By SERA KING / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- “rePresent by Kenneth Grant Inzpirations, ” a FREE photography and art exhibition featuring local African American residents, opens today at One Daytona.
The exhibition is the continued mission of James and LaToya Carey, which started last year in the first installment of the exhibition.
The Careys specialize in signature portraiture from professional headshots to creative photography and own Kenneth Grant Inzpirations Studio which is named after their two children, Kenneth and Grant.
According to LaToya Carey, “After the distasteful portrayal of African Americans during a Google search in November of 2020, we instantly saw a need to do something about it. The Google search revealed imagery that was not aspirational at all. We also learned that less than 2% of all art displayed in major art galleries in America make up African Americans. Changing the narrative became our mandate and our responsibility.”
The Careys asked for input through their social media channels to learn who the community believed to be inspirational.
They were surprised and grateful to receive hundreds of recommendations. They have compiled a collection of 88 portraits of African American role models, leaders, and inspiring individuals who personify success through education, business, the arts, and more.
Some of the subjects of the portraits are included in “collections” which James Carey said, "are collections of portraits that tell a story about an important nuance of African American culture like the influence of speakeasies on jazz or the influence one man has on 40 youth he mentors in our local area.”
All of these collections have been compiled in a magazine that attendees of the exhibition leave with to further carry the message. That message:
Some special events during the exhibition include Youth Day, Saturday, Feb. 5, from 11 am to 8 pm. Youth Day will be an opportunity for children to come through the exhibition and meet Former NFL Great, Marcus Pollard, at 1 pm, along with individuals featured in their collections.
WHERE: The exhibition location is 1 Daytona Blvd., Suite G600, between Pink Narcissus and GameTime.
WHEN: The exhibition hours are Weekdays: 5 pm-8 pm Weekend: 11 am-8 pm.
About the Byline Writer: Sera King is associate publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet in Lake Mary, FL serving greater Orlando, Sanford, and Daytona Beach via HeadlineSurfer.com since 2008. She's also a byline writer (business, community & sports features), a videographer, and a cartoonist for the media outlet. King received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Metro Orlando Campus of Ana G. Mendez University in 2008. Headline Surfer is published by Henry Frederick, Central Florida's award-winning journalist.