DECEMBER 2021
Official Publication of the Gateway Media Arts Lab
+ Sherri Roberts Lumpkin Brings The Ragbaby Exchange To The Phillips Collection + Keiona Clark and the DMV League of Artists Muralize Mount Rainier + Meet The LAB Residents Series
Download the App
Vol. 01
THE LAB MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2021
ENIZAGAM
The Gateway Media Arts Lab is dedicated to interactive storytelling and home to creative media professionals located in the Gateway Arts District of Prince George's County, MD
PUBLISHER GATEWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. PAT THORNTON, EXEC DIR
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF MICHELLE DARDEN-LEE RHETT BUTLER
MANAGING EDITOR RHETT BUTLER
PROGRAM PARTNERS CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER
PRINCE GEORGE'S ARTS & HUMANITIES COUNCIL
CREATIVE EDGE COLLABORATIVE
SPONSORED BY:
Gateway Community Development Corporation 4102 Webster Street, North Brentwood, MD 20722 301-864-3860
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT GATEWAY MEDIA ARTS LAB -5 The Creative Incubator of the Gateway Arts District
About Michelle Darden Lee of the Gateway Media Arts Lab
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR -7
COVER STORY PREVIEW -8
The Gateway is an inspiration and beacon for all artist’s heeding it’s call -RHETT BUTLER
Sherri Roberts Lumpkin created the Ragbaby Exchange to foster selflove
MEET THE RESIDENTS -9
RAGBABY EXCHANGE SEWS UNIQUE CREATIVE TRAIL -26
The Creatives and Businesses that power The Lab. Mignotae Kebede, Mansa Johnson, BELLA, Brian Burns, Jerell Brown, Andy DelGiudice, and Sholape Oriola
MURAL UNVEILING -32 The City of Mount Rainier and the DMV League of Artists create magic at the Penske Truck Rental property
THE LAB | 04
MEET THE DIRECTOR -6
Sherri Roberts Lumpkin heals communities through the craft of dollmaking
e h T s ‘ t Wha Gateway The Gateway Media Arts Lab is a creative industries incubator and artist collaborative located in Mount Rainier, MD. With a focus on culture, community and the greater good, the Lab helps media arts professionals and other creative entrepreneurs expand their businesses and refine their artistic visions. We house over 30 creative enterprises. Their products and services facilitate transformation through storytelling, culture, art and design.
The Lab is a lead project of Gateway Community Development Corporation. Founded in 1997 Gateway CDC’s mission is to drive economic revitalization within the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District through the arts. Gateway CDC works within the towns of Brentwood, North Brentwood and Mt. Rainier. Our team works in collaboration with multiple partners to ensure the success of the entire Gateway Arts District and celebrate the diversity of arts and entertainment along a vibrant mixed-use two-mile corridor.
THE LAB | 05
MEET MICHELLE DARDEN LEE Michelle Darden-Lee has over 30 years of experience in small business and community development, marketing and communications. She has worked with Black Entertainment Television (BET), the Children's Defense Fund and the Democratic National Committee, among other well know entities. But what Michelle has grown to become most passionate about is her work with the artist community. As Program Director of the Gateway Media Arts Lab, Michelle has developed a hub that provides a growth platform for creative enterprises and fuels community and economic development for Prince George’s County and beyond. She has mentored over 30 Lab members, developed new revenue streams, created property ownership opportunities, and expanded business partnerships. “Michelle’s steady handed leadership has been an invaluable driving force for my business and has hastened my transition from part-time enthusiast to full-time earning creative arts professional,” says fashion designer Maria Fenton, CEO and Creative Director of House of Emma Effa. Keiona Clark, Founder of the DMV League of Artists adds, “the growth of the Lab community is due to the seeds that she has planted and watered. She has pushed me to accomplish goals that I didn’t know were possible. She is truly an asset--beyond the Media Arts Lab community.” Before her work with the Lab, Michelle was co-founder and Communications Director for Art Lives Here. The Prince George’s Gateway Arts District visibility campaign moved the neighborhood into the regional spotlight. The project brought attention to the more than 300 artists, funded numerous local art projects, and harnessed more than a half a million dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtPlace America and other regional funders. “It’s important to meet artists where they are, and then work to move the needle. It builds trust which in turn fuels healthy collaboration.” Michelle also adds, “I live in this community. My work in the Gateway Arts District, and especially at the Lab, has given me the opportunity to work with phenomenal creative professionals and committed community leaders. For that I’m grateful.”
meet the director THE LAB | 06
The Gateway Arts District. When you break down its definitions, it is abundantly clear why the beginning of Prince George's County's Route One corridor is called the Gateway. ”Any passage by or point at which a region may be entered." From the moment an artist finds the Gateway Arts District their evolution into normalcy begins. The corridor validates the existence of the county's
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
talented and its central meeting point is the Gateway Media Arts Lab. It is where ideas are born, massaged and mature. Where the creatives
Words: Rhett Butler
congregate and coalesce concepts into tangibles.
Styling: Malcolm Staples
It is also one of the places where I found myself as a creative entrepreneur. I struggled to find my bearings as an artist within Prince George's County, MD. The expansive county felt disconnected to me as a native New Yorker turned Prince George's transplant and I longed for a place to incubate and create. Luckily, I live in Mount Rainier, the heart of the artistic pulse of the county. After being invited by one of my neighbors to enter The Lab, I was greeted by a cavalcade of filmmakers, painters, fashion designers, projectionists, doll makers and so much more. Each, though seemingly different, we're the same. Talent filled vagabonds searching for a community. Searching for the validation of a peer group they knew existed but just not where to find them. The Lab solved that problem for us all and it has unleashed a maelstrom of creativity that has forever changed the dynamics of the Gateway Arts District. As a community it is our responsibility to tell our own stories and celebrate the progression of our creative endeavors. The Lab has residents and members who work diligently but as with the creative processes of most, can be siloed unintentionally. This birthed the concept of The Lab Magazine, a digital hub where the stories of our residents, members snd community efforts are disseminated and celebrated. Welcome to our premiere issue and come back early and often for the continuous updates of the creative community we service. We are the Gateway. We are the access point. We are the passageway to the county's creativity. We only have forever together.
THE LAB | 07
RAGBABY EXCHANGE
COVER STORY
SHERRI ROBERTS LUMPKIN Self-Love Advocacy, Doll-Making Studio, BIPOC Women and Children Representative Creating Self-Worth Through Craftsmanship.
CONITUNED ON PAGE 26 THE LAB | 08
THE FILMMAKER MIGNOTAE KEBEDE Director, What Happened 2 Chocolate City
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES THE LAB | 09
THE LAB MAGAZINE
DIRECTOR
MIGNOTAE KEBEDE
A native Californian and graduate of The George Washington University (GWU), Mignotae Kebede is dedicated to exploring the intersections between creative expression and social change.
Meet The Residents Profile Series THE LAB | 10
After graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in International Affairs and Anthropology with a concentration in International Development, Mignotae served as the Development Manager at Life Pieces To Masterpieces (LPTM) in Northeast, Washington, D.C. It was through her work at LPTM, an organization serving African American boys and young men east of the Anacostia River, that she developed the concept for the forthcoming feature film What Happened 2 Chocolate City. Mignotae conducted ethnographic research on the evolution of the district and its relations with native Black Washingtonians through an intergenerational lens.
THE LAB | 11
It is at the very intersection of creative expression and social change that Mignotae brought to life her findings and explorative journey using film and varying mediums of visual and fine arts. Mignotae has since written, produced and directed the feature length documentary What Happened 2 Chocolate City, landing regional and national coverage, including PBS’ docu-series “No Passport Required”. Mignotae continues to write, produce and direct both short and long form video projects.
”Lineage is so important in any community, especially in Black communities.” MIGNOTAE KEBEDE, MEDIUM
THE DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
MANSA JOHNSON DP, What Happened 2 Chocolate City
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES THE LAB | 12
if this lens could talk...
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
MANSA JOHNSON Mansa Johnson Director of Photography Originally Washington, DC, Mansa Johnson began his film and video production journey in 2010 while attending Morgan State University with his twin brother, Kwasi Johnson. Mansa found his passion in production after Kwasi encouraged him to change his general studies major to TV and Video Production. He was formerly introduced to film by a former classmate, Iyore Odighizuwa, on a documentary called, Akata. THE LAB | 13
He has since gone on to serve as a cinematographer for projects with the NBA and Washington Wizards, for artists including Jazmine Sullivan, Akon, and Common, as well as for companies such as Radio One digital content, Nexstar News, and The Grammy's Recording Academy, Washington, D.C. Chapter.
His work has been shown on popular platforms such as NPR's Tiny Desk, HBO Max, and Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. He's shot at events such as the BET Awards and NFL Super Bowl LV as well. Mansa has earned an Emmy- nomination for a project with Monumental Sports called Sideline Stories and won a Telly Award for a project called "Faithful 2 the Grind" with 2017 NBA #1 Draft pick Markelle Fultz. Mansa is currently the Director of Photography for the feature documentary "What Happened 2 Chocolate City". Mansa's mantra, "People form habits and habits form futures," are stolen words from his father that he believes will continue to allow him to better his craft while keeping GOD, his family, and his community close. THE LAB | 14
FEATURED STORIES | 43
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES
THE DESIGNER
BELLA
THE LAB | 15
THE LAB | 16
THE LAB | 17
NOMADIC | 24
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
ANDY DELGIUDICE
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES
Andy DelGiudice is a professional portrait and headshot photographer that serves the Washington, D.C. region. He loves to collaborate with makers and artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. “A camera is a perfect entry point into so many worlds. I’ve spent years learning, collaborating, brainstorming, testing, photographing, and editing. My passion projects open doors to organizations and experiences that myself and the viewer might not normally have as close of access to.” - Andy TO SEE ANDY's 'WORK TURN THE PAGE
THE LAB | 18
THE LAB | 19
CREATIVE. BRANDING. CONSULTANCY.
MEMBER GATEWAY MEDIA ARTS LAB MOUNT RAINIER, MD
"Facilitator of the Finish" -RHETT BUTLER
www.rbutlerassoc.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR SHOLAPE ORIOLA Independent Producer, Monumental Sports
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES
THE LAB | 21
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SHOLAPE ORIOLA
In 2018, Sholape Oriola was granted his first documentary series for a Media Network for Monumentalsportsnetwork.com for the Capital City Go-Go the Washington Wizards inaugural minor league basketball team "Inside Out."
Sholape Oriola is a Creative Director who has a
Sholape also served as a Director for an Emmy-
passion for film and humanity. Sholape finds
nominated project with Monumental Sports
his love for the film industry while attending
called Sideline Stories. Since then, Mr. Oriola
Morgan State University, where he transitioned
has produced many independent projects.
from an athlete to a student of film and production. In 2012 Mr. Oriola started creating
As Producer for Monumental Sports network,
short documentaries on people with the vision
Sholape has been on several Productions with
to impact people's lives through the power of
different responsibilities working on many
cinema.
productions. Such as promotional videos, commercials, recap videos, social videos, and
In 2015 after spending three years as a middle
documentaries. Sholape produced a season-
school teacher in T.V. Productions. Sholape
long documentary series on the Capital City
moved to New York, where he worked on the
Go-Go Inside Out.
Emmy award-winning series "All Access" Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Andre Berto, and "All Access" Daniel Jacobs vs. Peter Quillin. Both series won Emmy awards.
THE LAB | 22
Brian Burns is the Founder of BCE LLC aka “Be Creative” a production company in Prince George's County, MD . He is also a partner & Director of Community Affairs of Levl Studios based in ATL & LA. Currently, the company provides media production consults to clients and video production services. His role and “give back” to the Lab is being a “feeder” to the 3311 partners in the Gateway Arts District in Mount Rainer, MD.
THE PRODUCER
BRIAN BURNS
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES
THE LAB | 23
THE LAB | 24
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JERELL BROWN JERELL BROWN That’s a Plug Media, LLC is a media company that is reshaping the way youth and young adults view content online. The company covers socially conscious events happening in the District and its surrounding area and also hosts events to promote non-violence, community-building, and entrepreneurship. After getting a taste of event curation Mr. Brown formed Thats A Plug, Inc., a non profit centered around these community events. In 2019 We had the opportunity to raise money to donate 300 turkeys to our community and enlighten our people with an amazing event, 2019 Turkey Summit featuring 10 Black owned business pop up vendors THE LAB | 25
RAGBABY EXCHANGE AND THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Lab Resident Sherri Roberts Lumpkin Is The First Artist In The Phillips Collection Partnership. The Lab has partnered with The Phillips Collection to provide yet another outlet to display the creative abilities of The Lab’s 30 enterprises with a passion for design and innovation.
WWW.RAGBABYEXCHANGE.COM
THE LAB | 26
THE LAB | 27
Bringing the Noise Bringing the Ragbaby Funk SHERRI ROBERTS LUMPKIN IS A FREEDOM FIGHTER OF THE DOLL-MAKER'S ILK Lumpkin’s desire to “bring out the inner beauty and selfworth” in others led her to develop the Ragbaby Exchange (RBE), a non-profit organization and the Your Inner Doll Workshop THE LAB | 28
in 2008.
The Dollhouse WHEN CRAFTING BECOMES THERAPY
The Ragbaby Exchange (RBE) is a nonprofit organization that uses a therapeutic approach to inspire participants to embrace self-love with self-affirmation. Participants create a doll in their image from their soul outward, releasing negative self-talk and replacing it with positive affirmation and love notes. Both media and film often depict Black and Brown people negatively, which can contribute to their feelings of unworthiness and lack of self-love. RBE is committed to counteracting the impact caused by exposure to such negative and limiting media narratives. THE LAB | 29
Sherri Roberts Lumpkin
After finding that a lack of self-esteem was so prevalent, particularly in women and children, Lumpkin founded the Ragbaby Exchange.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This became the platform to help
Ms. Roberts-Lumpkin is a seasoned Graphic
them begin to remove self-defeating talk
Designer and Illustrator, whose career
and heal through self-acceptance, moving
includes a continuum of graphic arts
participants toward self-affirmation. Ms.
positions including Visual Information
Roberts-Lumpkin began giving workshops at
Specialist; Production Manager and Senior
homeless shelters, to domestic violence
Art Production Manager. Over the past three
survivors, incarcerated women and girls, as
years; she has managed several consultant
well to girls in middle and high schools
and technical assistance providers, to help
throughout the DMV.
launch and strengthen the organization.
THE LAB | 30
The Ragbaby Exchange’s story starts in 1987 with Executive Director, Sherri Lumpkin. Lumpkin designed her first doll with her mother at Christmas after searching for a Black angel to top their Christmas tree. Lumpkin fell in love with the art form, and when friends, family and colleagues all asked for dolls for their trees, Lumpkin recognized a need in her community for representation in this art form. While working as a docent at Washington D.C.’s Anacostia Community Museum, Lumpkin was invited to lead a doll-making workshop. In the workshop, Lumpkin saw herself in the children through their belief that others were more beautiful than them. Through this workshop, Lumpkin encouraged the children to make dolls to celebrate their likeness, and the RagBaby Exchange was born. This lack of self-esteem is reminiscent of the Clark Doll experiment, a 1940s test where children needed to choose between a Black doll and a White one and decide which one was more beautiful or more worthy of love. The children, both Black and White, almost always chose the White doll. Through the Ragbaby Exchange, Lumpkin breaks this pattern and teaches kids to love all and love themselves above all else.
THE LAB | 31
M O U N T R A I N I E R M U R A L U N V E I L I N G
T h e C i t y o f M o u n t R a i n i e r U n v e i l e d a N e w M u r a l B y t h e D M V L e a g u e o f A r t i s t s
THE LAB | 32
PAGE 13 POPSTARMAG.COM | 2021
KEIONA CLARK Lab Team Member, Curator, Owner of Keiona Clark Art and President of the DMV League of Artists, Keiona Clark receives a citation from City of Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez and City of Mount Rainier Director of Economic Development, Ronald Hopkins
THE LAB | 33
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2021 PENSKE TRUCK RENTAL PROPERTY
0 1 Larry Solomon (L), Penske Truck Rentals, Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez, Mount Rainier Director of Economic Development, Ronald Hopkins 0 2 Keiona Clark (M), President, DMV League of Artists, Mayor Celina Benitez (L), Ron Hopkins (R) 0 3 DMV League of Artists' Eric "Easy" Thomas (L), Keiona Clark (M), and Luther Wright (R) 0 4 Rhett Butler, RBACM, LLC, and Rhonda Dallas, Executive Director, Prince George's Arts & Humanities Council
“Within the Lab lies the opportunity for collaboration, professional development and expression of artistic voice.
“Keiona Clark and the DMV League of Artists worked with Lab partner the City of Mount Rainier on the Penske mural project.”
THE LAB | 34
CREATIVE POWERS UNITE Building bridges for creatives through artist development, curation and education.
3311 RHODE ISLAND AVE, STE. 100B MT RAINIER, MD | 20722 | USA T: +1 301 266 1108 O: +1 202 709 9858 DMVLEAGUEOFARTISTS@GMAIL.COM
