CAN I KICK IT? Celebrates First Anniversary in Downtown Phoenix
This opinion piece reflects the views and personal experience of contributor Karysma Hicks.
Downtown Phoenix held space for worlds colliding in celebration of Black History Month for this year’s CAN I KICK IT? event, set at Civic Space Park.
In collaboration with Archwood Exchange’s Archwood Community Resource Empowerment Strategy (ACRES) group, Downtown Phoenix Inc. hosted an assemblage of Black business owners, creatives, and community leaders with a means to celebrate the 2024 success rate of Black enterprises filling the Greater Downtown area. Within the last year, 30% of businesses opened were founded by Black entrepreneurs. Due to a third of Downtown’s commerce population being distinctively minority-owned, the city now carries an essence that brings together a redefined sense of culture and community juxtaposed in a manner that is unremarked in surrounding areas throughout the Valley.
From art to music to craft trade and fashion to food, Downtown Phoenix is excelling on levels of eclectic creativity that acts as an ode to historic elements of not only Black culture on a larger scale but also a nod to the culture of different experiences lived in an array of cities and time periods.
Attendees of the CAN I KICK IT? event witnessed a form of this melting pot with ACRES’ selection of vendors and Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s selection of entertainment. With food stations such as Maddie B’s Gourmet Popcorn and Smoke Somethin’ BBQ, guests were able to indulge in food styles developed and valued in Chicago and southern regions of the U.S.
With entertainment such as a fashion show and a live scoring of a feature film, guests were able to experience historic elements derived from the East Coast and beyond.
Taking a Parisian derivative approach to announcing collections via live presentations, The Garment League graced Civic Space Park with a preview of what is to come of their annual fashion show: On Central. Featured in this presentation was a collective of Black designers who took inspiration from Black Fashion throughout the years. However, a message that Tricee Thomas, Founder of The Garment League, wanted to make clear was that Fashion is not conjoined with exclusion. “It’s important for us to participate in events like this and to showcase Black designers because we [Black creatives] are just as talented as the people being highlighted on an everyday basis. We deserve a moment, too.”
Although Thomas finds it vital to display the works of Black designers, she believes it is just as necessary to remain inclusive with model choices. “We were intentional about having everyone involved—from Black and Brown models to White models, from kids and pre-teens to full grown adults. We don’t aim to leave anyone out.” Tapping into the reality that oftentimes when something is labeled ‘Black’ as a precursor, there is a perceived sanctimony that leaves out outside races or makes other groups feel as if they can’t be involved. Just as Black people want to be included in the Fashion and creative world, the fervor has to be returned when it comes to Black-led events and opportunities.
Like their CAN I KICK IT? counterpart, Shaolin Jazz carries a mission of transforming worldly ideas that Black is a precursor for success. Whether it’s a Black-made film, a Black actor, or a Black artist or DJ, society is known to credit minority ideas and creativity by tying it to one’s race. While Black men and women possess qualitative skills and talent, the recognition of their efforts should go beyond the color of their skin and should be designed around the overall craft. “Take Men In Black for an example,” says Gerald Watson, Co-Founder of Shaolin Jazz. “It’s not a Black movie; it is a Sci-Fi movie that just so happens to have a Black lead.”
As the featured film for the CAN I KICK IT event, Men in Black was seen in a new light for those privy to its release date. For those freshly experiencing the Sci-Fi blockbuster, the film came at a unique mark that showcased how powerful music can be when conjoining the scenes with emotion. “When it comes to connecting people visually, it’s necessary to connect people through audio,” recalls Watson as he reminisces on a time that he and his business partner, DJ 2-Tone Jones, would watch martial arts movies whilst listening to Hip Hop tracks in their college days. During this time, they would find themselves feeling an immediate sense of belonging and understanding, which later turned into inspiration for what they’re bringing to communities today—nostalgic enjoyment. “We’re creating a space and a platform for us to tell our stories and to have those stories celebrated.”
DJ 2-Tone Jones brings a historical perspective to why his and Watson’s initiative is so powerful and why it’s a unique way of bringing people together through components of the arts. “We like to show dated films from the 70s through the 90s because it allows us to re-experience a film in a way that gives us a snapshot of what life used to be like then versus how life is now,” says DJ 2-Tone Jones. “It’s a great way for us to make light of how different things are.”
A common theme is the sense of camaraderie. CAN I KICK IT brought together different worlds, different gifted talents, and different groups of people. From music to fashion to food, it all coalesced into one experience—an experience that celebrated a new meaning of inclusivity in Downtown Phoenix.
Karysma Hicks is a full-time creative and visionary that has made Phoenix her newest stomping ground for discovering all things culture–whether it's the arts, food, or fashion.