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FAYNC MAGAZINE
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This cinematographic extension of FAYNC Magazine aims to get a closer look at the FAYNC community as we talk to people at events and sports games, along with interviews, small segment shows, series and more!
Video Interview with Carlos Tolentino, Owner of Gallery 13 18-22
Photography
by Zairis T. Miles
Video Interview with J'Kwan Fulmore, Founder of Er'body Eatz
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Yo!
It’s a major moment for FAYNC MAG—5 years in the game! First off, thank you for opening up this special anniversary issue. This one means everything. What started as a vision to highlight the culture, creativity, and community of our city has now grown into something much bigger than I could’ve imagined.
From day one, FAYNC MAG has been about celebrating the unique flavor of Fayetteville and the people who make it shine. Over the last five years, we’ve documented the stories that matter, amplified the voices of creatives who refuse to play small, and built something that truly reflects the soul of Fayetteville. If you’ve been with us since Issue One, you already know the vibes. If this is your first time tapping in—welcome to the family. Whether you’ve been rocking with us since issue one or you’re just flipping through these pages for the first time—welcome, you’re part of this story now.
This anniversary issue is more than just a look back—it’s a moment of reflection. We are growing into a new chapter, growing, evolving, and stepping even bolder into our
@zairistejion
ABOUT FAYNC MAGAZINE
MISSION
To revolutionize traditional media platforms by providing a platform for the voices in our community that have yet to be heard. We strive to highlight positive, community-focused initiatives, organizations, businesses, and creatives in Fayetteville and North Carolina. We aim to create engaging and immersive content that integrates art, music, and culture to inform, educate, inspire, and empower our subscribers and followers to become community change-makers in Fayetteville, NC.
VISION
To lead the way in creating and sharing innovative, cutting-edge content that sheds light on the history and evolution of Fayetteville and North Carolina. We aim to capture and reveal authentic narratives from our community and become the unifying entity for community-driven content through skillful and accurate articles, social posts, and storytelling. We envision a future where Fayetteville is known regionally and nationally for its continuously growing and evolving community of change-makers, with our media platform serving as the hub for this positive movement.
HISTORY
FAYNC Magazine was founded September 9, 2020 by Zairis T. Miles.
CONTACT
FAYNC MAGAZINE fayncmag@gmail.com fayncmagazine.com Fayetteville, NC
SOCIAL
@FAYNCMAG
@FAYNCMAG
@FAYNCMAG
@FAYNCMAG
MENTORING WITH LOVE LEADING WITH PURPOSE ,
Interview with Mckenna Hart, Founder and CEO of Heart to Hart Mentoring & Community Outreach Center
Article by Christina Miles
Photography by @zairistejion, Zairis T. Miles
There’s something special happening in Fayetteville—and it’s coming straight from the heart. Founded by Mckenna Hart, Heart to Hart Mentoring & Community Outreach Center is a rising nonprofit dedicated to creating space for youth to feel seen, supported, and empowered. With a mission to “mentor with love and lead with purpose,” the organization is already shifting the landscape for young people in the community.
“We serve all youth— whether they’re struggling emotionally, socially, or academically,” Hart explains. “No child is left behind.”
Though the program originally focused on students ages 8 to 18, it didn’t take long to realize the need was bigger than expected. Now, Heart to Hart welcomes youth from kindergarten through early adulthood, offering a full-circle support system built to meet every young person right where they are.
“For the younger ones, we might visit them at school, eat lunch together, or plan field trips,” says Hart. “Middle and high schoolers have access to mentorship, academic support, and even scholarships. We make sure every student walks away with something.”
But the real power of Heart to Hart is in how it shows up—literally. From awards ceremonies to community events, mentors step in as the kind of consistent presence every young person deserves.
“We show up when there’s no one else,” Hart says. “All throughout their lives—we’ll still be there. We’re like family.”
That sense of family isn’t just a nice sentiment—it’s foundational. Trust is the heartbeat of Heart to Hart’s work, and building that trust starts with simply showing up as a friend.
“First, I’m their friend,” Hart shares. “I listen. I support. No judgment—just someone they can trust.”
Progress looks different for every child. For some, it’s climbing their way out of academic struggle. For others, it’s breaking out of their shell and learning to engage with others. McKenna and her team track growth holistically—looking at the full picture of who each student is becoming.
“We try to say, okay, what do they need? If they're struggling in math, are their grades improving? If they came in shy and withdrawn, are they now engaging and joining in activities?”
While Heart to Hart is still new on the nonprofit scene, it’s already building momentum. Through events, partnerships, and outreach, they’re making sure the community knows who they are—and what they stand for.
"We’re still getting our name out there, but we want people to know we’re all about family, all about love—and giving back.”
Heart to Hart Mentoring + Community Outreach Center
MCKENNA HART, FOUNDER + CEO
And now, the call is out for support. Whether it’s mentorship, tutoring, helping at events—or simply making a donation—there are countless ways to get involved.
“Even a dollar goes a long way,” Hart emphasizes. “It all goes back to the students.”
One of the center’s biggest highlights is its incentive and scholarship system, designed to motivate and reward students for showing up for themselves. Students earn $5 for every A on their report card and $2 for every B. Perfect attendance can land them a gift card. And for high schoolers who stay with the program through graduation, scholarship checks of up to $250 await.
“We want to encourage consistency, commitment, and achievement,” Hart explains. “It’s our way of celebrating their dedication.”
From the Inside: Jah'el’s Perspective
Meet Jah'el—both a mentee and a mentor at Heart to Hart. His journey with the organization is personal and powerful.
“My aunt is the CEO, so that’s how I got connected,” he says. “I’m a mentee, but I also help mentor others.”
Through Heart to Hart, Jah'el says he’s gained more than just guidance—he’s gained purpose.
“Helping people is fun. It’s kind. And when people help you, it feels good to give that energy back,” he reflects.
And if one of his friends asked what Heart to Hart is all about?
“Heart to Hart is all about helping people in situations where they need support,” he says. “If you need something, they’ll do everything they can. It’s a good organization—and it’s fun!”
“My motto is creating something out of nothing–Everything here is one of a kind, you won t find it anywhere. I paint with bleach I do a lot of mixed media pieces that sometimes you won’t think of as art, but I’ll make it into an art piece. “
CRIBZ:
CRIBZ:
Video Interview with Carlos Tolentino, Owner of Gallery 13
Interview by Zairis T. Miles
Photography and Videogrpahy by @zairistejion, Zairis T. Miles
CARLOS TOLENTINO, OWNER Gallery 13
Spotify playlist curated
in collaboration with FAYNC MAG: SUMMER 2025 Issue Click to listen
by Zairis TeJion
series by Zairis T. Miles
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MORE THAN A STORE: THE HEART BEHIND MORE THAN A STORE: THE HEART BEHIND THRIFT TIQUE
Interview with Kyri Hall, Owner of Thrift Tique
Article by Christina Miles | Photography by @zairistejion, Zairis T Miles
Just off Cumberland Road sits Thrift
Tique—a beloved gem in Fayetteville’s creative community. What started as a small, family-rooted vision has grown into a full-on multigenerational powerhouse, built on hustle, heart, and secondhand grit.
Owner Kyri Hall wasn’t always in the thrift game. “My father actually pushed me to grow to Cumberland Road,” she shares. “I was working in the bar scene and a small thrift store on Roxy Avenue. We purchased the land and decided to go all in.”
That leap brought her whole family closer—literally. “It was a good opportunity to bring my mom in, my daughter, and bring us back together,” she says. “My daughter wasn’t even living here at the time, so now we get to work together.”
Though her father’s health keeps him behind the scenes these days, his presence is still very much felt. “He’s a big part of this, too,” Kyri says. Now, Thrift Tique is run by a tight-knit team of women— Kyri, her mom Grandma Jo, and her daughter Kayla Jo—keeping the family legacy alive with every curated piece.
That legacy? It’s personal. “I have one daughter, and bringing her back home, that’s something I can leave for her,” Kyri says. “She’s really good with people, and I think this is going to be her thing. She’s a people person, like her mama and her grandma.”
Everything at Thrift Tique reflects that people-first energy. “My father was a huge people person. I ran a bar for 21 years, so I guess that prepped me for this,” Kyri says. “But the biggest thing is—it’s gotta be fun. If it’s not happy and fun, we don’t want to do it.”
And that vibe? It’s felt the second you step inside. From budget-friendly finds to unique vintage scores, there’s something for everyone—and it’s all handpicked by Kyri herself. “I do all the choosing, and I’m very particular,” she says. “It’s gotta be clean, and I’ve gotta like it. If I don’t like it, I don’t bring it in."
She’s thoughtful about price points too. “The front porch stuff is usually clearance-level,” she adds. “Inside, you’ll find higher-end pieces—but I keep things accessible, from low budget to high, so everyone can find something they love.”
Most of the shop’s inventory comes from full house cleanouts and estate hauls. “We usually go in on Sundays and Mondays,” Kyri says. “My boyfriend helps me out. We do full or partial buyouts, mostly from people relocating or downsizing.”
But Thrift Tique isn’t just about the finds—it’s about the feeling. “A lot of our customers are more than just customers—they’re friends,” Kyri says. “They stop in to say hey, hang out, have coffee, or just chat. I know their names, what they like. I even hide stuff in the shop for them to discover.”
She continues, “This isn’t a typical store—we actually care. We know our people, their
That energy flows through the shop’s décor, too. Take Raylan the pirate, standing proud out front. “He’s been with me for 15 years,” Kyri says. “I found him in a barn in Lumberton. Some folks think he’s creepy, others love him. But he’s definitely a photo-op.”
Outside, there’s also a vintage red phone booth with a wild backstory. “It came from the Heart of Fayetteville in the early ’80s,” Kyri explains. “It was gifted by the Stout family and stored under the Utah Shopping Center. It weighs 1,800 pounds—we had to bring in a crane. It’s pre-Queen Elizabeth, from her mother’s era. Total conversation piece. Now everyone wants to take pics with it—or buy it!” Running a business with your family is no small feat, but it’s made for some unforgettable moments. “There were two Mother’s Days in a row where we were working on house cleanouts—one day was 12 hours long,” Kyri says. “We’ve spent Easters, birthdays, and holidays in other people’s houses
One of the biggest hauls? “My birthday—we were in a 5,000-square-foot house in Lumberton,” she recalls. “It took three days to pack up. So yeah, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes hustle before stuff ever hits the floor.”
After the pickup phase, there’s still plenty of work to do. “We process everything out back, sort it, donate a ton, clean what’s needed, and then bring it into the store,” she says.
Looking ahead, Kyri sees a bright future—with Kayla Jo at the helm. “I hope she loves it as much as I do. This is passion. I think she’ll make it better,” Kyri says. “She’s in the know with trends and teaches
me stuff all the time. We’ve made something special here—and I hope she keeps it going."
For Kayla Jo, coming home was a full-circle moment.
And for Grandma Jo, her role as the matriarch in the business is something she treasures.
" Some call me Grandma Jo , JoJo — whatever feels right to them “ Helping Kyri is important to me because she ’ s doing so much . Being here means I get time with both of them . I admire her strength . And I love the people — they ’ re just like family too .”
–Grandma Jo
At Thrift Tique, it’s not just about secondhand treasures—it’s about generational love, community connection, and a whole lot of joy. Whether you’re dropping in to browse, chat, or snap a pic with Raylan, you’re part of something bigger. And that’s the real find.
“ My fondest memory would be first moving back from Charlotte and realizing I ’ m rooting myself here . “ Now , I get to spend every day with family . Before , I barely had time with them . I really love it .”
–Kaykla
Jo
Thrift Tique 3455 Cumberland Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28306 (910) 494-0139
@thrift_tique kyrithrift@gmail.com
BREATHE . FLIP. REPEAT.
Video Interview with J'Kwan Fulmore, Founder of Er'body Eatz
Interview by Zairis T. Miles
and Videogrpahy by @zairistejion, Zairis T
. Miles
PLANTING HOPE: PLANTING HOPE:
“ We all win when everybody has a seat at the table . And that ' s when we ' re all eating the same foods , or we all have access to the same foods . Er ' body Eatz essentially is if I eat you eat . If I ' m doing well , you ' re doing well . If I have it , and I have it to give it , you ' ve got it as well . “
Photography
J'KWAN FULMORE, FOUNDER
Er'body Eatz
@finessechefkwan
erbodyeatz@gmail.com
erbodyeatzmovement.org
COLOR THEORY + CONCRETE DREAMS: THE PONCHO EFFECT
Interview with Poncho, Graffiti Artist
Article by Zairis T. Miles | Photography by @zairistejion, Zairis T. Miles
Poncho’s work isn’t just on the walls of Fayetteville—you see it in the streets, on the trucks, and now in the conversations shaping the city’s creative future. Known for his eye-popping color palettes, nostalgic 90s energy, and signature graffiti style, Poncho is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable names in Fayetteville’s visual scene. But long before the commissions and murals, it all started with crayons, sketchbooks, and a little family inspiration that sparked Poncho’s mind elevating his work.
“I was a kid when it started My pops used to write back in the '60s. He would write my name out in his book, draw characters, dragons all sorts of stuff. I really picked up drawing and graffiti from him.
My mom was really nice with the crayons, so I learned color theory through her."
For Poncho, drawing was always second nature. This was an everyday thing for Poncho, He stayed sketching names, doodling graffiti, and remixing tags in his notebooks without even knowing it was a thing. “I didn’t know it was anything until people started asking me to do their names too. That’s when I realized it might be something.” But it wasn’t until someone handed him legit graffiti paint—about seven or eight years ago—that he made it official. “I started painting in my garage first. I already had the name I wanted, but I didn’t know how I wanted to do it yet. So I taped a bunch of cardboard boxes to the back wall and just kept writing my name over and over until I felt ready to hit real spots.” Bridges became his new canvas, and Poncho was born.
If you’ve seen his work, you already know his style hits different. The color combos, the characters— they’ve got that classic cartoon vibe that’s hard to miss. “90s cartoons is my vibe,” he explains. “Something about the colors, the characters—that whole era. I try to stick to bubbly, colorful letters.
Sometimes I switch it up, but I feel like that’s my niche—colorful characters, fun stuff like that."
From wildstyle graffiti to painting full trucks and murals, Poncho’s got a workflow that blends art with innovation. “A lot of stress,” he laughs. “I usually start by checking out the wall or truck, then I give them a quote—not based on square footage, but the amount of detail and time involved. A small space can still need a lot of work.” Once he’s got the vision locked in, he sketches it out on his iPad, projects it using his Oculus, then paints it like a coloring book. “It’s easier now with the technology. When it comes to commissions, that’s how I do it. But when it comes to street art or actual graffiti, that’s all from the dome. No stencil.”
Even as he’s made his way into the business side of art, Poncho stays rooted and grounded in his graffiti roots—and yea if your wondering well yea, he knows the debate between “graffiti” and “street art” all too well. “I never expected graffiti to become something I’d get paid for. It was a way for me to rebel, to stay out of trouble, to find passion,” he says. “In the graffiti world, people will say,
‘You’re not a real graffiti artist—you’re a street artist.’ There’s a difference. But I’m trying to modernize it.”
He breaks it down: “A lot of graffiti artists are struggling—homeless, addicts, or just doing it to pass the time. They say graffiti is the poor man’s way of art because they can’t afford paper, so they paint on walls. But now I’m trying to turn it into a business, to live off it. I love graffiti and art, period. I don’t care if it’s street art or graffiti. I do both.”
And Fayetteville? Poncho sees major potential in The Ville. “I feel like our city is a little behind when it comes to graffiti, murals, and street art. Charlotte and Raleigh have their own arts districts—we don’t. I think if we had that here, it would draw more people in and help businesses, create more of a community vibe,” he says. “I’d love to see it be more gentrified out here, for sure. It could bring people together and give them a place to feel welcome.”
As for what’s next—Poncho’s keeping it a little hushhush, but the moves are being made. “I got some stuff in the works I can’t really talk about yet—some clothing brand collabs, a bunch of commercial and personal gigs.” His real focus though? Building a crew and creating opportunities for other artists. “I want to build a team—not just graffiti artists, but all kinds of painters. I want to be able to take on big gigs and subcontract work out. Like, you’re good at murals? Cool. You’re good at characters or realism? I’ll send you where you fit. I’ll take a percentage, sure, but everyone’s making money and growing. I can’t paint everything myself.”
At the core of it all, Poncho’s still the same kid who started out in a garage, tagging cardboard with his chosen name. Now, he’s rewriting the story of what graffiti can be in the South—and bringing others with him.
You can view Poncho's work around FAYNC and also see his work on display at The
August 17, 2025.
Coffee Scene Prince Charles July 20 -
VILLE MENTALITY: A POETIC RIDE THROUGH THE SOUL OF FAYETTEVILLE
Ville Mentality Poem
Poem by Zairis T. Miles Editor In Chief
They call it The Ville,
But to us, it’s more than just a name on a map or a dot on a GPS screen. It’s a heartbeat.
A place where dreams sprout between cracked sidewalks and the echoes of ambition bounce off brick walls that been standing longer than the pain they’ve witnessed.
See, the Ville mentality ain’t just about surviving—
It’s about flipping survival into art, turning every setback into a verse, every heartbreak into a hook that still plays in your head long after the song fades.
It’s waking up to the hum of cicadas in the summer, to the whisper of pine trees telling you: “Don’t forget where you came from.”
The Ville will remind you real quick that nothing’s handed out, that you gotta grind with both hands, both feet, and the heart God gave you just to carve out a lane in a world that wasn’t built for you to win.
But the Ville mentality?
Man, it’s resilience wrapped in rhythm
It’s the auntie who raised you while holding down three jobs. It’s your homie freestyling on the porch, his words heavy like the humidity but floating like the hope that still lives here.
It’s the high school hoop dreams, the corner store wisdom, the slow cook Sundays where family means everything —even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
There’s poetry in Fayetteville.
Not the kind you read in textbooks, but the kind you live.
The kind you bleed.
The kind that whispers, “Even if the world sleeps on you, you better not sleep on yourself.”
The Ville mentality is taking that pain and pressure and turning it into diamonds, whether that’s music, hustle, love, or legacy.
It’s rooted in pride but reaching for the sky, just like a kid with headphones on, dreaming of stages way bigger than Bragg Boulevard, but still knowing this city raised them, shaped them, gave them stories they’ll carry forever.
And maybe that’s the beauty of it.
The Ville doesn’t ask for perfection— it just asks you to be real, stay hungry, and remember who you are.
’Cause in this city, every soul got a verse, every street got a story, and if you listen closely, you’ll hear the heartbeat of the Ville pulsing like a drum, reminding you:
“This is where legends are made.”
THANK YOU
CREDITS +THANKS
We would like to thank all of our website subscribers and followers on social media first and foremost. You all encourage and motivate us to keep creating and sharing content that promotes FAYNC and the wonderful and unique people, places and businesses in the city
We would like to thank everyone who played a part in our Anniversary Issue! Thank you to the many people that allowed us to highlight them in FAYNC MAGAZINE. You all helped shape the magazine and make FAYNC shine: Mckenna Hart, Carlos Tolentino, Kyri Hall, Kayla Jo, Grandma Jo, J'Kwan Fulmore, and Poncho.
Lastly, thank you to each person who played a part in our REPLAY 2-Day pop-up exhibit: Al Bowman, Collyn Strother, Courtney Cheatham, James Vader, Kia Jones, Tommi Lee, and The Black Canvas.
Zairis + Christina Miles FAYNC Magazine
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