Before murals spoke across Buffalo’s streets, Johnfredrick—known as FredzDaArtist—was a young boy using crayons and Lincoln Logs to drown out the chaos at home. What began as survival through creativity grew into a powerful legacy of healing, mentorship, and purpose. From military service and mental health battles to founding The Gallery at Seneca, his journey is a testament to resilience and the power of intentional creation. This blog dives deep into how one artist turned pain into purpose and is now building space for the next generation to do the same—through art, healing, and community.

This feature dives into the creative journey of Riq—co-owner of Distorted Kicks and founder of LaVie Factory. From custom pieces in high school to leading one of Buffalo’s rising creative brands, Riq’s path is built on patience, purpose, and pure vision. The blog explores his early influences, the story behind LaVie Factory, his impact in the community, and his future plans to open a space where others can learn and build. This is more than fashion—it’s the blueprint of intentional creation.

The Legacy of Creation: Black Excellence Lives Beyond February

As Black History Month comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible stories we’ve had the privilege to share—stories of resilience, creativity, and innovation. From art to fashion, wellness to community care, Black creators are shaping the culture in real-time.

The Visionary World of SCKY REI: An Interview with Skylar Reed

From North Omaha to St. Louis, SCKY REI fuses anime, Black culture, and storytelling into bold creations across design, illustration, and music. His passion for community makes him a perfect fit for our platform.

Tap in and get inspired!

The Art of Becoming: Bree Gilliam – Now Live!

Our latest blog on Bree Gilliam is live on puresoulcommunity.com and CommunityXSOUL Substack!

Through Paintphoria, Bree turns art into storytelling, activism, and connection—amplifying Black and Brown narratives with depth and intent.

Read her full story now!

The Art of a Smile: Dr. Leon Butcher’s Journey

Join us in welcoming Dr. Leon Butcher to Connect with Creators! 🦷✨ A passionate dentist, he’ll share his journey to dental school and answer general dental care questions at his own pace.

We’re grateful for his time and dedication—stay tuned to connect and learn from his experience!

Taya’s Journey: Wellness, Flavor & Purpose

From personal wellness to community empowerment, Taya created Hydrated by Honey to inspire self-care through cold-pressed juices. Her mission? Transforming lives, one bottle at a time.

Read her story and stay tuned—hit Subscribe for updates on features, events, and more!

Creator Spotlight: Akai | Escapades

The latest Creator Spotlight is now available! Stay in the loop with new features, event announcements, and more. Simply hit the Subscribe button in the top right corner to stay connected and never miss an update.