We had the good fortune of connecting with Kinna LeBlanc and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kinna, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think about risk in two compartments: “Is it Life or Death?” or “What’s the Worse that Can Happen?”. The probability of dying after skydiving is way higher than getting rejected from the dream, job, the project I want to start or the guy I’d like to shoot my shot with. So, I actually like taking risks because, I mean….What’s the worst that can happen?! Nothing beats a failure than never trying.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community? What sets you apart from others?
I like to consider myself an energizing visionary who divides time between creating, teaching, and frolicking through Brooklyn’s bustling streets. I’ve been lucky to work in the creative industry since the age of 16 and started in fashion and entertainment through modeling. It taught me to always be prepared.
How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
I learned quickly how shallow, cruel and dangerous the Fashion/Entertainment industry actually was for black women in the early 2000’s, however I always maintained a sociable personality and used my creativity to keep me afloat. I didn’t realize it then, but combining all aspects of my creative personality helped me stand out with my clothing. because my closet was my canvas during that time. It helped me to roll with the punches and helped me transition from from a struggling model to a tenacious intern before becoming a team leader or a supervisor.
None of it was easy, but it was always fun and there was always a learning curve–the Brooklyn in me naturally finessed each curve before landing in a comfortable spot known as Fine Arts (recently in 2017)
What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
That in the beginning things were extremely rough growing up undocumented in Brooklyn. Everytime I jumped up I literally would hit my head on something and the reminder was always there. I may have also messed up in the beginning by trying “to be successful by a certain time” and spent so much time chasing the flashing lights that I simply did not follow my natural born gifts. Today, I’m like “That’s ok!” Every disappointing moment led to this very point in my life I’ve learned to keep rolling with the punches and finally put my natural born gifts to work, correctly.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok, so I’m from Brooklyn, right…and I’m sure you’ve noticed the ENTIRE COUNTRY wants to live here! So I’d keep it local
I’m a Caribbean girl from Flatbush-Lefferts Garden, so I’d take you through my old ‘hood and we can sightsee the amazing pre-war gothic architecture buildings. Stroll through Prospect Park and people watch old Brooklyn meets New Brooklyn. Dine and meet cool creatives at some of my favorite black owned spots like Aunts et Uncles, Rogers Garden or Blue Nile seafood restaurant in Bed-stuy.
We could stop in my current neighborhood of Crown Heights and visit the Brooklyn Museum, Botanical Garden or any other amazing pop-up installation or exhibit that’s visiting New York for the season. I know it’s on your bucket list, so yes, we can also walk across the Brooklyn bridge and end up in Lower Manhattan, specifically Chinatown and Little Italy. You can be an “I heart NY” tourist and cop a fake bag on Canal street.
I hope you’re visiting in the summer, because NYC has the BEST day parties, for black creatives, buppies and every lover of a woke person in between, we could go to any park in Brooklyn and just be sexy, even post pandemic.
For Friday Night Shenanigans we could keep it local and walk to Ode to Babel– it is cuffin season, or crossover to Franklin Ave to Chevela’s if you’re into Mexican, or hop in a $dollar van down Flatbush Ave. near Barclay’s Center to Sugarcane or Fulton Street to Basquiat’s Bottle if you’re into a good time with the kinfolk!. It’s all a quick and cheap uber ride back to my home in Crown Heights after those drinks start hitting because Basquiats don’t play!
Then I’d send you home, as you look for a new apartment…in Brooklyn! BONG!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shout out my current creative team and circle of sisters: The sk.Artspace Collective. This collective is currently comprised of 9 black female artist, curators and collectors. Together we produce exclusive art events within our community, we create platforms for emerging artists, of color, in our networks, we inspire each other through thoughtful and carefully crafted creative sessions. And most importantly we uplift each other, we listen to each other, we grow together and we work and play together. For the past 3 years, i’ve been forced to level up in art and life simple because of the creative sisters I have at the left, right back and front! shout out to sk.Artspace
I’d also love to shout out my late Mother, Mrs. Clara Junie Valentine- LeBlanc, it’s only been a short pandemic year that she’s been absent in my life, but her words and light guide me daily– If it weren’t for my mother who allowed me to create in every way and supported my free spirit, your beautiful self wouldn’t be reading this today!
Instagram: @kinna_leblanc_creative
Other: Additional Instagram @seejanestyle @skartspace
