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Ok so boom. I appear at @afropunk for the first time, leading a kickass team on our #ShareBlackStories activation. I dress up a lil. I become a sought after model by AP, The City of New York, Refinery 29. I am surrounded by warmth and love of my #Instagram and #Facebook family. I exchange words with Spike Lee and Elaine Welteroth. I take portraits in between managing the activation. I am alive. #afropunkbrooklyn #afropunk #afropunk2019

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 24, 2019 at 8:44pm PDT

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Still with me? Let’s get into the physical space. The #shareblackstories hashtag come to life with afrofuturistic landscapes and color palettes drawn from artists on Instagram. African mud cloth symbols that each tell their own story. An African throne room. A reclaiming of frescoes. limited edition fans. The clouds aren’t even the limit. Come visit us @afropunk tomorrow or in Atlanta in October 🎉✔️ #proud

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 24, 2019 at 9:12pm PDT

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Woke up in the same good dream. #Day2 #Afropunk #afropunkbrooklyn

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 25, 2019 at 5:37pm PDT

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Oh! You want to see some of the top looks I shot! Um, do you have a moment for our lord and savior – E V E R Y O N E ?!😍 #shareblackstories #afropunk #afropunkbrooklyn #afropunkphotography

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 24, 2019 at 8:59pm PDT

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Quite possibly the coolest part of this whole ordeal was running into Instagrammers – models, photographers and brands I’ve followed for several years. Innanet heroes. I love their presences, authenticity, and creative execution. To be able to say “welcome to something i built, can I share it with you?” made me realize I’ve already arrived at that “unattainable” point I was aspiring to. Just because they forged a way and “did it” before me doesn’t mean I am falling behind or running late. I was supposed to meet them on an equal playing field, exactly in this moment. Just a reminder that your journey is not supposed to look like anyone else’s. There is nowhere that you’re supposed to be that you aren’t. We’re right here. #weseeyou #afropunkbrooklyn #afropunk2019

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 25, 2019 at 5:55pm PDT

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Afropunk = destination for fantasy and futuristic LEWKS. Tag yourself. I’m the baby with both phone and juice in hand at all times. #afropunk #afropunkbrooklyn #afropunk2019

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 25, 2019 at 5:45pm PDT

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A short story about human connection. I met Yoruba artist @laolunyc through @brittjohnz and associates this weekend. We caught one slow moment away from the gorgeous crowds of @afropunk – where I could see the Sacred Art of The Ori up close for the first time. [1/3]

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 26, 2019 at 5:23pm PDT

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[2/3] As I started saying my goodbyes to @laolunyc and team, he looked at me quizzically, and smiled. He popped out a white marker from thin air. “Can I paint your face?” He offered. I froze. I nodded. This mattered to me for a number of reasons. Being American-born, I’ve lost so much context around my country’s art and symbols. 🇳🇬 Here he was, offering to paint my Igbo soul onto my skin. “In Yoruba, Ori literally means your essence, soul and destiny.” The next day, I looked at my Day 2 outfit, and what do you know..✨

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 26, 2019 at 5:34pm PDT

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[3/3] I felt like family, like we were instantly connected. The way all Nigerians are. He showed me the side of his hand that you don’t always see – the imperfect side. The scratchpad. His daughter gave me two parting lines of advice: 1) “Mind your business.” 2) “Smash that like button!”

A post shared by Joy Ofodu (@joyofodu) on Aug 26, 2019 at 5:38pm PDT