ACE

Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy

wordpress

CapNY Relocation Stories: NYC to Catskill with Actress/Bartender Charisse Bellante

By

Charisse Bellante is an actress, bartender, Pilates instructor, drummer…just to name a few of the things she does. Born and raised in Kansas City, she moved to NYC when she was 18 years old. After living there for 21 years, at the end of April, she decided to take the leap to start a new life in the village of Catskill.

We interviewed Charisse about her relocation experience, and also asked her to share some of her favorite cocktails. Check out how to make “The Sunshine Kid” and “Call You Later” in the video below! If you try them out, please tag us and Charisse on Instagram or Facebook!

Charisse’s CapNY Relocation Story

So, Charisse, tell us how you ended up here in the Capital Region.

For 21 years, I managed a bar, taught Pilates five days a week, and was back and forth to auditions, I was doing so much. So, I decided to give myself the gift of being in and around nature…somewhere peaceful. On a rental website, I saw an apartment in Catskill and before even visiting, signed a lease, packed up and decided to walk into the unknown. I wanted a new creative place with space and room to explore how I was feeling.

What are some of your first impressions of this place and the people who live here?

Aesthetically, Catskill is gorgeous and the people have all been cool and friendly. I ride my Vespa around and recently, drove it to the laundromat and people told me I look like I’m in Paris. I responded with, “This is my Paris.”

This area is diverse with cultures and people. I find many people who have relocated here, and there’s a strong creative vibe. It’s going to be cool to stay and create something here.

What’s your plan for work?

Before the pandemic, I was working at a new bar in Tribeca, trying to build some “street cred” in the quiet location the bar was located in…I’m not sure if they’re going to reopen after this. As far as teaching Pilates is concerned, I’m looking to set roots here in Catskill and go down to the city once a week to meet with clients. Most initial acting auditions are done through video these days, unless you get a call back or they’re really serious about you. This gives me some flexibility.

I’ve always wanted to create a “movement lab” – a crossover between a free creative space and a community center…It’s been a huge dream of mine. This could be the place where I start there. I plan to stay in the Catskill area for the next year at least. I think I’d like to buy a place here.

Connect with Charisse!
Instagram
Facebook

Black Lives Matter

By

The murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests left us reeling last week. We steadfastly support Black Lives Matter and the protests over systemic racism and the police brutality that have plagued black and brown communities throughout our nation’s history.

We’ve decided to channel our grief, outrage and energy into support of black-owned businesses. To that end, we’ve created a Google map highlighting black-owned businesses in the Capital Region that people can download and access on their laptops, tablets and mobile devices. This map is informed by lists that are already being compiled by organizations and individuals in the Capital Region, but we know that it isn’t complete. We’re asking for your help in adding businesses to it.

This map will become a permanent project and asset on the ACE and CapRegionNY websites, and we’ll continue to build and develop it with community input. We will also continue to promote and support black-owned businesses in our articles and content. If you have or know of a business you’d like to nominate, please let us know. We are committed to working together to support higher rates of black business ownership and entrepreneurship, and would like to work with you to understand, expand, and support the needs of black businesses.

ACE is committed to making the Capital Region a better, more inclusive, and more equitable place. We are ready to help, assist, stand by, and partner with people and organizations who are doing amazing and important work to create real, profound, and permanent change.

Cap Region Entrepreneur Highlight: Kaciem Swain

By

Kaciem Swain was born and raised in Arbor Hill and the South End of Albany, in an underserved community. His plan was to move away when he had the chance, but for his whole adult life, he’s stuck around to serve those very same communities he grew up in. Currently, he’s in the midst of launching a few entrepreneurial ventures, including Capital Curbside. His goal is “to hire creatives of color, bring them into my company, give them equity in it.” We were curious to learn more…

How did you become an entrepreneur?

I’ve worked for several corporations, and I tried to contribute ideas or to get them to see things differently, but they didn’t want to. I’ve been working since I was nine. My dad told me it was time for me to start learning how to make money. I was always mowing lawns or helping him with some side hustle. My father taught me how to take care of myself so I could help take care of others. I’ve been entrepreneurial my whole life. I also work part-time for AVillage, where I instilled my vision of a Night Market.

Can you talk a bit more about the South End Night Market and its mission and importance in the Albany community?

AVillage has always been an advocacy platform that focuses on social justice issues, including economic and health disparities in the community. Originally, the organization started running a small farmers market on Saturdays. I didn’t think it fit what the community or market needed at the time. I had a vision for a night market where people could stop by when they get out of school or on their way home from work. We decided that the South End Night Market would run on Thursdays from 4pm – 7pm. This would be best way to reach the people who need access to food, fresh veggies, etc.

This space was designed for black people and people of color to come and create equity, ownership, and black wealth. We’re currently looking to add more black vendors to the market.

Aside from the Night Market, you’re launching Capital Curbside. Tell us about your vision for this new business.

After the market launch, I started thinking…what if there was a way for these foods to be delivered to people who can’t make it to the market? What if there was a more economical delivery service for markets & restaurants? The amount of money GrubHub and DoorDash are taking from restaurants is substantial. I started asking myself, what is a better way to serve small local restaurants and provide a better service than these apps? That’s where Capital Curbside comes in.

In January, I signed a lease for a new restaurant in Troy (more to come on that) and in March, when COVID-19 became more serious, I decided to get Capital Curbside going. These common app based services have no standard operating procedure across the line for PPE. The drivers aren’t concerned with building relationships with the restaurants. All of our workers are on payroll and we have a weekly team meeting. We’re starting deliveries this week! If you’re interested in learning more about our services, please visit our website and give us a call.

What piece of advice would you like to leave fellow entrepreneurs and/or our readers?

You don’t need to work for somebody else. Ultimately, what you’re giving to company is your intellectual and creative capital. I’m always looking for people who are willing to collaborate, do the work themselves, and share equity in a project. A lot of times we want to come into a pre-developed infrastructure and make change when ultimately, you can be the change yourself.

Connect with Kaciem & Capital Curbside!
Facebook
Instagram

A Freelancer & An Activist: Jade Warrick, “TrashKid”

By

Jade Warrick is a powerhouse artist and freelancer. Known in the art world as “TrashKid,” you may remember her from our “Freelancer February” series. Jade is not only a Cap Region icon because of her creative graphic design & energetic spirit, but because of her active voice in the communities she’s a part of and her passion for making art accessible for everybody. We sat down with Jade to ask her what she’s been up to over the past few months – especially during the COVID-19 crisis and the Black Lives Matter movement.

So much has changed since we last spoke in February. How has your business/work changed?

Healing While Black

Business has been decent for me. I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of marketing and graphic design work and I’m enjoying that. I think a lot of people are getting businesses off the ground and working on things they never had the time to. I’ve been working with a few podcasters, Didi Delgado being one. I’ve also done some commission work with Healing While Black, LLC, an amazing black voice. I’ve been wanting to do more TrashKid stuff – doing more comics and drawings – but it has taken a backseat due to the commission work.

I have some side projects going on. I’m working on building a website that helps promote the work of people of color. I’m also working on a COVID-19 graphic novel with Noelle Gentile, a local actor and children’s author. The book is geared toward youth — it talks about what the pandemic means, missing your friends, etc. It’s a living document and is being changed all the time due to new information, events taking place, etc. We’re hoping to release that in mid-June.

Can you tell us a bit more about the website you’re building to help promote the work of black artists and artists of color?

I’ve been wanting to build this website for a while, but never had the time until now. I want to give my friends and creatives – especially those who aren’t very good at marketing nor have a website — a place where people can see their art and contact them if they’re interested in commissioning them for work. This is a resource for all people, but the idea is to promote artists of color. It’s a place where people can find under-looked black artists and support their business. The logo will consist of a pigeon. Pigeons are looked down upon and seen as gross, but they’re very smart birds. I think it’s an interesting reflection of how people see urbanized black culture.

I regularly see you on social media using art to build community. What’s your latest community building project?

I’m working on mural at YouthFX in downtown Albany today (on Friday, 6/5) while youth in the community will hold a protest and have the floor to speak about how they feel about the current state of the world. I’m also going to be working with Albany Barn, Albany Center Gallery, D. Colin, and others to encourage our black youth to paint murals downtown. Youth are going through a lot right now, not only the protests, but there is still a pandemic going on. People are still struggling and unemployed, kids aren’t going back to school. Kids are angry about a lot. I would’ve loved this type of opportunity as a kid. I wasn’t around art as much as I would’ve liked to and I would’ve been a stronger artist if I had been. I never really got the opportunity, my parents were too busy raising their kids and trying to get by.

Any last words of advice you’d like to leave for our readers?

The world is really negative right now. I’ve been trying to help as much as I can and help people feel less alone. I’ve found positivity through connecting with my community – getting in touch with people who feel the same way as me. If you reach out, many organizations will welcome you in with open arms and provide you resources to join workgroups.

Connect with Jade!

Instagram
Facebook

Creative Economy Updates and Other Good Stuff!

STAY CONNECTED!