culture & Arts

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Written by Nora Hassan

Published on June 1, 2021
John “Spider” Martin x Edreys Wajed // Photo courtesy of Edreys Wajed

BLACK LIVES MATTER. We at Step Out Buffalo realize we have a platform and we want to use it. Our company was founded on the basis of promoting and uplifting our community and the businesses within it. After much introspection, reading, researching, and discussion we realize we can be a resource, ally, and catalyst for change in our community.

One of the things we love most about our beloved city of Buffalo is its diverse art, history, and culture. In an effort to continue to shine a light on all of these things, below is a list of talented black artists in WNY which we found after artist Chuck Tingley shared them on his Instagram story. From artists to musicians to poets – WNY has it all. Check them out!

This list is in no way complete. We request that you share your favorite black artists with us so we can add them to this guide and continue to share with our audience. To add an artist to this list email editorial@stepoutbuffalo.com.

PS: If you would like to share any ideas with us on how we can support the black community please don’t hesitate to email us.

Did we miss one? Send us a note!

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Fine Art/Design:

Art by Madonna/MXO (@madonnapannell)

Markenzy Cesar (@markenzycesar)

The Left-Handed Bandit (@lfthandedbandit)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Still here. Still grinding.. 18”x24” Untitled #LHB |Commissioned| @mshollywood_xo • • • • ‘Double Up’ by @nipseyhussle I DO NOT OWN RIGHTS TO THIS MUSIC

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HEMLOCK (@xiii_513)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Separation. #wip

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Edreys (@edreys)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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— “dying privilege” In response to black lives being snatched by police/ citizens, students and athletes kneeled in peace. remember? your privilege wailed out in gut wrenching pain from their protest of silence/ because kneeling while “the bombs bursting in air” was oh so violent. students were reprimanded, adults fired for a kneeling demonstration/ yet you some how tolerated without flinch a cop kneeling a human into asphyxiation. face down, staring narcissistically into a pool of our own tears tinged with plasma/ the elephants in the room will river dance on our diaphragms, then report it wasn’t distress, it was underlying asthma. If in conversation the words “I’m not racist” pirouettes on your tongue, may your immunity of privilege die on the limbs from which we are hung. -by edreys

A post shared by Edreys (@edreys) on

Robert Harris (@paintingmachine)

Dani DuJour (@dani_dujour)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Staring.

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Alexa Joan (@byalexajoan)

Ashley Kay (@art_ashleykay)

Jarael Adams (@jaraeladams)

Saleem Naseer-Capone (@sykelee91)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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CONGRATULATIONS QUEENS!!! @nickiminaj. @dojacat. @beyonce. @theestallion. #fanart. #artistsoninstagram. #nickiminaj. #dojacat. #beyonce. #megantheestallion

A post shared by Saleem Naseer-Capone (@sykelee91) on

James Cooper III (@jamesjcooperIII )

Photo courtesy of James J. Cooper III

Byron Brown II, a.k.a. $eeing $ounds  (@seeings0unds) Vimeo

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Gesso on the pavement

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Ferris B (@InkByFerrisB)

Zhanna Reed (@zhelre)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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”Leftie paints” sprung from a mini exploration series of “leftie doodles” in January 2019. These leftie series are an invitation to explore outside of one’s common creative niche. Zhelré (the artist), more commonly known as Zhanna Reed, is a vocal musician, writer, model, actor, dancer, accustomed right-hander, and occasional leftie. Enjoy the dexterity of this leftie journey. Special thanks to Carrie Catalano. Music: “Avalanche” by Afro Jazz. Major support provided by M&T Bank. Additional support provided by Savarino Companies. @zhelre @ub_artsandsciences @ubcfa @ubdeptart @ubtheatredance @mediastudyub @ubartgalleries #ubmusic @mandt_bank @savarinocompanies @universityatbuffalo #thisisfair #newartdealers #UBuffalo #ubartscollaboratory @buffalony #wny #UBuffalostrong #wnyculturalconnections #wny #buffalony #artathome #artwhereyouare #artatub #artforthesociallydistanced #teachingmuseum #liveyourartathome

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Julia Bottoms (@joo_lea)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Jason Brown’s name and story is one we all should know when we talk about black excellence/ giving back to those around us. I don’t think this man has gotten the recognition he deserves for his bold commitment to service. Back in 2009 Brown Had a 5 year 37.5 million dollar contract with NFL (the highest paid center in NFL history!). He walked away from football after making $25 million with plenty of career still ahead of him. Brown states that he did this because “When I think about a life of greatness I think about a life of service.” Upon leaving the NFL, Brown was determined to start a farm, even despite not knowing a thing about farming. When others told him it was a mistake he remained steadfast and gained the knowledge he needed from YouTube! His farm is all about sharing with his community and aiding in hunger relief in North Carolina. He takes what he harvests from his land gives it to those in need. His farm has also expanded to awesome community minded initiatives like the Sow A Seed project, which encourages others to grow gardens and donate the food to those in need. Brown is quoted as saying “Love is the most wonderful currency you can give anyone.” Thank you @wisefarmerbrown Jason Brown for your service to others and your community-minded leadership! Check out his page and his website to learn more: https://wisdomforlife.org/firstfruitsfarm Cred: Mila J #blackchangemakers #blackartist #oiloncanvas #miniaturepainting #timelapse #jasonbrown

A post shared by Julia Bottoms (@joo_lea) on

John Baker (@johnbakart)

John Baker Buffalo Renaissance Mural

Obsidian Bellis (@maybeheaven)

LeRoi C. Johnson (@LeRoiC.Johnson)

LeRoi C. Johnson artwork

Rodney Taylor rodneytaylorstudio.com

Rodney Taylor Black and White Series

George Afedzi Hughes (@afedzi43)

Chris George (@empty.fortune.cookie and @giruck)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Acrylic on .25x24x24” plywood

A post shared by Empty Fortune Cookie (@empty.fortune.cookie) on

Kobie Barber (@kobie_barber_artist)

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Music

Jae Skeese (@jaeskeese)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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“Hiigher” Produced By @camoflaugemonk Is Available Now On All Streaming Platforms… Drop A ✈️✈️✈️ Once You Let That Rock In My Comments #collectyourwealth

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Walter Kemp 3 (@walterkemp3)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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In action…. @yamahamusicusa #gruvology #originalcomposition #originalmusic #freethinking #yamahapiano

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Zuri Appleby (@zuriapplebass)

Van Taylor (@vantaylorproductions)

Armonde Moe Badger (@moebadger)

Alan Kage Thomas (@kage_durden) soundcloud

Alan Kage Durden on SoundCloud

Curtis Lovell (@curtislovellmusic)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Thank you. Thank you. thank you. @ojodefortuna @cherubinoir @taly__inkz @artejaqui !!!! ❤️ @miss.mermaidez

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MYQ F (@fkaunicrn)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Recorded Live @gcraudio Journey of Healing by Ten Thousand. Healing is saying I’m sorry. #myqf #716music #originalmusic #healing #forgiveness #riseabove #imsorry #farrow

A post shared by MYQ F (@fkaunicrn) on

Juini Booth (@juinibooth)

Juini Booth

Trè Marsh (@Tr38cho)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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This song is a kid friendly reminder for all of us to wash our hands.

A post shared by Trè Marsh (@tr38cho) on

Photography

DJ Carr (@djcarrr)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Act like you know what time it is.

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Merik Goma Photography (@meriklg)

Alana Adeotola (@alanadetolarts__photography)

George K. Arthur

Photo of graffiti taken by Arthur / Photo courtesy of El Museo

Rasheed Jones ( @blackbeltjonez114)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Christopher Ronald Shipman (@legacyphotographycrshipman)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Shot: 12/8/18 _______________ #Model: Shy @neara_shy_ Shy is the reason I bought the fairy lights in the first place. With her wanting to add this part to her shoot, it let me expand a little. Even though I had never done it before. So it was a strange form of trust there that I’d do at least a decent job. It took us a while to get into the solid Grove to do these…but we pulled it off…. eventually. Shy had it down packed. I have more to learn but this is a solid start. _______________________________________________ Follow Legacy Photography on #Facebook! Link is in the bio. And follow this gram for special photos and sample of photoshoot sets. _______________________________________________ #legacyphotographycrshipman #zeiss55mm17 #sonya6500 #photography #photographer #Buffalophotographer #capturethemoments #sonyalphagang #handicappedphotographer #sonymirrorless #sonycamera #hashtagstepoutbuffalo #selftaughtphotography #portaitphotography #fairylights #fairylightphotography

A post shared by C.R.Shipman (@legacyphotographycrshipman) on

Paul Knight (@paullknight)

Unique Visions (@unique_visions_716)

Yung PainKiller (@yungpainkiller)

Poetry/Writing/Speaker

Annette Daniels Taylor (@annettedanielstaylor)

Ten Thousand (@tenthousandpoetry)

Gary Earl Ross (@garyearlross)

Karima Amin (@KarimaAmin)

Brandon Williamson (@pureinkpoetry)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Moments from Night of Champions. Photos by JW Design and Photo

A post shared by Pure Ink Poetry (@pureinkpoetry) on

Betty Jean Grant (@BettyJeanGrant)

Photo from Betty Jean Grant’s Facebook Page

A.I. The Anomaly (@aitheanomaly)

Eve Williams Wilson (@eveinpeace) Just Buffalo Literary Center

Eve Williams Wilson / Photo courtesy of Just Buffalo Literary Center

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Media/Film/Theatre

Korey Green (@1koreygreen)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The Blackness Project Directed by: Korey Green

A post shared by Korey Green (@1koreygreen) on

Addison Henderson (@realaddison)

Johnette Warren Askew & Marvin Askew II (@expressedent)

expressed entertainment
Photo courtesy of Expressed Entertainment

Verneice Turner (@verneiceturner )

Verneice Turner
Verneice Turner

Phil Davis Sr. (@PhilDavisSr.)

Doug Ruffin (@urbanlegacyfilmworks)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Image by @alanadetolarts___photography

A post shared by Doug Ruffin (@urbanlegacyfilmworks) on

Dance/Drag:

Nakita Moné (@nakita_monet)

Brooklynn Walker (@moxiemichel)

Shane Depree Fry (@shane_depree) soundcloud

Christian Jones (@christian.javaughn)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Denny Hemphill (@nyeusigoat_frevkquency)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Fun #dennyhempclasses Kids Intermediate Hip-Hop classes| Every Thursday | @7pm | @_thedancecamp | 25th Anniversary

A post shared by Denny “FreVkquency” Hemp (@nyeusigoat_frevkquency) on

Naila Ansari (@naila_scholarist)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Pause. Breath. But Don’t Stop. Naila Ansari and Marquis Burton return with a new dance and poetry collaboration: Pause. Breath. But Don’t Stop. The practice of movement and words allows for moments of breath and pause without stopping. Reflecting on recent events and murders of Black folks in America, Ansari and Burton look to bring healing–and also a recognition that this time in history is not just a moment of revolution, but rather an alternative way of existing. @naila_scholartist @tenthousandpoetry @ub_artsandsciences @mediastudyub @ubartgalleries @ubcfa @ubdeptart @ubtheatredance #ubmusic @mandt_bank @savarinocompanies @universityatbuffalo #Ubuffalo #ubartscollaboratory #wny #wnyculturalconnections #buffalony #artathome #artwhereyouare #artatub #artforthesociallydistanced #liveyourartathome #contemporaryart #contemporarydance #choreography #covidart #quarantinelife #quarantineartclub #quarantineart #remotelyyours #dance #videoart #zoomart #liveperformance

A post shared by Naila Ansari (@naila_scholartist) on

James Levy, Jr. ( @jlev104)

Sapphire SeaQueen (@_shesadanca)

Sistah Don (@sistah_don)

Honey Jazel (@honeyjazel)

Honey Jazel

Joan DeMonique Grace (@joangraceofficial)

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!

Editorial Submissions (Lite)
Include name of business / organization / addition, website, and address if possible.
Are you directly affiliated with this businesses? (Owner, Manager, Staff etc.) *
Sign up to receive our Step Out Buffalo Business email newsletter about marketing and business tips
Subscribe to Step Out Buffalo’s daily newsletter about the best things to do, places to go, eat and drink in Buffalo & WNY.

This post was originally published in June 2020 and has been updated.

#blacklivesmatter

Written by <a href="https://stepoutbuffalo.com/author/norah/" target="_self">Nora Hassan</a>

Written by Nora Hassan

Nora is studying Marketing and Fashion Business at Canisius College and FIT. She's really into local art and murals and always love to try new things!
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