My Aunt blondell would enter any room and light it up. She was not only my aunt but my friend, she introduced me to activism and the way of making people feel joy. Though she was older she never showed her age. Being a woman from the south she had the attitude and gratitude to stand on her own. I would always remind her cheetah print coat and big shades when she walked in. Her love for traveling influenced this video to be able to bring people I didnt know regardless of age joy, is something I wanted to include into my portfolio. 

My artist Residency at GWCC has continued to push my work and character to produce prolific work. The Greenmount West Community commissioned a mural at the entrace of the facilaity. The mural stands on a 10 to 15 ft wall with the title "I Know I Can". The mural was grateful made from my own a creative freedom to exemplify excellence and engagement. This orginal work speaks on the narrative of youth influence in and outside of the community while confronting stereotypes. At the top stnads the Executive Director of GWCC Kisha L. Webster surrounded by a ray of colors who entrusted my vision to fortify her's in this mural. Two the left and right are youth representing the brilliant young people of Greenmount and to show a vision of intellegnece and creativity. Photographs were taken by my good friend Niajea Randolph, the mural is located at the Greenmount West Community in Balitmore, MD.

The five individuals memorialized in “Resilient” are Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Kara Walker, Muhiyidin D’Baha, Cyntoia Brown, and Robert Smalls. “Each Resilient Warrior had to go through real life to bring out the truth in people’s heart, including my own, and I’m proud of the message that God gave to me,” affirms kolpeace.

Each work in “Resilient” was illustrated by kolpeace in his self-taught signature speed painting style that has made him a crowd and critical favorite at events and venues such as the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, Spoleto Festival, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, North Charleston Arts Festival, Lowcountry Local First Good Business Summit, MOJA Arts Festival, and various schools nationwide. The five entries are personalized with armor and/or battle garb to show their unwillingness to back down or go out without a fight.

Rev. Coleman-Singleton was an assistant pastor for Mother Emanuel AME who was killed during the racially motivated June 2015 mass shooting at the church. A beloved member of Emanuel and Goose Creek High School’s faculty, her legacy of compassion rooted in faith continues through her son, Charleston Southern graduate and professional baseball player Chris Singleton.

Kara Walker is award-winning artist known worldwide for her graphic and provocative imagery depicting African Americans, often with Antebellum and Jim Crow era themes. Her uncompromising style has been met with controversy throughout her career, but Walker has remained true to herself and her craft to this day.

Black Lives Matter Charleston leader Muhiyidin d’Baha was a prominent local activist that fought for the Black community with immense dedication and sincerity up until his Feb. 2018 murder in New Orleans at the age of 32. A memorial was held in his honor at Hampton Park by the Denmark Vesey statue Feb. 9.

Cyntoia Brown was 16 years old when she was given a life sentence for a shooting that resulted in the death of 43 year old Johnny Michael Allen, who picked up the runaway teen in 2004 to solicit sex. Brown argued self defense was her reason for the shooting, but she would remained stuck with life term in prison until a January 2019 order by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam commuted the sentence to August 7, 2019.

Robert Smalls is the legendary enslaved Beaufort man that escaped to freedom and became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is presented in his military uniform in “Resilient,” a call back to his daring plan to steal the Confederate warship CSS Planter during the American Civil War to secure freedom for his family.