FAYNC MAGAZINE
DOWNTOWN
FAYETTEVILLE
SEPTEMBER
25TH AND 26TH
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MAGAZINE tv
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!
Click the FMtv’s to watch our latest interviews and content.
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CONTENTS 6
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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ABOUT FAYNC MAGAZINE
Zairis T. Miles, Founder + Editor In Chief
Vision, Mission, History, Contact and Social
DREAM IS TO IMAGINE WHAT THE FUTURE COULD BE 13 TO Poem by LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens DREAMERS WHO STAY 15 THE Interview with Molly Arnold, Owner of Rude Awakening and Cursive LIVE FROM THE VILLE 20 DREAMERS: Photography Series by O5VISIONARY Charles McNeill VILLE - THE SMALL CITY WITH BIG DREAMS 34 THE Tracey Morrison, Guest Writer THE QUEZTION EFFECT 38 FMTV: Video Interview with Queztion, Livestreamer & Designer THE TOURCH 40 CARRYING Interview with Collyn Strother, Founder of Croo Studios, Graphic Designer & Creative Director PROFILE: ANTHONY JONES 47 ARTIST Anthony Jones, K. Chesterr Put Me On Game Podcast MAGAZINE CREDITS + THANKS 54 FAYNC Zairis & Christina Miles
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Zairis TéJion Miles Founder + Editor In Chief FAYNC Magazine @zairistejionmiles
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DREAMERS, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU. The FAYNC DREAMERS Edition is officially here and this one means a little more. Because for the first time, FAYNC Magazine is in print. What started as an idea, a conversation, a camera roll full of stories, and a desire to document the people shaping Fayetteville has officially become something you can hold in your hands. That is monumental for us. For years, FAYNC Magazine has existed digitally — telling stories, highlighting artists, documenting culture, and creating space for the people making things happen across the Ville. But there is something different about seeing these stories printed on pages. You can pick this issue up. You can pass it to a friend. You can leave it on a coffee table. You can bookmark a page this isn’t just a magazine, it’s a Ville time capsule. And this first print issue is dedicated to the people who make Fayetteville dream bigger. The FAYNC DREAMERS. The artists. The musicians. The photographers. The entrepreneurs. The designers. The organizers. The creatives. The culture shifters. The visionaries. The community builders. The people who keep showing up with an idea and figuring out how to make it real. Some of these dreams are already taking shape. Some are still being built. Some haven’t even been announced yet. But they all have something in common: They started with someone believing that something could exist before there was any proof that it would. That’s what FAYNC DREAMERS is about. It’s about celebrating the people who refuse to wait for permission to create the future they want to see. And honestly, this issue is a reflection of that same spirit. Creating a print magazine in Fayetteville, NC in a time when so much of our culture lives on screens is its own kind of dream. We believed these stories deserved more than a scroll. They deserved pages. They deserved permanence. They deserved to exist beyond an algorithm. So to everyone featured in this issue — thank you for trusting us with your stories, your work, your ideas, and your dreams. And to everyone who helped bring this issue to life: thank you. Dreaming is powerful, but dreaming together is how communities move forward. To our readers, thank you for growing with us. Thank you for believing in FAYNC Magazine. Thank you for reminding us that there is an audience for stories rooted in Fayetteville, creativity, culture, and community. And thank you for helping us get to this moment. Our first print issue. That’s something we’ll never take for granted. So take your time with this one. Read the stories. Discover somebody new. Find inspiration. Circle back to the pages that speak to you. And when you finish, pass it along. Give it to somebody with a dream. Put it in somebody’s hands who needs to be reminded that their idea matters. Because you never know what can happen when a dreamer realizes they’re not dreaming alone. Welcome to the FAYNC DREAMERS Edition. The first FAYNC Magazine print issue. And just the beginning.
Zairis TeJion Miles founder + editor in chief faync magazine
Photo courtesy of 05VISIONARY Charles McNeill @ohfive FAYNC MAGAZINE
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FAYNC MAGAZINE IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT More than a magazine, FAYNC MAG is a revolutionary media platform that uplifts the community change-makers within Fayetteville NC and beyond through the publishing of immersive and empowering multi-modal content.
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, communityfocused 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.
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HISTORY
FAYNC Magazine was founded September 9, 2020 by Zairis T. Miles.
SOCIAL @FAYNCMAG
CONTACT FAYNC Magazine fayncmag@gmail.com fayncmagazine.com 102 Person St. D Fayetteville, North Carolina
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To Dream Is To Imagine What The Future Could Be.
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Poem by LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens To dream is to imagine what the future could be. And when we dream about this city,
we see where the dream fought its way out of imagination and became something tangible. We see the dream of the Magnificent Seven, who founded the Howard School to establish education for the Black population and watched that become an HBCU where you can experience Black excellence. And when you hear NOHOE, you don’t think of anyone negatively. You think of the Number One Homecoming on Earth. You see the dream of a man who took poetry on his back in 1993 and made this city become the home of the longest-running open mic in the state. And he’ll tell you that if no one will ever listen to you, then the page will. We see the dream of an area that was told Black people never want to work on anything but complaining. But in 2022, Fayetteville was ranked #1 in the country for having the highest percentage of Black-owned businesses. Truth be told, we showed them better than we can tell them that we put the money where our mouths were… on success. We see the dream and a dollar become a voice from being a sideline story to a born sinner, who may have taken an off season to fall off and come back even stronger as one of Hip-Hop’s biggest lyricists. You see, a dream is more than something you see in your sleep. It’s a vision that refuses to let you stay where you are. So don’t be afraid to dream bigger than your circumstances. Sometimes the dream is the first proof that you were meant for more. Dream on, Fayetteville. Dream on. ©2026 LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens
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THE DREAMERS WHO STAY Molly Arnold’s Long Bet on Downtown Fayetteville
After more than two decades in Downtown Fayetteville, Molly has learned that building a city is less about standing out than standing with it. Her philosophy is simple: stay involved, make room, and understand that nobody wins alone.
Molly Arnold,
Rude Awakening Coffee House, Owner Cursive, Owner Article by Christina Miles Photography by @zairistejionmiles, Zairis T. Miles
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There was a summer rainstorm. Molly and Bruce were at a Sunday on the Square event when the rain sent them looking for shelter beneath the entrance of Rude Awakening. Molly was frustrated by the empty and deteriorating buildings around downtown, complaining about what she was seeing and wondering why something wasn’t being done. Bruce asked her a simple question: “Why aren’t you doing something?” Molly did not have all the answers. She just knew she wanted something different for Downtown Fayetteville, and eventually realized that if she wanted to see it happen, she had to step into the work herself.
BEFORE THE PROOF
Molly deliberately chose Fayetteville as a young adult because she wanted to live in a city with a downtown it could be proud of. When she arrived in 1972, downtown was filled with shopping and restaurants, and people came there as a natural part of everyday life. She knew the big stores were probably not coming back, but that did not mean Downtown Fayetteville was finished. She believed the city deserved great things, even before there was proof that those things were coming.
More than two decades later, that decision has become a philosophy about what it means to truly commit to a place.
Why aren’t you
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doing something?
“We all like to say, ‘I wish someone would do something about this or that or the other’ instead of stepping up into the void.”
THE LAST PERSON STANDING DOESN’T WIN
MOLLY ARNOLD
“The last person standing does not win in this environment.”
Rather than wait for someone else to create the downtown she wanted, Molly decided to participate in building it.
STAYING CHANGES YOU
Staying somewhere for more than 20 years requires more than enthusiasm. For Molly, it has required patience. She describes herself as someone who naturally wants to act quickly, but her years downtown have taught her to understand how systems work and how decisions made at City Hall affect the people investing their money, time and energy in the district. She attends City Council meetings when she can, follows agendas and shares information with other business owners when it matters. Staying involved has taught her that no one builds a successful downtown alone.
For Molly, success downtown has never been an individual equation.
The health of one business is connected to the health of the businesses around it. A thriving storefront benefits from people wanting to come downtown in the first place, which means business owners have a responsibility to contribute beyond their own doors.
“This is about the collective. And you have to work at it and you have to give, and sometimes you give more than you get.” That philosophy has shaped how Molly sees both her own role and the changes happening around her.
PROGRESS WITHOUT ERASURE
Molly has watched Downtown Fayetteville change in ways that once seemed impossible. Sidewalk signs, outdoor tables and chairs, and other elements that now feel natural to downtown were not always welcomed or permitted. She values those changes because they make public spaces feel more inviting and alive. But progress, in her view, should come with perspective.
“If the new comes at the expense of losing the old, then I don’t feel like it’s progress. I feel like it’s replacement.” Molly wants new businesses, people and ideas to be celebrated without forgetting who was already here. That perspective is connected to Fayetteville’s complicated history as well as the diversity, acceptance and cultural expression that originally attracted her to the city.
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LOOK PAST HAY STREET
Molly’s vision for downtown does not stop at its most visible stretch. She believes Fayetteville cannot reach its full potential if investment and attention remain concentrated within only a few blocks. Her decision to invest on Franklin Street was intentional. Downtown has plenty of room to grow, but growth requires giving attention to areas that do not always receive the same spotlight.
“That’s not how we grow.” For Molly, expanding downtown means doing the harder work of thinking about how different streets, businesses and communities are affected by investment.
MAKE ROOM
One of the clearest expressions of Molly’s philosophy is the space she has created for other people to pursue their own ideas.
“I created a space there for people to rent and start their dream.” Molly has intentionally kept rents reasonable and offered one-year leases, giving small businesses an opportunity to test an idea without feeling as though one unsuccessful year could cost them everything. One tenant has been there for 15 years, and Molly says she has never raised that tenant’s rent. She calls what she has created a “really tiny incubator.” She has focused particularly on creating opportunities for retail businesses, which she believes are often overlooked. The businesses that have grown from the space have been, in her words, overwhelmingly awesome.
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The philosophy is simple: if you have found a way to make room for yourself, find a way to make room for someone else, too.
“You’ll immediately find neighbors that want you to succeed.”
WHAT YOU MISS WHEN YOU LEAVE
She describes downtown as having a big cheerleading squad. Neighbors understand the challenges of running a business and are willing to offer advice because they have been through it themselves. For the next generation of entrepreneurs, she sees an opportunity to invest beyond their own storefronts and become part of something larger.
But when she thinks about what she would miss if she left, her answer is not simply her own businesses. She would miss looking out front and seeing what has grown around her. She would miss the people and businesses that have become part of downtown’s landscape, as well as those, like Diane’s Vintage Market, whose absence changed it.
Some places spend years trying to build that kind of community and never quite manage it. Fayetteville already has it.
The investment is not only in a building or business. It is in the relationships and history that accumulate when people remain long enough to see a place change.
SHOW UP. GET INVOLVED. MAKE ROOM. STAY.
For all of Molly’s commitment to downtown, she is realistic about what it takes to stay. At this point in her life, maintaining the work can be a lot.
TO THE ONES COMING NEXT
Molly believes there is something special about starting a business downtown right now, not because it is easy or success is guaranteed, but because there is already a community of people who understand what it takes.
“You just need to step in and show up.”
Molly’s story is not really about one business, one storefront or one stretch of downtown. It is about believing in a place before the evidence arrives, understanding that progress does not have to erase what came before it, and recognizing that success means more when there is room for someone else to succeed, too. Fayetteville is still becoming. New people, businesses and ideas will continue to arrive, just as others will eventually move on. Molly’s philosophy offers a simple challenge for anyone who wants to be part of what comes next: Show up. Get involved. Make room. Stay.
Contact Molly Arnold
Rude Awakening Coffee House, Owner Cursive, Owner @rudeawakeningcoffeehouse
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Photography by @ohfivev, Charles McNeill
william prize I’m Fayetteville’s own ... William Prize, hip-hop recording artist. I’ve been seriously pursuing my music career for what will be 10 years in December. I got started after exiting the military in 2016, out of the need to turn a depressive mind state to that of a champion, a winner. I’m learning now that my own alchemy was forged through my creative pursuits. I aim to empower, inform, but also make a cool vibe. Being unique and versatile, are two of the main drivers when I pick up then pen!
jericho the kingsmith I grew up in Fayetteville and Spring Lake. Bouncing from house to house, I was a witness to everything from homelessness, to drugs, to gunfights. Along the way, I wrote rhymes to express the thoughts that I couldn’t control in life. Now I take the talent God gave me through struggle, writing every verse with a brighter future for my family and my people in mind. My heart is in my pen because its all I’ve got to my name, after the wars that I survived.
ZAIRIS TEJION I’m Zairis TéJion, The Villest a Fayetteville, NC, based DJ, Producer, Artist, Army Veteran, and Creative Director. My work lives at the intersection of music, culture, and community. Drawing from hip-hop, soul, jazz, and Southern influences, I create music and experiences rooted in authenticity, groove, and storytelling. I believe that music should not only be heard but experienced. With over a decade behind the decks and a growing body of work as a recording artist, I’ve established myself as a multidisciplinary creative voice representing the 910. Through my music, DJ sets, and SndSoul platform, I continue to create spaces where sound and culture connect.
Whoa Swazzey Everybody is a music lover. Not everyone can curate. Not everyone knows how to share. Thats what makes curating an experience with me fun and with a bounce. As a founding member of the EDM group Bounce and Flow here in Fayetteville, I wanna bring differant takes on classics we all know. Can’t wait to show everyone the power of a good vibe.
MALCOLM CHESTER I’m Malcolm Chester AKA Malcolm Angelo. My music as a solo artist is always used as a place to explore new ideas, thoughts and questions. Every now and then I do lean into finding ways to sneak witty lines in the mix as well. Music has always been like a canvas for my internal dialogue so in a way it’s like a journal. Growing up in Fayetteville, NC introduced me to an environment that fostered that curiosity in a number of ways. Constantly questioning and searching for answers in the world. I continue to shape my music by my interactions and what I reflect in myself. Hopefully my story can make a difference in someone else’s.
dj candy I am DJ Candy, a versatile DJ and music curator passionate about creating unforgettable experiences through music. My sound blends R&B, Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, Kompa, and other global influences to bring people together on and off the dance floor. Music has always been more than entertainment to me it has been a source of healing, empowerment, and connection throughout my life. I draw inspiration from culture, real-life experiences, and the way music can unite people from all walks of life. Every set I play is an opportunity to create a vibe, tell a story, and leave people with a memory they’ll never forget. My journey has been shaped by resilience, growth, and a determination to pursue my dreams. Through DJing, I hope to inspire others, spread positive energy, and continue building a career that allows me to connect with audiences around the world.
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PME Yooo!! My name is Johnathan Brown AKA PME. I’m a music producer hailing out of Fayetteville, NC. I combine my love of video games, hip-hop, and R&B to create music filled with dope melodies and hard hitting drums! My combination of influences is what makes my music different from anything you’ve heard coming outta the Ville! COME ROCK WITH THE KID!!
A.G.A.M.E My name is Ashley Williams my stage name is A.G.A.M.E ACHIEVING GOALS AROUND MY ENEMIES. I’m from Fayetteville, NC. This city inspired my music and becoming a single mother of 7 facing adversaries and obstacles I kept pushing forward in the fighting spirit of Fayetteville. I started music for my children to have when I leave and turns out my story is a lot of other people’s story as well. I truly wish to continue to uplift encourage and motivate others to be themselves. I call my fans achievers. I represent the achievers worldwide.
YEA I am a female artist based out of the Carolina’s. My story is being the runt out of the litter and my goal is to inspire others and music is my tool.
militia2six Hailing from the heart of Fayetteville, NC, our vibrant and genre-defying band, “Militia2Six,” is making waves in the punk/hardcore scene. Shattering musical boundaries with our explosive fusion of sounds, we have brought together a cadre of members from diverse cultural and background strata. The result is a unique, energetic blend that takes the raw passion of punk, the visceral intensity of hardcore, and mixes it with a smattering of other influences, creating a sound that is utterly our own.
MAC DABLACKSHEEP I am a North Carolina hip-hop artist known for authentic storytelling, lyrical precision, and a relentless drive to be one of the greatest to ever touch a microphone. Born and raised in NC, my music has always been rooted in real-life experiences—overcoming adversity, chasing purpose, and staying true to myself no matter the obstacles. Inspired by life, ambition, and the journey of turning dreams into reality, I create music that blends hard-hitting bars with honesty, emotion, and timeless messages. Every song reflects the belief that your story is your power, encouraging listeners to embrace their truth, out work the competition, and never settle for less than greatness. Whether delivering introspective records or anthems built for the masses, I represent resilience, authenticity, and the mindset of a true underdog determined to leave a lasting legacy. I am MAC DaBlacksheep.
dj dont come ugly My name is Shakira Patterson, born and raised in Fayetteville NC. I never imagined becoming a DJ but friends who became family noticed my taste in various genres of music and decided to invest in me and all my equipment. I’ve been DJing officially for over a year now and it’s been exhilarating. I’ve also been running one of the most prominent media platforms out of Fayetteville, Views From The Ville. You can check that out on your own time if you’re not familiar already.
THE VILLE THE SMALL CITY WITH
BIG DREAMS Written by Tracey Morrison Illustrations by
@chrisitinanmiles based on original photography
Credited by Tracey Morrison - Fayetteville native and fellow NCAT alum, Craig Stokes attends Ruler Day (2021) (One of the first Fayetteville dreamers I’ve witnessed before J. Cole’s stardom)
Fayetteville proves that a city can be small in population but big in talent, ambition, and dreams. I remember seeing a glitch of the “Two-Six Dream” after meeting Fayetteville native, Craig Stokes, during my college days at North Carolina A&T State University. At the time, he served as the president of "Fayetteville Area Aggies on the Move," a social group of which I was a member. I recognized a "dream big" vision in him from the start and watched him execute that vision, including hosting a fashion show called Style Minute: 60 w/ Craig Stokes and becoming a Chick-fil-A franchise owner in the greater Los Angeles area.
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Additionally, I also remember interviewing Fayetteville native and fellow NC A&T alum, James Woodert, in 2005 for the Greensboro-based Our World Our View digital magazine (now defunct). During our conversation, I remember a statement that stayed with me: “There’s a lot of talented people from Fayetteville.” At the time, I heard him out, but in my mind, I was thinking, “Where is the talent?” Years later, I understood what he meant as I became more ingrained in the Fayetteville community. Woodert (stage name: James Poet) is now the lead singer for a Washington D.C. band called, The Future Band. My career and community involvement allowed me to connect with dreamers and visionaries. I was able to attend many events and expose myself more to the culture to witness the talent firsthand. I developed a greater appreciation for its culture and the people, in general, who make Fayetteville what it is.
Credited by Tracey Morrison - J. Cole mural
Fayetteville is a special combination of hometown culture, military transplants, long-time residents, and newcomers who have chosen to make it their home and help it grow. Some well-known talent, like J. Cole, was raised in the “Two-Six,” left the city to pursue their dreams elsewhere, but still carried that dream in his heart. Even while touring and making hit songs in the hip-hop industry, he carries that Fayetteville dream, which became a part of his identity with his Dreamville Records, Dreamville Festival, and so forth. For me, Fayetteville became the foundation of my corporate career and dreams. I was surrounded by dreamers - some whose dreams went beyond the city limit, some who had dreams but needed the motivation to act on them. Even some, who had dreams but didn’t realize their potential. I became embedded in the Dreamville culture, and over time, I watched some of my dreams begin to turn into reality. As a writer, Fayetteville embraced me wholeheartedly, helping me develop my writing voice as a guest writer for The Fayetteville Observer, Up & Coming Weekly, and Greater Diversity News, which serve the Wilmington and Fayetteville areas. Through time, the city became a launching pad that allowed me to believe in myself, write about their voices, and take my dreams further as an independent journalist and news site owner of The Exclusive Press. That foundation allowed me to reach larger markets like Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to interview others, including celebrities, who are making an impact in their respected field. Credited by the City of Fayetteville - Tracey attends the City of Fayetteville Citizens Academy - 2020
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Credited by The Food Network - Fayetteville native and celebrity chef, Christopher Dodson
The Dream also inspires others to move on that drive. Fayetteville native and celebrity chef, Christopher Dodson, for instance, shared with the author how J. Cole’s mixtapes inspired him to go hard. Dodson told the writer that by showcasing his work at three world-renowned restaurants in the culinary industry, he created an opportunity that led him to work as a Sous Chef for The Alinea Group, which operates as a Michelin star restaurant in Chicago. He has since built recognition in the culinary industry, including
appearances on Food Network shows such as 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Beat Bobby Flay, and even winning the grand prize on Chopped. This city is great because it lets you dream and act on it. Fayetteville may not have the population of Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, or Washington, D.C., but its talent doesn’t have to be confined by its size. Fayetteville is that kind of city. If you have a dream and a drive, you can push the envelope further.
ABOUT THE GUEST WRITER: Tracey Morrison is established journalist and media entrepreneur for the digital news site, The Exclusive Press. Morrison hails from Raeford, NC and is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University. Her work includes covering inspiring stories in the Fayetteville community and beyond, the HBCU Culture, intriguing opinion stories, current events, politics, North Carolina culture news, and celebrities news. She also covers red carpets for the International Black Theatre Festival, BET’s HBCU honors, Living Legends Gala, and the Soulful Super Bowl Celebration. She had also interviewed a range of influential and media figures such as David Banner, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Grammy-Winning Bluegrass Band - Steep Canyon Rangers, Anthony Hamiliton, Grammy-Award Winning Gospel Artist, Jonathan McReynolds, Queens of Comedy Legend - Adele Givens, Lance Gross, Anthony Hamilton, Yung Joc, and Jotaka Eaddy, the founder of Win With Black Women. Some of her articles are featured in the Fayetteville Observer, Up & Coming Weekly, and Greater Diversity News.
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Credited by Tracey Morrison - J. Cole mural
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THE QUEZTION EFFECT Video Interview
"My favorite line is ‘keep being you,’ that’s number one. If you think about it, if it came to your mind it’s possible. Don’t let nobody ever tell you that you can’t do it. Don’t ever let nobody tell you– especially if they’re not in that field, they will never understand." QUEZTION
Livestreamer & Designer
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Photography and Videography by @zairistejionmiles, Zairis T. Miles
Click to watch the FMtv interview
Contact Queztion Live
@queztion1 @queztionlive @queztion FAYNC MAGAZINE
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CARRYING THE TORCH
On Street Culture, Creative Community, and Why Staying In Fayetteville Matters
Collyn Strother,
Croo Studios, Founder Graphic Designer & Creative Director Article by Zairis T. Miles Photography by @zairistejionmiles, Zairis T. Miles
For many artists, Fayetteville can feel like both a starting point and a crossroads. The city has always produced talent, but for years, leaving was often viewed as the natural next step for anyone serious about building a creative career. For one Fayetteville creative, that idea became the very reason to stay.
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Working across photography, graphic design, street art, curation, and creative entrepreneurship, his practice is rooted in something deeply familiar: the streets, the people, and the stories that often exist outside the spotlight.
“I would describe my work as street art from the perspective of graphic design and photography. Everything is about street culture and telling the story of people who may be underserved, especially within the Black and brown community.” COLLYN STROTHER His work is intentionally raw. There is an organic quality to the images, textures, and environments he captures, a visual language that favors the gritty over the polished and the authentic over the manufactured.
Raleigh, Atlanta, and beyond offered creative ecosystems that seemed more established. But instead of seeing that pattern as proof that Fayetteville couldn’t support creatives, he began to see it as an opportunity. Someone had to stay. He remembers hearing Fayetteville creative Kathy Jensen speak about how difficult it is to keep talented people in the city. The sentiment stayed with him. Because when everyone leaves, there is no one left to carry the torch.
“I feel like there are opportunities here because everybody leave and when everybody leaves, there’s no one here to carry the torch.”
“I’ve never been a super-clean artist,” he says. “I love making things look grungy, street, and urban.” That aesthetic is more than a creative choice. It reflects the world that shaped him. His journey into art and entrepreneurship was built through hustle, survival, hard work, and faith. Every accomplishment became another reminder that there was value in continuing to push forward, even when the path wasn’t clearly defined. “I come from a place of hustle, survival, and hard work,” he says. “Everything I’ve accomplished so far has been through being super hardworking and hella blessed.”
STAYING WHEN OTHERS LEAVE
Fayetteville’s creative story is complicated by a familiar pattern: talented people leave. Growing up, he watched creators with vision, talent, and work ethic eventually move elsewhere in search of bigger opportunities. In many ways, it made sense. Cities like Charlotte, FAYNC MAGAZINE
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Business owners need communities. Artists need audiences. Creatives need spaces. Organizations need people. People need experiences. It’s all connected. “You can go out and do your own thing,” he says, “but you just can’t be mad when people don’t come back to you.” That belief changes the conversation around community investment. It’s not about obligation. It’s about recognizing the bigger picture. If you’ve built something, bring people into it. If you’ve learned something, teach it. If you have a platform, create room. If you have a business, make your community feel included. Not because you own anyone’s success but because a thriving creative ecosystem benefits everyone.
BUILDING THE CREATIVE HOME
Five or ten years from now, he wants Fayetteville to feel different. Not necessarily because everyone suddenly became successful, but because the city became a place where creatives could actually find one another, collaborate, learn, and build.
He wants Fayetteville to become a creative home. A place where people don’t simply attend events, they connect at them. Where a DJ set can lead to a conversation about a new project. Where a workshop can introduce someone to a skill that changes their career. Where artists can sit down over a drink and start planning what they’re going to create together next. He has experienced that kind of ecosystem elsewhere, particularly in Charlotte, where creative mixers and networking spaces have given him a glimpse of what Fayetteville could become. “I go there and they’re talking about how we can do better at doing this and that,” he recalls. “And I’m like, yo, we haven’t even started that here.” Now, he wants to help start it. FAYNC MAGAZINE
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For him, staying isn’t about pretending Fayetteville has everything figured out. It’s about helping build what isn’t here yet. The next generation shouldn’t have to start from zero. There should be people they can learn from. Spaces where they can experiment. Creatives they can collaborate with. Business owners willing to open doors. Mentors who understand the mistakes that come with figuring it all out alone.That is part of the responsibility he has chosen for himself.
COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION
A creative scene doesn’t automatically become a creative community.Artists can exist in the same city, attend the same events, and even know one another without actually building anything together. The difference, he believes, comes down to one word: camaraderie.
“The key to a community is camaraderie and not competition.” Fayetteville’s creative community is still growing. There are pockets of artists, musicians, photographers, designers, entrepreneurs, and cultural organizers doing meaningful work. But those pockets haven’t always been connected. He sees that changing.
“What’s rising now in the mix of what we’re doing is camaraderie. We have community. We’re starting to build community.”
Like any community, there are cycles. Creative scenes experience highs and lows. When resources become scarce, people can slip into survival mode. Competition replaces collaboration. Individual success begins to feel more important than collective progress. But those moments can also become turning points. The way forward, he believes, is through dependence—not in the sense of waiting for someone else to save you, but understanding that no one builds an ecosystem alone. Working together. Learning from one another Appreciating each other’s work. Showing up. That is how a scene becomes a community. And that community becomes an ecosystem.
NO ONE PERSON IS YOUR SAVIOR
When asked about the responsibility of creators, business owners, and community spaces to create opportunities for the next generation, his answer isn’t what you might expect. He doesn’t believe anyone is obligated to save anybody. Instead, he believes in personal responsibility and voluntary investment. “You’re not your savior,” he says, referencing an idea often echoed in Kendrick Lamar’s music and philosophy. “I never put the weight on somebody else to do anything.” For him, nobody owes you a career, an opportunity, or a seat at the table. But if you have the ability to contribute, why wouldn’t you?
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FROM PLAYER TO COACH
Perhaps the most important part of his vision isn’t what he wants to accomplish for himself. It’s what he wants to pass down. He talks about working with younger creatives and intentionally giving them the information he had to learn the hard way. When someone shows up hungry, willing to work, and willing to learn, he wants to share the game. Not because he has all the answers but because someone once had to figure it out without the answers.
“If I learned something that nobody showed me, I want to give them that free game so they don’t have to go through those hiccups.” That philosophy is already shaping the way he works. The workshops. The creative collaborations. The community events. The mentorship. It’s all part of a larger transition. In sports, players eventually become coaches. He sees the same evolution happening in his creative life. “When players are done playing, they start coaching,” he says. “That’s what I’m trying to do for the creative stuff.” The goal isn’t simply to have his name remembered. He wants to be remembered as someone who did what he was supposed to do during his season—someone who showed up, worked hard, contributed, and left something behind. Someone who carried the torch. And, more importantly, someone who handed it to the next person.
THE FUTURE IS COLLECTIVE
The future of Fayetteville’s creative community won’t be built by one artist, one organization, or one business. It will be built through accumulation. One workshop. One exhibition. One DJ set. One photograph. One collaboration. One conversation. One person deciding to stay. One person deciding to teach. One person deciding that someone else’s success doesn’t diminish their own. That’s the Fayetteville he wants to see. A city where today’s creatives become tomorrow’s OGs.
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Where the people currently building the scene eventually become the mentors, curators, organizers, and cultural leaders guiding the next generation. And where the question isn’t “How do I get out?” It’s “What can we build here?”
Because sometimes carrying the torch isn’t about being the brightest light in the room. Sometimes it’s simply about making sure the light doesn’t go out.
Contact Collyn Strother Croo Studios
@croostudios www.croodesigns.com/studio
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| ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Black Women Are More than Inspiration and
ONIKIA MOORE is reclaiming their value through art.
“It’s ‘ghetto’ when we do it, but celebrated when they do it.” - Moore
This October, Black Artist Forward is proud to present, in partnership with Region Six Project Gallery, Onikia Moore’s solo exhibition, The Vision Board, opening October 2 at 100 Hay Street in Downtown Fayetteville. From “boxer braids” to “cloud bobs,” Black women often find themselves emulated in popular culture while still being criticized for the very things others celebrate. “It’s ghetto when we do it, but it’s celebrated when they do it,” says Moore. Black women are often looked down upon for long nails, expressive hairstyles, and bold fashion, only to see those same ideas rebranded and celebrated when adopted by others. The same contradiction exists in professional spaces, where Black women pave the way, create meaningful impact, and influence culture without always receiving the recognition they deserve.
“I want to give them their flowers,” Moore says. “I’ve selected Black women who have inspired me to feature in this exhibit so that people know their names too.” The Vision Board asks us to celebrate the beauty and culture that inspires the world while recognizing where it comes from. Join us for the opening at Region Six Project Gallery on October 2 at 6 p.m. You can also experience Black Artist Forward’s 26:26 Exhibit at Concourse 107, 116 Hay Street, through October 24. Want to be part of what we’re building? Visit Black Artist Forward online to become a member, support our work, and learn more.
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ARTIST PROFILE:
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K. CHESTERR Interview with Anthony Jones, Videographer & Host of Put Me On Game Podcast Photography by
@zairistejionmiles, Zairis T. Miles
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For someone who may be discovering you and Put Me On Game for the first time, who is Chester, and what inspired you to create the podcast? The inspiration comes from early days of The Breakfast Club, Joe Budden, even Jane Dough Foxy 99 run in the city. Seeing these legends cover artists and people of all walks of life being amazed at the conversations they were having and how they can grasp the audience with their voice. I would spend hours watching interviews after school when normal kids were playing 2K or watching their favorite shows. At a certain pont with anything you study for 10,000 hours you see some people call it in reading questions off a screen or note card, which I felt took away from the experience. It’s fine for some it’s just a regular job for them, but the person I am instead of complaining about things I like to be part of the solution.
December 29th 2019 I decided hey, I can actually do this myself. I spent the entire night on YouTube searching every step that is needed for a podcast from audio gear, editing, the entire start to finish. In the process of this, the passion grew everyday past anything I’ve ever thought it could be, nothing in my life compared to it.
As for me, Chesterr is just a guy that loves where he’s from, wanting to make his community the best it possibly could be so when the torch is passed the next person can take it farther than I ever thought it could go.
“Put Me On Game” can mean a lot of things. What does that phrase mean to you, and what do you hope people gain from the conversations you create? Genuine conversation. I am a true fan/supporter of every person I have on the platform. I want everyone to walk away from any episode with a laugh and lesson learned to bring positivity into their life for the better. I’ve been blessed to come across so many different people. I’m not opposed to listening to anyone’s story no matter who they are because I can take something away from it good or bad.
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“I’ve always been the friend that dealt with things in life early before those around me from moving out, relationships, investments, etc. so naturally I’ve always put people on game so you don’t have to go through what I went through. Doing the podcast furthering that reach, I feel like I can talk to the world about my experience good and bad.” K. CHESTERR
“I’ve always seen my city with the talent and ability to compete with Charlotte, Raleigh, and Atlanta. We just don’t get the opportunities and resources they have because we’re always five years behind everyone. I grew up on Veanna Drive on the east side of town, I didn’t have the proper exposure to the world that most people were given, so even if it’s one thing someone tells me that’s helped them in their life it feels like 1,000 people told me.” –K. CHESTERR
You’ve had the opportunity to sit down with different people and hear their stories and perspectives. How have those conversations changed the way you see your community—or even yourself? It’s a constant reminder to never judge a book by its cover. Social media gives us a false image of what we think someone’s life could be, but once the curtain is pulled back it’s a completely different story. Really makes you appreciate things in your own life and Love Yourz more.
Independent podcasts and media platforms are creating spaces for people to tell their stories outside of traditional media. Why do you think having these spaces matters, especially in a city like Fayetteville? I feel creatives all have different ways of showing their talents. You can give three interviewers the same question to ask someone and each person can get a different response out of the person. It’s no wrong way of doing media and I think that’s the beauty of it because someone will gravitate to each person’s platform.
When you think about the future of Put Me On Game, what are you hoping to build, and what kind of impact do you want the platform to have on Fayetteville and beyond? Building the proper team so I can focus more on the creative side without the backend work. I learned from the greats that the only thing you can’t get back is time so hiring a full time production crew to do lighting, camera, and shorts for social media is needed so I can put my focus more on making the show great is what’s needed going forward. The goal is to have a network of shows under the PMOG/4Kreeate umbrella so even if you aren’t a strong fan of what one show is you can have other options.
Contact Anthony Jones - K. Chesterr Put Me On Game Podcast @putmeongame.pod @kchesterr putmeongamechesterr@gmail.com
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CREDITS +THANKS THANK YOU To Our FAYNC Family, Every issue we release starts with a vision, but it only becomes meaningful because of you. Thank you for reading, sharing, supporting, and believing in what we’re building through FAYNC Magazine. What began as an idea has grown into a platform that celebrates the people, stories, culture, and creativity that make our community special. Special thanks to our features and partners: Collyn Strother, LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens, Tracey Morrison, Molly Arnold, K. Chesterr, Queztion, Charles Mcneill, Velmatic Productions, FAYNC DREAMERS Music Artists and DJs, and the FAYNC DREAMERS Team: Al Bowman, Malcolm Chester, Johnathan PME Brown, Karena Atkinson, Isaiah Jones and Courtney Cheatham. As we release our Fall 2026 FAYNC DREAMERS Issue, we’re reminded that none of this happens alone. This magazine exists because of the artists, entrepreneurs, dreamers, change-makers, and supporters who continue to show up and pour into our city. Thank you for growing with us. Thank you for trusting us to tell these stories. Thank you for choosing community. The best is still ahead. With gratitude and love, Zairis TéJion Miles + Christina Miles FAYNC Magazine
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FAYNC MAGAZINE TEAM
Zairis TéJion Miles Founder + Editor In Chief Photography • Videography • Creative Direction FAYNC Magazine
Christina Miles Art Director + Admin Lead Graphic Design • Writing • Creative Direction FAYNC Magazine
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CONTENT LEAD
COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN LEAD
DREAM TEAM A team of local creative changemakers in FAYNC. ZAIRIS T.
CREATIVE CURATOR & PRODUCER
AL
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BOWMAN
MUSIC PRODUCTION & AUDIO LEAD
MALCOLM
JOHNATHAN PME
MEDIA TEAM LEAD
KARENA
ISAIAH
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CHRISTINA MILES
MUSIC ARTIST EXPERIENCE LEAD
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
ATKINSON
MILES
CHESTER
BROWN
MEDIA TEAM LEAD
JONES
COURTNEY
CHEATHAM
FROM THE VILLE, FOR THE DREAMERS
SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2026
A HOMETOWN EXPERIENCE IN THE VILLE POP-UPS • LIVE MUSIC • DJS • ART LOCAL BUSINESSES COMMUNITY • CITY EXPLORATION
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@FAYNCMAG
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