PinnedMember-onlyReuniting With The Man Who Should Have Been My Favorite UncleThis is my Uncle Butch. He’s a brilliant photographer who in his heyday logged more miles on his bicycle than most folks can fathom. He should have been one of my closest relatives but family drama and hurt feelings ruined any chance of that. It was so bad that the…Family4 min readFamily4 min read
PinnedMember-onlyEmbracing My Average Black DickIn an effort to better understand my body insecurities I spoke to two of the “biggest” Black pornstars in the industry. — I’ve been watching porn since I was a teenager. But not until I was an adult did I understand that I was steeping myself in racism at the same time. When my father brought the gift of AOL to my childhood home, I’m not sure how he hoped I would…Sex8 min readSex8 min read
Published in LEVEL·PinnedMember-onlyA Meandering Story About the Time I Was HomelessI was a man with no keys — Some years ago, I was headed into my West Village real estate office, worried about all the things a new business owner worries. Staff issues, overhead, clients, accounting were all weighing on my mind. …Storytelling11 min readStorytelling11 min read
Published in LEVEL·PinnedMember-onlyAre You Aware of Your Right Privilege?It’s hard being left-handed in a society that caters to righties — It all started pretty innocently. I was playing around on TikTok (don’t judge me) and someone asked, “What is something you’ll get a lot of hate for if you say it out loud?” My answer? “Right-handedness is one of the worst kinds of supremacy out there.” The response was overwhelming…Supremacy6 min readSupremacy6 min read
Published in LEVEL·PinnedMember-onlyRoy Wood Jr. Thinks Your Career Is a JokeAfter years of making us laugh at our pain, the most likable man in comedy focuses on the most painful thing of all: our jobs — Roy Wood Jr. is the kind of guy who makes everyone comfortable. He has a talent for making strangers feel as if they grew up with him on his street in Birmingham, Alabama. Even if you have dissimilar viewpoints and values, you’d still want to sit and have a beer…Strawberry20217 min readStrawberry20217 min read
Mar 10Member-onlyWhat is a Professional Anymore?In the blurry world of hobby, freelance, and expert what defines a pro anything? — I took up photography about three years ago during the pandemic. Yes, I am the reason the price of film has shot up 3000% and why you had to wait six months to get that new mirrorless you coveted. I was bored. I wanted to make “content.” Fight me. Not…Gig Economy5 min readGig Economy5 min read
Mar 10Member-onlyFilm is Dumb.There I said it. In 2023 there is virtually no reason to shoot film. It’s expensive. It’s inconvenient. The process is slowwwww (especially if you don’t develop yourself). People who shoot film love the word artisanal and beanies. So why do I want to master it? Currently have two film…Photography5 min readPhotography5 min read
Oct 5, 2021Member-onlyMy Very Few Thoughts On Dave Chappelle.Dave Chappelle’s latest (and final?) comedy special “The Closer” premiered on Netflix today. The comedian took this opportunity to double and triple down on his thoughts on race, gender, and sexuality — his opinions and jokes on these subjects have left many people raw. Chappelle’s Netflix curtain call has brought…Dave Chappelle1 min readDave Chappelle1 min read
Oct 1, 2021Member-onlyNOT A REVIEW: Desmond is Not Here AnymoreWhat happens when someone you love can't remember the trauma you can't forget? — I received a DM on Twitter that read, "Shane, not a review request, but I had to share our Black film about healing with you. Desmond's Not Here Anymore just opened the HollyShorts film festival at the Chinese Theatre this past weekend. It stars Emmy winner S. …Short Film2 min readShort Film2 min read
Sep 30, 2021Member-onlyEquivocating Like a Motherfucker: An Open Letter to Chuck DSir, I’ll start with the prerequisite praise. You and the rest of Public Enemy played a pivotal role in centering my blackness. It is why the purpose of this letter is so disappointing. As we all know, R. Kelly, after two-plus decades of being a serial sexual predator, was finally…Chuck D4 min readChuck D4 min read
