THE LAB MAGAZINE - Vol. 2-Winter 2022

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THE LAB MAGAZINE / WINTER 2022

The Lab is a professional home for creatives from around the DMV and beyond The magazine was created to tell their stories, and shine a light on our community and collective impact For more information, visit GatewayCDC org

PUBLISHER GATEWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

PAT THORNTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MICHELLE DARDEN-LEE

MANAGING EDITOR AYOKA BLANDFORD

EDITOR-AT-LARGE RHETT BUTLER

WRITER/COPYEDITOR AYOKA BLANDFORD

ART EDITOR MARIA FENTON

PROGRAM PARTNERS CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER

PRINCE GEORGE'S ARTS & HUMANITIES COUNCIL

CREATIVE EDGE COLLABORATIVE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - 5

Support for Gateway Artists

COVER STORY - 6

We had quite a year! Join us as we reflect

COVER STORY CONT. - 7

Special event at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

COVER STORY CONT. - 8

Designer Maria Fenton is stepping into a new role

COVER STORY CONT. - 9

Faith-based filmmaking is emerging.

COVER STORY CONT. - 10

Images from the Prince George's County Film Festival.

COVER STORY CONT. - 11

Networking with partners

COVER STORY CONT. - 12

Scenes from the Lab Gallery

MEET THE RESIDENT - 13

Rhett Butler is The Lab's newest resident but our partnership goes way back

ARIEL DAVIS AND AAC - 14

Ariel Davis is working to change the color of arts administration.

GATEWAY IS GLOBAL - 18

Get a sneak peak at our team members in Sierra Leone! Details to come in the next issue

During the past year, The Lab Magazine was launched Through this magazine we were able to chronicle milestones, share activities and spotlight businesses within the Arts District This act alone has broadened the landscape of opportunities for the artists who are featured, and most importantly, opened new opportunities for artists to collaborate with each other

From the featured article on Mignotae Kebeda’s premiere of My Brother’s Journey at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to the conversation with Arts Administrators Of Color’s Board Co-chair Ariel Davis, after reading this issue, you will be informed, entertained, enlightened and inspired Gateway CDC will continue to expand these opportunities If you like what you see, remember to support Gateway CDC, so we can continue to support Gateway Artists!

In Collaboration, Pat Thornton, Executive Director Gateway CDC

message from the executive director

TAKE A LOOK BACK AT SCENES FROM THE LAB COMMUNITY AS WE REMINISCE.

Mignotae Kebeda directed My Brother’s Journey in partnership with Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a DC based non-profit. It premiered July 9th at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Joining her on the project was team member Mansa Johnson.

er Maria Fenton is in the ufantasy debunking the myth nt to me that we draw on the ce this film, says Maria." She is e from the Lab community to produce the film.

and Pa mmit. Panel insiders included Howard ouble Cross"; Tressa Smallwood, Founder g ; , ucer and Director Jimmy Jenkins; Actor Faith Malonte; Kylie Olsen, of HBO's "We Own This City;" and Kellie Shanygne Williams, Producer and Actress in "Family Matters."

Scenes from Community Events

Scenes from the Lab Gallery

RHETT BUTLER RHETT BUTLER RHETT BUTLER

I plan to bring consultation services for creative businesses to the Lab community I also plan to produce my podcast PRITTY Left Hook in The Lab. The show is distributed by the Up On Game Network / FOX Sports / iHeartMedia.

Rhett Butler has been a fixture in the Mount Rainier community for years as a brand strategist, events host, and dessert artisan. Now Rhett has expanded on his partnership with the Gateway Media Arts Lab with an office space for his company RBACM, LLC.

RBACM, LLC is a creative branding company that curates projects in the sports entertainment industry, culinary and lifestyle space. Rooted in sophistication and luxury, RBACM, LLC prides itself on not only creating and managing brands but also helping other businesses along their journey with the R. Butler & Associates consulting + management brand. RBACM, LLC also manages the Jolie Gelato plant-based artisanal luxury iced dessert brand, Fight Services, a combat sports services provider, the PRITTY Left Hook podcast, and POLITIC, a Diasporadic leaning media outlet and subsequent lifestyle clothing brand CCCP.

A staunch advocate of the Gateway Arts District and the business community of the DMV at large, with an emphasis on Prince George's County, Rhett is happy to help the diverse expansion of business opportunities within Prince George's County and beyond.

ARIEL DAVIS

AND AND AND WHAT'S WHAT'S NEW FOR NEW FOR NEW FOR

ARTS ADMINISTRATORS OF COLOR

ARTS ADMINISTRATORS OF COLOR

ARTS ADMINISTRATORS OF COLOR

In 2016, Ariel Davis and former Howard classmate Quanice Floyd founded Arts Administrators of Color (AAC), a 501c3, to increase representation of People of the Global Majority as leaders and administrators in the arts. The grassroots effort, which started as a Facebook Group, evolved from hosting small gatherings (such as dinners and networking events) to national convenings, and activities that support artists and arts

leaders of the global majority. Ariel serves as the AAC board co-chair and is a member of the Arts Commission of Mt. Rainier. The LAB sat down with Davis to learn more.

What is an Arts Administrator?

Wow, great question... that answer is evolving. Karla, our executive director, speaks to this point so often, but I agree - so many arts administrators from the global majority are not only working within existing institutions, but they toggle between their artistic practice and administration. I personally think that administrators can even include online content creators because that requires an immense level of creativity - we are seeing graphic artists, dancers, musicians, and so many other artists using digital media to grow. I look forward to seeing how the term evolves, and how we define ourselves.

After receiving a $1 million grant from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, AAC hired it's first Executive Director, Karla Estela Rivera (above). Over 320 people applied.

Tell us about the recent annual convening.

On November 5, AAC had their first, in-person convening in three years. Held at the Eaton in DC, this year’s programming was scaled down to provide artists more time to network, engage and meet. We understand that many conversations and deals happen when people are having a conversation or having a drink at the bar.

We were excited to have Kendall Isadore as the keynote speaker! She is a violinist, educator, singer, songwriter and pianist and onethird of The String Queens.

Another highlight was a Fireside Chat with founder Quanice Floyd and the new executive director, Karla Estela Rivera for a discussion about representation in the arts and the future of AAC.

The Convening is like our family reunion. Everyone is a distant cousin who we haven’t seen in years and we catch up; it isn’t like an ordinary convening.

What is your philosophy on partnership?

Partnership is crucial for AAC. We are a volunteer based organization and we’ve bartered in the past and we've grown due to the generosity of people's time and talents as well as the community. Collaborations are key. Speaking of collaborations, the Cousin’s Regime is a group of like-minded organizations that have forged a partnership with AAC. We ae looking toward Gateway becoming a cousin.

If there is someone at a point in their career who wants to go “behind the curtain” to shake things up or wants a seat at the table, I want them to see AAC as a resource and a community.

Learn more at aacnetwork.org

Glimpses of the Gateway in

Sierra Leone

The DMV League of Artists supported Gateway partner, Empress J Entertainment, sending a team to the AfriCaribbean Music Festival.

Stay tuned for full coverage in the next issue.