Meet Jaylin Sutherland | Curator of the People

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaylin Sutherland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaylin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Coming home from college was a culture shock, especially coming from a tiny PWI in upstate New York. Of course I was born and raised in Brooklyn, but coming back as an adult there’s a new world to discover. Add the years of gentrification I missed…it was a whole new world.

Between being an organizer and event curator for the black population at my school and coming back home and not knowing where I could find chill events full of people who look like me, I decided to do what I’ve always done. Create the change I want to see.

Thus, For the Kinfolk was born. I wanted to create spaces for the people who look like me, my kin. Different types of events where we can gather and bask in blackness, black art, black joy.

Following that, we have The Hood Highlight which is our biggest project. New York City is changing everyday, and unfortunately a lot of the places in our black and brown neighborhoods are going away. The Hood Highlight sets out to preserve the memories of those places that we know and love through conversations with the people that were shaped by them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have to say I’m extremely proud of The Hood Highlight project. There’s been so many learning experiences but I’ve gotten to the point in life where I just look forward to the next episode because I know it’ll be even better than the last.

One of my biggest challenges was learning to rely on others. Sure, if i put my mind to it, I really could do it all by myself. But I’ve learned that it really is unnecessary to carry that type of weight all by yourself. Unity is key to the dream (iykyk) for real and by opening my mouth and asking for help, I’ve been fortunate to gain some fire opportunities.

Ultimately, For the Kinfolk is the curation of the people, for the people, by the people and I want the world to know we will ALWAYS have a space where WE are celebrated no matter what. I’ve only grown as a person since starting this journey and I couldn’t have done it without all the beautiful black folk I’ve met along the way so I will always uplift us because we deserve it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I feel like you just gotta have a theme per day.

So there’s gonna be one day to do some cute little instagrammable stuff like Museum of Sex then getting some food not too far probably like Sweet Chick cause we’re still keeping it black owned.

Another day would be something very chill in the day time, get a quick lil corner store breakfast or lunch, eat it at Prospect, walk around, shop with some of the vendors. But at night we gonna get a little active and head out to a function in Queens…most likely Alpha.

Then we’ll have a cool little lazy Sunday, head to a cafe like Lakou or Lips for breakfast and head out to thrift because I just feel like you have to. L Train, Beacon’s Closet, Out of the Closet, whichever.

Actually, you definitely gotta fit in a brunch too. Peaches on Lewis or Savvy Bistro is ALWAYS a vibe.

You meet cool people everywhere to be honest, the vibes just have to be right.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, it’s a heavy list.

Firstly, my mom. In her mind it’s, “You can’t find it? Make it. You don’t like it? Change it.”
She’s the reason I’m able to let mind cook up all kinds of ideas and bring them to life.

Secondly, my mom again. She gave me a talk in the summer of 2023 that I needed to stop pussyfooting around and lock in for real.

Thirdly, Lips Cafe. Being in that coffee shop has truly inspired me in my journey to create spaces dedicated to my kinfolk. It really is more than just coffee there and the vibe I get, the art I see, the conversations I’ve had there are essential to me wanting to do what I do.

Lastly, I’ll end it off with my campus organizations at SUNY Oswego, Bold Black Beauties and Fashion at Oswego. Those were my babies during my senior year, and honestly if I hadn’t went to a PWI I’m not sure I would’ve had the same drive to curate spaces for black folk around me. From the Black Girl Magic Brunch for networking with fellow black women to the Winter Wonderland Fashion Show, I’ve been able to build things that mean something. Shoutout to my former executive boards for making me feel comfortable leaning on others to achieve the bigger picture.

Instagram: @jaylin.mone + @forthekinfolk

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@FortheKinfolk?si=KoEnca-3YO3IL3BY

Image Credits
Image Credits: @guam30cg + @danii__digitals