Creating opportunities for Black designers

cal designers. “I was definitely on board, and it was just amazing to see how many people were able to come and support and be able to talk about their accomplishment, their greatness and what they want to do for the future,” she said.

“I’ve always been one to think that bringing people together…for a greater cause was amazing,” Carter agreed. “Hearing about why she was doing it and where the event was being held, I just thought it was phenomenal that she wanted to put our voices out there and have our designers really be highlighted.

“I definitely think that my background, and just want- ing to see people understand Black artists, is a part of why I really wanted to join. It was a blessing that these designers decided to take a chance on us and see what could come from it,” Carter continued. “So that’s how we got into the mix of these designers. They’re all absolutely phenomenal, talented, knowledgeable, and they were able to really speak their truth and speak to their story in a way that I just thought was very moving and got to the point of where art connects us.” Participants in the exhibit expressed their appreciation not only as an opportunity to promote their brands or designs but ion event earlier this year was the agency’s first showcase, Lawson has been building a roster of talent, with her first model call garnering 200 applicants. The response from the community gave her the insight that there was a large void to be filled in the talent world. ted their work, but they couldn’t get opportunities because [agencies were] already representing someone who looked like them,” Lawson recalled.

“When you go on modeling agency websites, there’s nobody that really looks like us. They just have one Black of George Floyd created a moment where there was a lot of rhetoric about support for Black people, but little action to show it. Frustrated by this, she decided to kick things into gear and create an opportunity for local Black designers to have their work seen at a high level.

To do this, Lawson recruited two of her peers, Destiny Carter, who she had met through the military, and Muna Mohamed, who she met in college. All three were students at the University of Minnesota and had the desire to bring change to the fashion world. They worked closely together for several months leading up to the February event at the capital.

“I would hear conversations among models that they couldn’t get representation. They submit-

These

With Tax Day approaching, there’s no time like the present to get started on your 2022 returns and submit them well before the April 18 deadline.

This year, you have a few extra days to complete your taxes. With the typical deadline of April 15 falling on a weekend, followed by Emancipation Day on Monday, this year’s filing date is on Tuesday, April 18.

“Though there are a few extra days to file, make sure to still give yourself ample time to gather and organize your tax information to take advantage of any and all tax deductions, or other tax breaks that may apply to you and your family,” says Kelly Perez, Wealth Advisor for J.P. Morgan Private Bank. “Many key deductions that may reduce your tax bill or provide a refund are often left on the table due to lack of preparation. Whether you file on your own or work with a paid tax professional, the initial groundwork is the key to maximizing your benefits.”

Ready to submit or get started? Here are some tips to help simplify the process, maximize your potential refund or minimize your tax burden before you finalize your return.

• Get organized. Make sure you have important documents like last year’s return, current W-2s, 1099s and mortgage interest statements on hand. You’ll also want to gather receipts for tax-deductible pur- chases, travel, charitable contributions and other potential write-offs. You can look online to find checklists of documents you might need to help you file.

• Be aware of tax law changes. While taxes are inevitable, what you may owe or get refunded might not be. As you finalize or start your 2022 tax return, be aware of changes to federal, state and local tax laws that could affect your refund or how much you owe. For example, if you benefitted from the child tax credit, earned income tax credit or child and dependent care credit on your 2021 return, don’t be surprised if you get a smaller refund this year. Credits expanded as part of federal Covid relief packages have now returned to pre-pandemic levels.

• Are you working from home permanently? If you have a home-based business, you might qualify for a home office tax deduction. You can potentially write off expenses for a part of your home you only use for business purposes.

• To itemize or not to itemize. Determine whether you’ll itemize your expenses or take the standard deduction. If you think your qualified expenses will be more than the 2022 standard deduction ($12,950 for most singles and $25,900 for most married couples filing jointly), it might be worth it to itemize. Taking the standard deduction can make the filing process easier, but it could person or one Asian person. That’s not representation.”

Lawson said that the murder

For Mohamed, it was a chance to grow her sense of community while providing a platform for lo- mean you pay more in taxes or receive a smaller refund. ing prepaid

• Contribute to retirement accounts. You can fund a traditional or Roth IRA through the April 18, 2023, tax filing deadline and have it count for 2022. Traditional IRA contributions lower your tax bill right now, while your Roth IRA withdrawals are tax-free in retirement. You can contribute up to $6,000 to an IRA each year, or—if you were 50 years or older in 2022—up to $7,000 of your earned income.

• Seek help when you need it. If you have a more comprehensive tax return, it can be a good idea to work with a certified public accountant (CPA). If you need assistance in general, check if you qualify for free in-person or remote programs offered by the IRS or local organizations depending on your income, age and disability status.

Need more time? If you can’t file by April 18, you can fill out a Form 4868 that will extend ganized now will help make tax season easier this year and put you in better shape for years to come. For more tips to help you make the most of you and your family’s finances, visit J.P. Morgan’s U.S. Tax Center by scanning the code to the right or go to privatebank.jpmorgan. com/gl/en/insights/planning/ us-tax-center.