Along with her latest
single, "Black Parade," Beyoncé has released a directory featuring black-owned businesses, two of which
are right here in Louisiana. NOLA.com reports that Stella Jones Gallery,
a New Orleans art gallery known for curating contemporary African, Caribbean,
and African American art, is highlighted in the directory. So is the work of
Christopher John Rogers, a fashion designer from Baton Rouge who now lives in
New York City and whose designs have been seen on Michelle Obama and Lizzo,
among others.
Stella Jones has been
running her art gallery since 1996, and she notes on her website that she and her late husband had dreamed of
opening an art gallery for years, as they had developed a passion for art collecting.
Stella has always been active in the community, and in 2018, she hosted a luncheon for EssenceFest. Before opening an art
gallery, she worked in medicine as a pharmacist and an OB/GYN.
At only 26, Christopher
John Rogers has made waves in the fashion industry. In 2019, he received the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fundaward,
granting him $400,000 and mentorship from a CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers
of America) member. His 2020 collection received rave reviews, and we cannot
wait to see all he's sure to do.
Photo by Pete Sekesan from New York, USA - DW2Q0758, CC BY 2.0, Link
