The Alt Black

 

Like most of the people whom I interview, I met today’s interviewee,  Daquan online via Instagram. I am not sure when I followed him, but I liked that he has modeling ambitions. I recall watching his Instagram story and seeing back to back post of different agencies that he was auditioning for.  What really took me away was his resolve to continuously modeling, because of the representation that he could bring to the industry.  He along with many people whom I follow are challenging the status quo of what a model should be. I am glad that Daquan reached out to me and allowed me to tell his story.

 

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Where are you from and how does that shape who you are?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Harlem, NY.  These two places have undoubtedly impacted his life due to their cultural aspects in regards to music, art, and fashion. When you come to Brooklyn, it’s more culturally diverse, while Harlem is more hip-hop.”

What it is you do and why do you do it?
I currently am a barista for Starbucks. As a child, I was very shy and I am using this as an opportunity to enhance my communication skills.

Could you describe the moment when you decided that you wanted to begin modeling?
I remember going to my first fashion show, it was the Hudson Independent Designers show. During the show, I met the CEO of the show, along with the models. That night, the models in the show suggested that I begin modeling. That was all that I needed, that night I began to research everything model related and began working on my walk.The first show that I walked in was walkfashionshow, a NYFW.

Could you describe a high and low in your life and how that situation has prepared you for what you are doing now?
I used to go to castings and nobody wanted to give me a chance because I was plus size. I had my first breakthrough during New York Fashion Week, walking for Keith Jaki’ Arrington.
How you would you use your platform to change colorism in the community?
I  would use my platform to inform people around the world that we are all equal.  Love and respect are things that we need to be constantly teaching each other.

“In ten years, I see myself as a legend in the modeling industry and starting my clothing line.”

  Rihanna

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Tony Solomonand Dallas Wade  I love their confidence and their ability to express emotion in their pictures.”

 

Could you describe your latest project and why you felt that there is a need for it?
The last project that I did was for my company, Culture Youth, I recently did a collaboration with that’s my size, a company whose views align with mine.  We want to show people that body positivity is needed and we as people use to start loving ourselves.

Social Media:Culture youth on Facebook culture_youtth is my business page for my company which is connected to my FB.