YEP and Ace Hotel present "Queens of New Orleans". This is an exhibition following the calendar project of the same name by Youth Empowerment Project and Three Keys. The Queens of New Orleans calendar showcases twelve queens in our community, many of them mothers, caretakers, advocates – roles often minimized in our society. This exhibition celebrates these queens and the hope for a future where women, girls and female-identifying persons have the agency and power to live as freely and as magnificently as they please. It will be ongoing until June 30.
The official opening event was held Friday April 23 2017. The first segment was a panel discussion entitled "Inside Voices" about black women leading in digital and physical spaces. Panelists included: Whitney Mitchell, Carla Williams, & Shanti Broome.
Following the discussion was a photography experience hosted by DeOrin Payme called Visual Alchemy. Based out of New Orleans and spanning all over the world, it is a sensory journey for all to take part. Originally from California, DeOrin has been creating with the medium of photography since childhood and professionally, since 2009. He relocated to New Orleans in 2012 after visiting and falling in love with the culture of the city.
The goal of Visual Alchemy is to capture the beauty of nature and the cultures of the world, while telling stories in order to bring empathy with the subjects.
Payme created an ongoing photo series entitled Enthroned. This series showcases the beauty of black femininity and the city of New Orleans.