I’ve a few reasons to be thankful for being from Harlem, but one I’m most grateful for is the opportunity to see Romare Bearden’s work displayed in a neighborhood store every so often.

I first saw his work when I was twelve years old, and I remember staring at it as if it was an adult relative speaking to me. Although I knew nothing about him, the familiarity I had with the imagery he used to form his collages grabbed my attention long enough for me to listen to what I was seeing.

I can only wonder whether those exchanges are the reason I became an artist, but I know there is no other artist who has influenced my creative process as much as he has.

Thank you, Romare.