Imani Shanklin-Roberts presents...

An Education

I had the pleasure of attending the lovely Ms. Imani Shanklin-Roberts' art exhibit this weekend at the Anacostia Arts Museum in Washington, DC. Entitled "An Education," this was the fourth showcase authored by Imani where she displayed some of her latest artwork expressing admiration and liberation of our culture. I took my little brother along, who is an aspiring graphic designer, to hopefully learn a little more about art appreciation.

Although currently a full time student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Roberts is no stranger to the arts! "My dad is painter [and] I use to paint with him, so I've probably been painting all my life." "I took classes at the Corcoran [College of Arts and Design] in DC, and at the Art League in Virginia, so my parents always kept me in the arts," states Imani, as she laughs at the thought. Experience and knowledge are definitely skills that sets Imani above the rest, not to mention her appreciation of our race and heritage. The compassion and admiration she shares for each of her paintings (because you know I asked which was her favorite) only exemplifies the true message each painting possess. I paid attention especially to the fact that no painting at the exhibit had a description. When asked why she said, "I have a special connectivity to all of my art but thats not what I want. You know? I want people to go deeper into their self realizations and see what they get from it."

As a lover of urban culture, and woman glorification, I cherish the work Imani has produced. Her paintings illustrate the many dynamics of African American features. I find it amazing how each painting dominates the thought of maturity, growth and appreciation. She explained how our style, our swag, and even our hair makes us who we are as a people. "I'm all about illuminating different things that actually arts us," she says. Let me just add, guys, that this girl speaks straight from the heart. Museums are no place for true innovators like Imani, who admitted that she would much rather appreciate her art displayed in her hometown (check her out at Busboys and Poets) and in the home of friends and family.

But enough from me, who wants to see pictures from my experience at the exhibit?
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To learn more about Imani Shanklin-Roberts please visit www.imanishanklinroberts.com,
Hit her up on Twitter at @sr_imani
Or follow her via Instagram at @imanipurpose :)

Stay tuned for more publishings from this vibrant individual, she's on the way to the top!

*taps mic* So is this thing on?

Since there's an abundant amount of phobias, I don't really know the name of mine. Haha. I just really have a problem with like jumping into something!
I mean, nobody likes blueprints? Layouts? A detailed idea at least, lol? Well whatever, because I need order before I start anything!!
I thought long and hard about my first blog post, wanting it to be something I'd look back on and remember exactly what I was doing, or thinking while composing it. So here it is guys …

"21 Interesting Facts About Me"

-My favorite color is Orange. Orange is said to be connected to luxury and pleasure appealing to the flamboyant and fun-loving person who likes a lively social round. GO ME!!
-Idk where technology goes, I'll always be a magazine subscriber. Teen Vogue, VOGUE, Cosmopolitan,and Nylon. I need tangible issues.
-I've always had incredible confidence, but lately I've really been feeling good about myself.
-Pick up some healthy habits!! No red meats, no beef, no sugars, or sodas. I've been eating consciously for a while now and I love it.
-Sunflowers makes me sooooo happy, its safe to say thats my favorite flower. I plan to get at least 3 tattooed on me.
-I graduate in December! I will be a undergrad ALUMA in December! Its so surreal I find myself repeating it a lot, lol.
-Channel ORANGE, by Frank Ocean is still the most played album in my iTunes.
-I really wanna live on the East Coast, San Diego to be exact. There or Egypt. Wherever I get to first I guess.
-As I started writing this I realize I'm pretty classy (boring, actually) soooo 21 facts is kicking my butt.
-I freaking looooooove to laugh!! Like that probably should've been Number 1 on this list, but oh well.
-I could eat breakfast any time of the day. Probably all day.

-Im the oldest of a two girls and a boy. I pretty much think that means I'm a "born leader" destined for greatness.
-I have a Macbook Pro, an iPad, and an iPhone. According to Forbes, I could run a business buuuut I still think everything was cooler when Blackberries ruled.
-I'm learning more about myself, lol.
-I believe that our time on Earth is precious, and my ultimate goal is to travel the world exploring different cultures.
-I was born July 9th, that makes me a Cancer. I try not to get deep into astrology but the characteristics tied to each sign are undeniable.
-Music♫ truly is a gateway. Music♫ puts you in the collect trance, where anything can be accomplished.
-I wish I could create my own relationship status. A "we're too young to annoy and trap each other, but I really think you're cool and want you to myself" kinda thing right?
-Between babies and old people, idk who's more adorable. I may be being dramatic, lol. Babies are my weakness.
-I love DIYs. Crafts, food, remedies, even household tasks. Its the creative perk in me, I love eccentric-ness (is that a word?)
-All I watch is Disney Channel, oh and Disney movies. I use to blame it on the fact that I wouldn't have to see scary commercials at night, lol.