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Malik Peay

Writer. Storyteller. More…

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    • 6LACK Cover Story – Preme Magazine
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    • Jessie Reyez Cover Story – Galore Magazine
    • Marsai Martin Cover Story – Galore Magazine
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    • ‘Clickbait’: Why The Series’ Whirlwind Of Smokescreens And Plot Twists Is A Home-Run For Viewers – Shadow & Act
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    • MJ Rodriguez On Transitioning Out Of ‘Pose’ With New AppleTV+ Comedy: ‘The Sky Is Literally Limitless’ – ESSENCE
    • ‘There was this incredible life’: telling the true story of the Notorious BIG – The Guardian
    • Zolee Griggs Discusses Her Transition To Becoming An Actress – ESSENCE
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    • Fenty Mask Collaborator Shami Oshun Shows Us Why She Is The Future Of Fashion – ESSENCE
    • How 4 Black Gymnasts Style Their Hair for Competition – ALLURE Interview
    • How Nick Holiday Ended up Designing Merch for Brockhampton, Shia LaBeouf – COMPLEX
    • How Saweetie’s Birthday Bash Paid Homage To Fashion Trends Of The ’90s – ESSENCE
    • Lori Harvey on New Skincare Line, SKN, and What Inspired Her Journey to Glowing Skin – Teen Vogue
    • Meet the 22-Year-Old Makeup Artist Who Was BTS at Savage x Fenty Vol. 2 – InStyle Magazine
    • Saweetie Stuns With Her Met Gala 2021 Debut Story – ESSENCE
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    • Dr. Akiemi Glenn Interview – Travel Noire
    • Georgia’s 6-Year-Old Black Farmer Will Soon Teach Agriculture Via New YouTube Series – Travel Noire
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    • Honolulu-Based Restaurant, Blind Ox Experiential Overview – Travel Noire
    • Honolulu-Based Surfjack Hotel Experiential Overview – Travel Noire
    • Is now the time to visit Venice? Fewer crowds provide a different experience. – USA Today Travel
    • Lori Harvey on New Skincare Line, SKN, and What Inspired Her Journey to Glowing Skin – Teen Vogue
    • New York City-Based Cafe – Hibiscus Brew Founder Interview – Travel Noire
    • Soneva Fushi Maldives Resort Excursions Coverage – Travel Noire
    • Soneva Fushi Maldives Resort Founder Interview – Travel Noire
    • The Power of Allyship Between Black and Asian-Americans – ESSENCE
    • These Are The Black-Owned Businesses Featured At Issa Rae’s Insecure Fest – Travel Noire
    • Theopolis Vineyards: California’s 18-Year-Old Black Woman-Owned Winery – Travel Noire
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    • Shaun Ross Is a Musical Force to Be Reckoned with – iHeartRadio
    • ‘Tap In’ To Saweetie – PAPER
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Posted on November 22, 2021 by peay_malik

How ‘Insecure’ Changed the Way We View Black Characters on TV (Guest Column)

Issa Rae and Jay Ellis in

Hollywood Reporter (2021)

Cinematographer and director Ava Berkofsky explains how she framed the intimate moments between the HBO comedy’s leading characters.

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 “It’s always something I’ve wanted to do and to be able to connect with our customers in real life was so important to me,” Rihanna tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ve imagined these stores for so long and stepping into our L.A. store today was beyond exciting.

Rihanna (Hollywood Reporter, 2022)

"I think over the years, I’ve learned to dress for comfort. Comfort is not necessarily like loungewear or leggings, which I do love sometimes, but what makes me feel comfortable and makes me feel confident. It could be an LBD (little black dress) and I can feel super sexy and like the hottest girl in the room."

Karrueche Tran (Essence, 2021)

"My whole career has been me doing whatever I wanted to do at that moment. I say at that moment because, you know, three years later, I may [not be interested in the same things.] I'm going to actually ramp up. Rest in peace, Virgil [Abloh]. Safest travels. [His passing made me realize] there is no time. I have to turn that lever up for myself. I have all these ideas, and [I'm going to go for them] all. Get it in the works. Fuck waiting. Time is the realest luxury ever and we've got that."

Tyler The Creator (Allure, 2021)

"For me, framing is everything. When the balance of a frame is right for the moment, I just feel a sense of immense joy, both as a viewer and as a creator. On the show, I wanted the framing to add to the viewer’s experience without them realizing it and to share some of that immersive joy."

Ava Berkofsky (Hollywood Reporter, 2021)

"This special means a lot to me. It’s my favorite time of year and I feel so blessed to do something special for my fans. Icy Season: A Saweetie Special, is my biggest solo show to date and my personal gift to everyone. And you know I was rocking my favorite Calvin’s. I’m performing my latest single “Icy Chain” and have new choreo so be sure to check it out.”

Saweetie (Essence, 2021)

"My goal from the beginning was to create beautiful occasion-wear that spoke to all women...to create a sophisticated label with couture-level execution at an attainable price point."

Eli Mizrahi (Hollywood Reporter, 2021)

"Definitely, I'm entering a new phase in my life where I'm opening myself up more and starting to let people get to know me on a personal level. So it's definitely new for me, but I'm enjoying it and I'm learning a lot."

Lori Harvey (Teen Vogue, 2021)

"Saweetie’s debut appearance at the 75th Met Gala affirmed a simple assumption about the lead-up to the historical high-fashion event: it truly takes a village to provide the most show-stopping finishing touches."

Malik Peay (Essence, 2021)

"I am so grateful to play a small part in reflecting Black people’s experiences on screen in a (hopefully) beautiful way.”

Issa Rae (Essence, 2021)

"The sky is literally limitless. I’m finally seeing how many doors have opened up because people actually see who we are and understand us and also see that we’re just like everyone else and we can share the same space."

MJ Rodriguez (Essence, 2021)

"Some people use their leotards as a statement, but I use my hair as a statement." 

Jordan Chiles (Allure, 2021)

"The most beautiful thing ever was to see so many Black people surfing together.” 

Brick Howze (Patagonia, 2021)

"I have always loved the phrase, it has been a part of my life since I was a child. My aunt would always say to me, “Sin Miedo!” This is a phrase in Spanish that pushes my people to do things and in English it translates to “without fear.”

Kali Uchis (W Magazine, 2021)

"It's a complicated experience and I think some of the work that we do is to bring out our larger community and our small Black community together through events and conversation about what those experiences have been for many of us.”

Dr. Akeimi Glenn (Conde Nast Traveler, 2021)

"I don’t know what the future holds but I do know that I'll be working with food for the rest of my life. That's how I express myself. That's how I'm able to honor my culture. That's how I tell my story."

Chef Tway Nguyen (Bon Appétit, 2021)

"I don't care how famous I am, I don't care how many people listen to my music. As long as I'm the soundtrack behind the positive change in their lives and as long as my peers respect me for what I do."

Kiana Ledé (Them, 2021)

"If you are not doing your due diligence and giving back to your fans by inspiring them or getting them through tough times, then you are not doing your job as an artist. The reason why I love music so much is because when I was going through growing pains in high school, I would get sad, depressed and even mad sometimes. I had my go-to artist or my go-to song that would get me through a difficult time."

Saweetie (PAPER, 2020)

"The struggle to become successful as a black man in America persists. I have written books on black icons in various fields who have strived to make it, and to make America a better place to live in, from political figures like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Barack Obama to artists like Tupac Shakur, Marvin Gaye, Bill Cosby, and Nas. These black men have faced enormous odds and daunting tasks in the effort to create opportunity for themselves and others."

Michael Eric Dyson (Complex, 2019)

"There are so many people who give me different advice every day. What I see as great advice is seeing creatives perform their talent. I get to witness my advice with my own eyes and how they are in the industry so I don’t need to be told advice all the time."

Marsai Martin (Galore, 2019)

"Go big or go home. You have to invest in yourself and believe in the product you put out, you have to do so. I am not trying to prove anything to anybody and that has always been my life motto."

Shaun Ross (iHeartRadio, 2019)

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