We had the good fortune of connecting with Kencovia Jean-Baptiste and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kencovia, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
As part of a family that has been blessed with natural creative gifts, growing up in The Bahamas, this story begins more than twenty-five years ago. I grew up in a household with a grandfather that was a professional fisherman and farmer, an uncle that often used me as a muse for his oil paintings, and a grandmother that cooked and baked everyday. I would tag along as she took her baked goods to be sold at the neighborhood convenient store. Aunt’s who embroidered and sewed garments and home décor, and a mother that made jewelry and sold them to the women that she worked with. It was a household, where the smell of fresh baked bread and oil paint along with the humming sounds of a sewing machine was quite normal. I was often encouraged and allowed to express myself creatively without boundaries. And to appreciate fine art and culture through my expression. As I matured and started to come into adulthood, I’d realized that I could not avoid the creative bug as I constantly found myself in a nostalgic mode that would nudge me to make a quick run to the craft store to make something that would fulfill that feeling. Almost instinctual, I decide to make something, put my hand on it, and it comes to life. Today, I continue to live my life through a creative lens, and find beauty is everything. Last year, I started a small jewelry business, ken.co.via Unique Artisan Jewelry, which is now a permanent fix to those nostalgic moments that I often revisit. I am able to pay homage to my creative island lineage and Bahamian culture, while continuing with what started as a growing bond to a mother-daughter relationship. These moments are crafted and shared with patrons that appreciate a niche product through unique handmade jewelry pieces.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My self title brand was created with two things in mind. One, I wanted to represent and tell the story of my Bahamian culture and journey through beautifully crafted jewelry pieces. And two, I was tired of wearing earrings that were heavy, and caused discomfort. I was tired of compromising beauty for pain. And so the goal was too test crafting mediums that would be easy and light. I discovered polymer clay, and decided that this element would be the medium of choice for my pieces. Authenticity and true representation of self, no matter where I reside, has always been at the forefront of my life. And so I take pride in the fact that these are the tools that drive me in my creativity. These are the tools that help me tell my story in the most authentic way. These are the tools that allow me to seek elements that speak to me as I develop collections. I make it a point to create pieces that express the true beauty of it all…who I am. The journey has not been easy. But as they say, “Anything that is worth having, is worth fighting for.” Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new, and so I remain open and take my lessons as they come. I create pieces that I would wear. And as I evolve and change, so will my style. It is my goal to connect with women around the world that finds this style appealing and also represents their true authentic self.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Southern Style Breakfast- Atlanta Breakfast Club A Taste of Nature – Atlanta Botanical Gardens and seasonal dining at Longleaf Restaurant Curated Shopping and a Quick Bite – Ponce City Market Any Entertainment event happening at City Winery is a must. Relaxation and Great Ambiance – Highland Cigar Co. Picnic – Piedmont Park Curated Shopping in the Westside Provisions District and a Quick Bite at YEAH! Burger Daring and Fun – iFLY Atlanta and Chattahoochee River Tubing Exercise and Meditation – Stone Mountain Curated Shopping – Little Five Points

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many that I can attribute and give thanks for their efforts, support, love, mentorship and encouragement. The women in my family, my husband and son will always be number one. But I would like to share a pivotal moment that deserves further recognition. I grew up in the church and was quite active. My favorite thing to do was sing, it was a hobby that I shared with my family and childhood friends. Although, as a kid, I was allowed to creatively express myself my personality was still very shy and reserved. At 15 years old, my step-father saw an advertisement in the local newspaper. It was an audition call to try-out for an opportunity to be a part of one of the most well respected and cultured youth groups in the country, The Bahamas National Youth Choir. My mother took me to the audition that same evening, and to say the least it was a total failure. It was an open venue that had a minimum of 80 persons listening and via for a coveted spot. I was so terrified, that my voice cracked during the acappella portion of the audition and I burst into tears and stormed out of the venue. The ride home was quiet, and I knew I didn’t make the cut. Two days later the house phone rang, and my grandmother passed the phone to me. It was the director of the choir, Mr. Cleophas Adderley, telling me that I was selected to be a part of the choir and will be singing in the 1st soprano section. I told me that he understood that it was fear that crippled me and was willing to work with me. I screamed throughout the house, it was truly a pause for celebration. I was a part of the choir for 4 years, and during that time I was trained to not only sing, but also in the art of performance. My shyness and reserved qualities quickly went away. Mr. Adderley had set such a high standard to follow, and not to mention, disappointment was not an option. As we travelled the world and competed, he continued to push me and my choir mates to not be afraid and timid. To speak up and be affirmative in our resolve, holding our heads high and looking directly into the eyes of our counterparts. He trained me to face the world, head on. These are life lessons that are invaluable, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity. And so I shoutout, The Bahamas National Youth Choir under the tutelage of Mr. Cleophas Adderly. An organization that changed my life, and will always be considered a pivotal moment.

Website: https://www.kencovia.shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ken.co.via/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kencoviajeanbaptiste/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kencoviai

Image Credits
Creative Director: Kencovia Jean-Baptiste Photographer: Steven Jean-Baptiste Styling and Jewelry: Kencovia Jean-Baptiste