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CORNERSTONE COMPLEX; Pawtucket

“Community Guy” Kobi Dennis is Chief Operations Officer at the Greater Providence YMCA. Currently overseeing 460 employees at 6 locations throughout the state with over 15,000 members and an annual budget of $8-10 million. He’s adding a bit more to his list by opening “Cornerstone Complex”

“My education background is in HDF, Human Development and Family Services. Organically, I deal with mental health counseling on an unofficial basis. My barber shop is a counseling session for youth. They come for a free sweatshirt, a hair cut and some snacks but I allow them to come here for free to talk about their lives, talk them about what they want to be and help them deal with any problems they have and so forth.“

How might this positively effect  the surrounding area?

This project right here is a total community project it will certainly uplift the community. Pawtucket is probably the second city when it comes to not only incarceration rates but also poverty, just right behind providence. It would help the things we do and what we have already done, like Toy Drives, Giving away Thanksgiving turkeys. We have had employment for a lot of the citizens in the area. We are also connected to a barber shop that gives free hair cuts to kids. We will have free shows and there’s plenty of opportunities for the community to rent a space at a low cost, in addition we have 12-15 business incubators at a very low cost to help folks better their lives though business and have a brick and mortar space to call their own. We would help this community by being where we are, for the underserved part of the community.

Who inspired you to create this foundation?

There was a gentleman that the neighborhood called Bells. He sadly passed a few years ago. He was a mentor from South Providence who wore a suit and tie every day. None of us poor black and brown children could understand why he would wear this suit every day; summer, fall, winter, you name it, he had a full suit on and shiny shoes. I learned from him that dressing for success was the way to go. Coming from a community where there weren’t many fathers, from a family where there weren’t enough fathers, including myself. He was a father-figure to many of us. Youth mentorship wasn’t a profession when he was doing it thirty years ago. I am 51 years old so when I was a teenager, 35 years ago, youth mentorship was considered glamorized babysitting. Now you can get a Master’s Degree in Youth Mentorship and get paid well. Then, he didn’t get paid well he just loved doing what he did. Fast forward to now, when I had the opportunity to acquire this building, I thought “Well, what could I do?” I could turn it into youth center but we have about 30 of those in the state and they are under funded already so I thought maybe I could fulfill one of my dreams but still help people, so that’s why the first level of this place, which Leah Jackson here has helped get together with us. The bottom floor is going to fulfill one of my dreams by being a black theater and a Jazz Club. It’s a perfect space for live jazz music for the public. Everyone is welcome. Most nights it will be a 30+ Lounge for the adult crowd. Other nights, it will be a black theater. We say black theater because it will always feature black performance. Everyone is always allowed in this space, and all the things that I do, but I like to say the word “Black” because I want people to know that this is ran by people from the black culture; Afro-Latina, African, Black American, if you’re mulatto; half black, half-white, if you associate with black, then you’ll know what I am saying when I say “black.” Anyone is also welcome but I want everyone to know clearly that this is a black business.

NIRVANA TEA HOUSE; Millis

A tea shop and tranquil café that provides fresh, healthy eats. The flavors are unique and perfectly paired together. You might not even notice the whole location is vegan. Nirvana Tea House and Café has been fully plant based since opening in June 2020. Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm is located here in Millis and is where Nirvana locally sources their seasonal vegetables; Salad greens, Kale, Eggplant, Tomatoes.

Instead of gratuities, Nirvana suggests guests leave donations to a local non-profit of their choosing, with options such as the Millis Food Pantry, Franklin+ Alliance and the Sherborn, MA Unity Farm Animal Sanctuary. The owner adds a percentage on top of all the donations collected. They even are involved in the community through sponsoring different events such as New England Veg Fest, Millis Rec, Dudley Fest and Animal Rescue League.

Pathways Wellness Center is the perfect addition to this location. As the origin of the space itself, the main cafe was originally the event space for teaching classes like Tai Chi until COVID changed in person events. Most of their therapists started moving to online and going virtual.

Nirvana often collaborates with other locals in the area. The Enlightenment Corner is full of handcrafted local goods with jewelry, journals, crystals, cards and other artists work for sale. Here you might find products such as Sweet Willow Natural Soaps from Bellingham, MA and even a couple of soaps made exclusively for the cafe based on their tea flavors such as Chai, Blood orange, Moroccan Mint and Earl Grey that are only available here.

Keith M. is Head of the team; Anthony, Shaun, Jason, Paige and Teniki who have remained with them since the beginning. Follow their journey on Instagram at @NirvanaTeaHouseCafe

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LINKED; Johnston

Keera Albergaria is a local Entrepreneur who is a master of many fields; jewelry, fitness, a mother and even the author of a book while owning a business on her own. Her attention to detail is the perfect trait for her jewelry business that we visited in Johnston, Rhode Island. As we selected permanent jewelry options that best suited us, she made various suggestions for the type of bands we should use for the best durability for the placement that we wanted. She was very popular during the event and had a few people come up to say hello but she still maintained her focus on the tasks at hand and always made us feel welcomed.

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Holly Nichols
Local Illustrator of the Year

* Which New England Artists are an inspiration to you?
 

My peers who are also emerging artists inspire me. My good friend Ava Pessina is a photographer who shoots a lot of fashion photography. I truly admire her style. I'm also inspired by a lot of the children I have worked with teaching art.

* How do you promote other New England Artists?

 

I share a workspace with local handbag designer Lindsay Tia. We're currently working on a T-Shirt line featuring both of our designs. We have built a close network of young, creative entrepreneurs whom we host events and fundraisers with. Two of the entrepreneurs include jewelers Tiffany Jazelle (Tiffany Jazelle Jewelry) of Yarmouth Port and Tanya Rustigian (Trust Jewelry) of Plymouth. We recently hosted an event “Fashion 4 Passion” and raised funds for the DOVE foundation.
So much of the creative process is dependent on solitude, it definitely helps to break that up with other creative minds and a fresh perspective.

* What local artists have you previously collaborated with?

As I mentioned, I collaborate frequently with designer Lindsay, Tiffany, and Tanya, but am close with illustrator, Vicky Ajene, who is also a Boston native.
In August, I moved into my first studio space located in Abington alongside Lindsay Tia. I previously worked from home, but that started to become a challenge as my business grew. I am certainly happy where I am now, and it’s a blessing to be able to work alongside another passion driven mind.

Betsy Dolinko

Local Designer of the Year 2014

When did you first construct your designs for sale? Where are you located?

I started Grotto in early 2013 and debuted the lines' first collection that August. Grottos studio is located in Newton, MA. 

 

Who locally encourages you to keep working?
I am absolutely obsessed with Carter Smith. He is a local shibori artist who has mastered the art of dying silks to the point of creating his own techniques. His pieces are so exquisite, once dyed they can never be duplicated.

 

How do you internationalize your business?
While most of the activity in the New England area, Grotto has gained a following in the tri-state area through fashion shows and collaborations. 
I collaborate with a lot of local photographers, models, make up artists and hair stylists on photo shoots. There is just something so wonderful that sparks when you can sit down with people and figure out ways to warp our aesthetics to create a really wonderful photograph. 

 

Which New England artists have you previously collaborated with?
I absolutely adore working with Andrea Lynne Photography and Megan Autry who is a makeup artist. 
Grotto Handmade

Joe Miglionico

Local Photographer of the Year 2014

Joe has been in the  photography business since 1998! This experienced Photographer was chosen this year since he has done so much work locally over the years and promoted so many artists in New England.

 

Who would you say keeps you inspired?

Off the top of my head, as far as artists who inspire me.. Lynn Quinlivan, and Chris Lunetta, who are also photographers, and Mike Ladd, who is a singer/songwriter

 

Which artists have you collaborated with?

Every model I work with is a collaboration. I don't dictate what happens at a shoot, I let them be who they want to be, wear what they want, do what they want. I try to find a hopefully interesting way to shoot that. So, in that sense, I've collaborated with literally dozens of artists. I don't know if I reach outside of new england or not. I have 'fans' from all over the world, according to Facebook, but I can't say for sure if that means anything.

 

Where is your business run?

I have a studio in Clinton, MA now, but I still travel to locations for shoots too, and have done so all over Massachusetts, and occasionally outside of it.

Arturo Velasquez

Local Editor of the Year 2014

How long ago did you begin your business?
I started my business with my beautiful wife 5 years ago.

How does your brand reach outside of the New England area?
Luckily because of Facebook, 500PX and other websites my Brand and Art reach quite a few people all over the world.

How do you collaborate with/promote/help other New England Artists?
One of my favorite things to do is collaborate with other photographers that don’t specialize in raster graphics editing.

What local artists have you previously collaborated with?
Kevin Cool, Matt Inkwell Johnson, Brian Berkowitz just to name a few.

Where are you located now?
We’re located in Boston, MA

Where have you been in the past?
I used to have a studio in Charlestown, MA

Aylla Corrie

Local Model of the Year 2014

When did you start off?

 I began dabbling in modeling about 5 years ago. My career really kicked off about 6 months ago when I was signed to Bella Life Models. They have really made me grow in my career and helped me become the full time model I am today.

 

Who would you consider an inspiration?

There are so many local artists that inspire me. To name a few Christine Jenna, Miss Mischief, Kev Cool, Kevin "panda" Du, and many more.
3. I love being able to promote or help other artists branch out. I like most others use social media networking to help promote fellow artists the most. Though I am not shy at all about referring artists to others through word of mouth.

 

Could you name a few local artists have you already worked with?
I have worked with so many new England photographers and I'm glad I get an opportunity to name drop the amazing people I have worked with. I have had the honor of collaborating with photographers such as Arturo Velasquez of Imagix, Kev Cool, Kevin "Panda" Du, Matt "Inkwell" Johnson, David Blazze, Dana Tarr, Victoria Pavlov, Terry White and many more. And I have also had the honor of collaborating with local designers such as Dawnamatrix, SourPuss clothing, Isabel Lopez and Claude Michelle.

 

Where do you work out of?

 I am currently located in Rhode Island but my agency Bella Life Models is located out of Quincy most of my work is based in Boston and surrounding areas.
 

Crissy Leatham
Local Publicist of the Year

*When did you begin your business?

 

I have been in the Fashion Industry for over 10 years. However, i have been running my own business in Boston for three years and before that I was working in New York.

* Who inspires you locally?

 

There are a few brands that have been an inspiration. One that sticks out is Angela & Roi because I love their brand message. The other local brands that have been an inspiration to my projects have been Ortega Jewelry by Jacqueline Ortega, The Haute House, and Chances R by Toni Lyn Spaziano.

How are you globalizing yourself and your brand?

I collaborate with many artists worldwide, My Campaign has reached Japan, India, Australia and the U.K to name a few. It's such a rewarding experience.

* How do you collaborate with other New England Artists?

 

I host workshops and also consult artists on how to build their brand appropriately. The best part is the attendees collaborate with one another. Business is always done at my workshops or by giving free advertisement to brands through my social media channels.

Jessie Gouin

Local Crafter of the Year 2014

When did you start selling your items as FORENSIC NATURE?

I offically began my business the first of may 2014 but I started to create product months prior and at a high volume. I wanted to have more than just a few options for buyers or admirers to look at. Once I had enough I was excited to start setting up at local flea markets and art conventions. I also set up an online shop with the company Etsy.

 

How are you globalizing your brand?

I sell my products online so more people can have access. Even though going global is a bigger and harder step its worth it for me. Etsy helps me to ship all over the world. I get tons of orders from the UK, australia, asia and of course varying states from the united states.

 

Where are you located?

I have been temporaily living in Hawaii for the past 2 years so lots of local Hawaiians have grown a liking to my shop! I will be returning to Providence, RI where I was born and raised in December of this year.

 

Who keeps you inspired and motivated?

When I was young I went to an art school called Beacon Charter and I keep in contact with all the other artist that I had met there. I had met my first friend and insparation there. His name is Cody Thurber. Even though we have completely different looks and use different medians and materials, I think we can corrialate in some aspects. His art is just wonderful. But staying in touch with the others,

 

What other work have you done to help local artists?

I created my own zine for a short time exposing local artists in the area. Some people have found my website and they love to ask me questions about my work and the process it requires. I am always open to more questions. I also take requests for a certain product that you may want. So please contact me anytime with questions or requests at Jessie.gouin@yahoo.com. Thanks.

 

Anthony DiCostanzo

Local Stylist of the Year 2014

I started in the fashion world four years ago doing print work. I met Jacob Benjamin Taylor (Photographer) we instantly hit it off, and began collaborating on editorial photo shoots. Since then I've created my personal styling firm HAUS CAT, and as a team Jacob and I have brought in local artists Dana Starbard (Photographer), Lauren Lucia (Designer), and gave many local models their first experience in front of a camera.

Annie Goldman

Local Fashion Blogger of the Year 2014

Annie's Fashion Sauce, your blog, celebrated its one-year anniversary in September. Who's inspired your posts?


*I'm really inspired by all of the vendors and artists who participate in the SoWa Vintage Market in Boston. Everyone there has a different, colorful point of view, and the combination of things old and new always gives me fresh outfit ideas. I also connect with a lot of Boston-based bloggers through social media. Instagram has opened me up to a whole community of local fashion enthusiasts, and I love having that insight into how the people around me express themselves sartorially and interpret current trends. 

 

How are you working to nationalize your business?

 

*I work with brands and designers based in New York and the Midwest (I'm currently collaborating on a T-shirt design project that I hope will help spread the Sauce far and wide), but Annie's Fashion Sauce has readers all over the world, and international street style has a huge impact on my personal style and what I post on my blog.

 

What new work have you gotten into?

How is it helping other local artists like yourself?

 

*Myself and a team of local fashion and beauty bloggers have recently started writing for a new site called MakeOverShare, which connects Bostonians with the best salons and spas in the city. It's really rewarding to give the local hair stylists, makeup artists, nail technicians, and other beauty techs the recognition they deserve. They constantly introduce me to new looks, encourage me to embrace change, and help my style evolve, and that's what fashion is really all about: sharing creative and artistic vision.

Ray McNamara

Local Musician of the Year 2014

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