Deets: Blouse- Mary Katrantzou Alcatraz Blouse, $1,250.00 barneys.com/ Bracelet-Lakshmi, $258.00 damijo.com/ Printed linen and silk Blend Skirt, $390.00 Net-a-Porter/ Laser cut leather shorts, 3.1 Phillip Lim/ Wool, silk and leather dress with skater skirt, David Koma/ Jefferey Campbell Ivory suede skate bootie

Name: Justice Whitaker

Age: 29

Hometown: Arroyo Grande, CA

Current Location: Brooklyn NY

What does Five.12 Collective stand for?

Five.12 is a small collective of international artists that believe art can be used as a tool for expanding people’s understandings of the world. Art is a tool that has infinite impact, through  image, film, song, and many other things – global change may occur, community change may occur or personal change may occur. Five + one + Two = Eight. [...]

It’s a popular belief that slavery, migration and destruction has caused a scattering of the things that our ancestors once held so precious. Because of these very things, many Black Americans have no idea of their history and culture. That’s why people like Shantrelle P. Lewis are relevant and heaven sent. Raised in New Orleans, Ms. Lewis has demonstrated a commitment to researching, documenting and preserving the African Diaspora’s culture. A graduate of Howard University, Shantrelle chose to take her [...]

February 18, 1978 Fela Kuti married the entire female entourage of his band in a ceremony conducted by a Yoruba priest. The group marriage lasted until Fela’s release from prison in 1985 when he decided he no longer believed in marriage and divorced the twelve wives that were still with him. A few remained part of the band and the music went on – business as usual.

Photos by Dexter Jones

photos by [...]