AphroChic Magazine: Issue No. 10

Issue 10. We made it! When we started writing this magazine, we hoped we’d still
be here to write a 10th issue, but it seemed so far away. Now it’s here, and it hardly
feels real. 2022 is drawing to a close and we feel happy and blessed to be here to see
the holidays come, the ball drop, and to welcome a new year. 2022 has been a busy
one. In this issue, we are beyond excited to share with you all of the things we spent
the year working towards, starting with the official release of our brand new book.
AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home is the type of book we’ve always dreamed of writing. We take you
into 16 amazing Black homes while exploring our long journey home as Black people in America — a journey that we’re still on.
But the best thing about this book is that we don’t have to just tell you about it anymore. In this issue we give you a sneak peek
into the pages of the book so that you can see what all the fuss is about.
And we haven’t just been writing. This year AphroChic made its first foray into filmmaking with a 15-minute short documentary
looking at the stories of Baltimore’s Black community as the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 crisis.
Check out our look at Baltimore and the lessons it has for the rest of the country in this issue’s City Stories.
In 2022 we’ve seen amazing work from some of our favorite creatives in every field, all offering us a better look at our
history and culture. World-renowned pianist Lara Downes talks about her journey as a Black woman through the world of
classical music, introducing us to Scott Joplin, whose Ragtime compositions set the stage for the ascendence of jazz. Then we
go from the recording booth to the table, where chef Rock Harper is taking us all to school with his next-level fried chicken
sandwiches. The celebrity chef’s new concept, Queen Mother’s, isn’t just serving up massive, perfectly cooked portions with
its mouthwatering, artisanal sandwiches. It’s pushing us to take a long look at the history behind the stereotypes to see the
role fried chicken has played in bringing our families together since before the Civil War, setting the stage for a billion dollar
industry that targets but does not include us.
Hungry for more, we stay at the table where chef Rashad Frazier of Camp Yoshi is cooking up holiday goodness. The
outdoor chef is coming inside to treat us to recipes for a full holiday meal — with a cocktail for after dinner. Then it’s back into
history where the newly released fashion brand Arthur Ashe is reminding us what it means to live like an icon while artist Jas
Knight shows us ourselves from another angle with his quiet yet beautiful portraits of Black women. Celebrity designer Mikel
Welch takes us into the Hamptons resort he’s created in his New York apartment. And in Civics we celebrate the results of a
historic push for voter registration, looking at how our vote saved American democracy and why this year it’s more important
than ever. Then we finish with a look at the Woman King, Viola Davis’ triumphant yet controversial work of historical fiction,
taking the opportunity to question who is really responsible for teaching history and where does the problem with how our
stories are told really lie?
2022 has been another long year. It’s easy to feel worn out. We get tired too. But we also get inspired by our culture and our
community, our music, art, and history. Most of all, we get inspired by every chance we get to share it all with you. So welcome to
the end of 2022. We hope this issue helps you sit back, put your feet up and relax. You’ve earned it.
Issue 10. Still can’t believe we made it…
Jeanine and Bryan speaking
Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason
Founders, AphroChic
Instagram: @aphrochic
about their new book,
AphroChic: Celebrating the
Legacy of the Black Family
Home, at the Future of Home
conference in Manhattan.
editors’ letter