More than Muses: Women of Color Shaping the Creative Landscape

Join us on March 20, 2025, at the intersection of innovation and inspiration for "More Than Muses: Women of Color Shaping the Creative Landscape," a momentous event celebrating the indelible impact of women of color in the realms of art, culture, and beyond. Hosted by the New York City Chapter of the BYP Network and Artfullwalls Fine Art Gallery, this event is a tribute to the trailblazers, the visionaries, and the creators who have not only shaped our creative landscape but have also redefined what it means to be a muse.

In honor of Women's History Month, we invite you to engage with an exceptional lineup of artists, speakers, and performers who have distilled their unique experiences into powerful forms of expression and dialogue. Our gathering seeks to illuminate the narratives of women of color who, through their resilience and boundless creativity, have emerged as formidable forces in art and culture.

Whether you're a professional within the creative industries, an art aficionado, or someone who seeks to deepen their understanding of the diverse tapestry of voices that comprise our society, "More Than Muses" promises an enriching experience that celebrates achievements, fosters connections, and ignites inspiration.

Join us as we unfold a day filled with art exhibitions, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and performances, all dedicated to amplifying the voices and visions of women of color. Together, let's revel in the beauty of diversity and the power of community.

Key Takeaways:

1. An appreciation of the diverse roles women of color play as leaders, creators, and innovators in the arts.
2. A deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs experienced by women of color in the creative industries.
3. An expanded network of professionals, artists, and enthusiasts committed to promoting inclusivity in the arts.
4. Actionable insights into fostering environments that support the artistic endeavors of women of color.
5. A renewed sense of community among attendees who are passionate about celebrating diversity and empowering women of color.

MODERATED BY:

Naomi Alabi

"With over 14 years of experience in the fashion and lifestyle industry, I am a results-driven business development professional who thrives at the intersection of creativity and strategy. My focus is on empowering creative entrepreneurs by providing access to educational resources, financial support, and innovative programming through events. As the Business Development Manager at SFWRUNWAY, I am proud to lead initiatives that build a community for designers, artists, and other creatives, helping them scale their businesses and unlock new opportunities.

At SFWRUNWAY, I work closely with our team to deliver high-impact solutions, including tailored mentorship, brand strategy consulting, and access to financial resources, all aimed at enabling our creatives to thrive. We've evolved from a bi-annual fashion event into a vibrant network offering year-round programming that educates, supports, and funds emerging talent. Our work has attracted partnerships with retailers, investors, and influencers, and our community-driven events continue to generate buzz and industry recognition.

I specialize in identifying growth opportunities, forging meaningful partnerships, and developing strategies that positively impact both emerging brands and established businesses. Whether working on high-profile collaborations or guiding creatives in scaling their ventures, my entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on leadership consistently lead to measurable success, including securing retail contracts, increasing brand visibility, and generating millions of media impressions."

FEATURED PANELISTS

Sira Marissa Lewis

SIRA is a multidisciplinary artist whose work seamlessly bridges sound, video, and visual art. A proud New York native with Black American and West Indian roots, her creations are deeply informed by her identity and connection to the Diaspora. SIRA’s artistic journey began in video creation, laying the groundwork for her innovative approach to storytelling across mediums. Alongside her work in video, she explored the world of graffiti, tagging across Harlem and New York City, which instilled in her a bold, dynamic aesthetic that continues to influence her practice.

Her multidisciplinary work spans directing music videos and short films, crafting large-scale paintings and installations, and composing music for cinematic projects. Her contributions have garnered recognition from platforms such as GIRLSINFILM, Teen Vogue, MEFEATER, and GROWN MAG, cementing her status as a creative force. Her inclusion in Jidenna’s Birthright Africa 2022 cohort highlights her connection to the Diaspora’s legacy of creativity and entrepreneurship. She further honed her craft as a SHIFT artist-in-residence at The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (EFA) in New York, where she completed a residency in summer 2024.

Currently, SIRA is a participant in the Bulleit Bourbon and Hypebeast “Pioneer Project." Beyond her artistic endeavors, she uplifts her community through her role in youth Education Programming at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, uplifting the next generation of New York’s creative thinkers.

Paloma Williams

"My name is Paloma Williams, and I am the CEO and Designer of New Agenda Clothing. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I’ve always been a creator at heart, long before I discovered my passion for design. For over a decade, I dedicated myself to dance, aspiring to join Alvin Ailey’s second company. However, the pandemic became a pivotal moment in my creative journey, allowing me to explore new artistic outlets. It was during this time that I began repurposing clothes I no longer wore, sparking my love for upcycling.

I’ve always had an innate sense of style and a keen eye for detail, which naturally led me to styling myself with intention and creativity. This passion has evolved, and I am now expanding my work into styling shoots, with the goal of eventually focusing exclusively on projects that feature my own designs.

What fascinates me about upcycling is the ability to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces—designs that can never be replicated. This passion for originality continues to drive my work today. Currently, I am a full-time second-year student at LIM College, majoring in Visual Studies with a minor in Fashion Merchandising.

My inspiration comes from the belief that lasting brands are built over time. While trends may rise and fade quickly, true artistry leaves a lasting impression. Every garment I create tells its own story, meticulously crafted by hand with care, intention, and passion."

Ashley Buttercup

Ashley is a Brooklyn based gouache and acrylic painter documenting time through figurative painting.

​" I am interested in the art of genuine unguarded moments that unfold "when nobody is looking." I've discovered that my most authentic self emerges in unscripted hours."

​​She received her B.A. at Temple University, where she studied art direction and studio art. Her works have been featured in the infamous Macy's window displays in NY twice, Harlem's Fashion Row, Apartment Therapy, Peg Alston Gallery, and exhibited in Japan, New York, LA, and Philadelphia.

Stevia Ndoe

Stevia Ndoe (they/she) is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer from Chicago, IL, whose work explores the intersections of aesthetics, gender, culture, and nature to reimagine celebratory and accessible spaces for the Black diaspora. Through photography and sculpture, Ndoe engages with Black histories to envision alternative worlds where Black people rest, collaborate, and exist unperturbed. Centering Black experiences, they investigate themes of identity, time, wilderness, and the body, asking, “How do we form identity outside of our physical bodies?” Grounded in anti-colonialist practices, Ndoe seeks to deconstruct traditional art definitions and foster a more inclusive, pride-centered narrative of history.

Ndoe had her work displayed at the Gallatin Galleries, 4Elements Studios, The Gallery at 20 Cooper Square, Gallery 37, Baryshnikov Art Center, Belin-Bank Art Center, Harold Washington Library, Hyde Park Art Center, BMO Harris in downtown Chicago, and was published in the New York Times website and newspaper. Ndoe is a recipient of the Gordon Parks Foundation Scholarship (2024), Film Photo Award Finalist (2024), AIGA Worldstudio Scholarship in Photography (2022), "What's Your Lens" Competition in Chicago (2022), the National YoungArts Foundation Honorable Mention Award in Photography (2020 & 2021), received a Gold Key Portfolio Award, 1 Silver Key, and 3 Honorable Mention Awards from the Scholastic Art & Writing Foundation (2020) as well as recognition of their work in the Midwest, and received the Senior Achievement Award in art from the Chicago Public Library Foundation (2020). They are graduating with a BFA in Photography from New York University in 2025.

Performance By:

Judith Ricquel Harris

Judith Ricquel Harris was born in Nassau Bahamas. At the age of three she moved to the United States with her mother where she found her love for acting and singing. At the age of fourteen Judith and her family moved to the island Curacao where she continued to pursue her love for acting through drama school, various productions, and taking part of the entertainment scene on the island. Judith is now currently located in Midtown New York where she is continuing her acting career in the United States.