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You have the pieces to your own puzzle. Put it together at your own pace.

Belisse Linton 

#inspiration

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A young Joan Didion

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The Big Day

In less than 24 hours we’ll be releasing the first issue of ADORA ©. Thank you to all the creatives who helped this project come to life. 

Best,

Adora

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Be present but don't be stagnant. Get ready to get uncomfortable, because with comfortability one cannot grow.

Adora

#weekly mantra

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Behind the Lens || Derrick Johnson 

Oscar Grant III, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Rekia Boyd, Sean Bell, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, Danroy Henry, Terence Crutcher, and Aiyana Jones all have something in common. They were being black in America. In American society, anti-blackness is not the exclusive division of white Americans. The anti-blackness is so deep in the fabric of the United States of America’s history that no community is immune from it. August 28th, a day that most people disregard and think it’s a normal workday, school day, or regular day. The first thing that comes to mind for me is that this day should be marked as a day of memoriam for Emmett Till. In grade school usually during February, (also deemed as Black History Month) as students, we are taught only to celebrate positive black role models like; Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, etc. However, when being taught this curriculum it never focuses on America’s flaws such as slavery, and the radical and prejudice practices that occurred. 

Being an African American woman I was taught from a young age that there is a system of societal norms and behavior that are justified as acceptable even though it is discriminate against not only me and my race but also, against anyone else whose appearance does not reflect European white beauty standards. According to the New York Times, Professor Angela Onwuachi-Willig a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law states that  “Race is not biological. It is a social construct. There is no gene or cluster of genes common to all blacks or all whites. Were race “real” in the genetic sense, racial classifications for individuals would remain constant across boundaries.” In today’s society white privilege is often described through the lens of Peggy McIntosh’s revolutionary piece “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” McIntosh exposes to readers of how white people’s skin is a privilege due to there being a transparent preference for whiteness that absorbs our society. Having white skin gives them privileges that contributes to several roles in our society. First, it gives white people amenities that people of color cannot earn. Second, it allows them to possess real advantages for them. Reflecting back, it is evident that white people are not liable to a lot of challenges that people of color are exposed to and have to endure. 

Currently, there is an advertisement created by Procter and Gamble called, “The Talk”. This advertisement exposes the true depths of what people of color, but mainly what African Americans have to endure every day. It shows a variety of scenarios that present on the variety of particular challenges faced by African-Americans. It reveals the struggles African Americans may have thought were left in the past, but sadly still remain a pitiful reality today. Numerous scenes portray how mothers balance their fears with hope as they try to nurture their children and discuss the racial encounters they will have endured, and how their lack of privilege is used against them. From the beginning, one mother assures her daughter that she will be fine while she is away at science camp. The only contradicting part was that she would have to "work twice as hard and be twice as smart,". Another mother with a "pretty" daughter is combing her hair while they are at home, the daughter says that a woman called her “pretty for a black girl” as if her beauty was not acceptable to conventional beauty standards. The mother clarifies to the daughter that she's "beautiful, period." Yet, there are other concerning scenarios as well, things that are beyond their control over. Also in the video, one mother insists that her son brings his ID with him to music practice, because it will be late when he returns home. Another concerning scenario was a young lady at the steering wheel and she is telling her mother that she does not need to worry because she's a "good driver," but that's not what her mother’s real concern is. The mother implies, “It’s not about you being a good drive it’s about you coming home.” This advertisement does not sugarcoat with assurances that things will only get better but, creates a need for awareness that these scenarios are apart of the African American experience. This conversation is becoming more prominent in black homes due to today’s political and social climate.

Currently, it has been seven years since Trayvon Martin’s death but it sparked back up the controversial conversation that needs be had between “race” and “white privilege”. I remember that immediately after the murder of Trayvon Martin, people of every race took to the Internet to proclaim “I am Trayvon Martin.” They created clothing that only showed an Arizona can and a bag of Skittles, supporters proclaimed solidarity. That was a well-meaning and earnest attempt to express their empathy, but it also veiled the core issue, which is that Martin’s death was not because he was wearing a black hoodie past 10 o’clock at night, but because he was wearing a hoodie while being black. His killer George Zimmerman abused his white privilege to the utmost, from selling the gun that he used to kill Trayvon with for over $250,000, to try to plead his case by victimizing himself Zimmerman is and the jury that allowed Trayvon’s death to be in vain are solely responsible for the death of a child. Zimmerman exercised his privilege to ignore the messy reality that he caused a person's death in order to promote his own narrative of victimhood.

In closing, as a black woman who is socially conscience about the white American experience. There will always be ignorance and prejudice in the world, but there are also people in pain, suffering, and struggling. I am grateful to be able to notice and face racism and discrimination head first, it allows me to educate others who are not aware of their privilege based on race, sex, ethnicity, etc. They have helped me to understand my personal experience and, just as importantly, to see beyond it.

#welcome to america #being black #pro black #the black stallion

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The creative who challenges the creative.

“I am a creative… who’s also media-savvy and a lover of the arts. I am a student at the University of Tampa pursuing a B.A. in Advertising and Communications. I have started my career as an Executive-in-Chief at ADORA LLC., a digital magazine publication. Art has always been a passion of mine, which has allowed me to fuel my entrepreneurial spirit and create my own digital publication. I am eager to grow my career by exploring new ventures and seeing what the world has to offer. Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure adoration.” -Adora

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Meet Nijon 'SHOTBOY' Crews who loves to use his camera to captivate people.

SHOTBOY is building a brand for generational wealth centered around quality, creativity, and positive energy.

“Being yourself is awesome. I'm just Crews, just be yourself.”

#black photographers #photography

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MUSIC ALERT: It’s officially a new month you know what that means? A NEW PLAYLIST!! Go check out our “Women’s History Month” playlist on Spotify today! - - #womenshistorymonth #iamwoman #everywoman - - I do not own the music playing, it belongs to the label’s copyright. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9SZ4E9nYA0/?igshid=10ffvdkxxerik

#womenshistorymonth #iamwoman #everywoman

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In support of National Women’s Month we’ve curated a list of our most iconic women. Who’s some of your favorite women icons? Comment below and tell us who you stan! 👇🏿👇🏽👇🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/B9SYaw2nEBv/?igshid=t99laeyg991q

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Go through his media & show love. || @itsscottieszn 

#black king

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Meet “Worldwide$cottie” a musician, model, and creator. || @itsscottieszn

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A•dor•a əˈdôra The name is of Greek, Arabic, Hebrew and Latin origin, and the meaning of Adora is "a gift; beloved one; adored by many". So my question is, do you know the meaning of your name? Are you manifesting and making a name for yourself? Comment below. 👇🏿👇🏾👇🏽👇🏼👇🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Hdh6inceR/?igshid=933o60u0v879

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FEB 2020: Meet the creator of ADORA, Nakiya. Nakiya is a full-time college student who’s passionate about art, fashion, food, and self care. • She created ADORA so would be able to share her love for other people’s art and talent whether it comes from a big or large scale. Her core values are, “everyone deserves to be seen, and it’s all about love, faith, and dreams.” When one believes in something they do, they will nurture and love it. • The next step is if you’re putting your heart into something you have faith, and faith comes not by sight but by hearing. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT. • Finally make your dream become a reality. Everything else will follow, don’t allow your dream to just be a hopeful memory put the work in and manifest it. (at Tampa, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Hccr1naQD/?igshid=vrowll4e2ke3

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The Sisters Zénaïde and Charlotte Bonaparte, Kehinde Wiley, 2014

Archival inkjet print in colors 27.5 x 22 in. (69.85 x 55.88 cm)

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Carrie Mae Weems (born April 20, 1953) is an American artist who works with text, fabric, audio, digital images, and installation video but is best known for her work in the field of photography. Her award-winning photographs, films, and videos have been displayed in over 50 exhibitions in the United States and abroad.

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Sculptor Augusta Savage (1892-1962)