ACE PEOPLE

Jay Zhang Photography: CapNY LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneur

March 23, 2021 By Rio Riera Arbogast

Upon meeting Jay Zhang, I was drawn in by his warm and grounded presence. His company, Jay Zhang Photography, is committed to both outstanding visual representation, as well as community care. As a self identified queer person of color, Jay celebrates a wide spectrum of couples. And, his investment and love of the Capital Region is evident throughout his work. From events by non profits to celebrations of LGBTQIA+ identity, Jay shows what is possible when sincerity meets vision and skill.

Love is Love: Inclusive Wedding Photography

Jay’s engagement and wedding photography cleverly infuses each client’s personality into the documentation of their big day. Just one glance at the “Wedding Blogs” portion of his website shows how he celebrates each couples’ unique chemistry. My favorite examples show elated partners snuggling amidst a backdrop of sun dappled mountain ranges, or blanketed in surrealist fog on the Brooklyn Bridge. Wide smiled nieces affix glistening jewelry onto their auntie’s ready neck; husbands fasten each other’s ties while sharing in an excited kiss. Stop what you’re doing, and take a look at his amazing work!

Community Representation And Healing

Jay is also drawn to local events and projects with a favorable community impact. He has worked for a number of local organizations, including My Brother’s Keeper, Alliance for Positive Health and GLSEN, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

Since 2007, he has documented and celebrated National Coming Out Day (NCOD) through his photos. His 2014 NCOD work, “Color Splash,” features queer community members in animated layered images, their bodies and faces awash in rainbow paint, along with their words of wisdom to fellow queers. His 2015 iteration, “Light The Way,” includes portraits of locals holding sparklers, their faces framed by the text, “You don’t have to come out, but you don’t have to be in the dark alone.”

Jay’s projects celebrate people who embrace being “quirky, weird and full of interesting personality traits.” He believes “everyone is multifaceted, it just depends on how much you want to present.” LGBTQIA+, BIPOC and people of all body types are welcome in front of his camera. “I love the community,” he said, “and I want to provide for it.”

Motivated Living in the Capital Region

Originally from Ridgewood, Queens, Jay arrived in the Capital Region to study architecture at RPI in Troy. School prepared him with strong design skills, which later helped him become a professional photographer. He was first drawn to photography as a financially sustainable career. And, he also enjoyed its potential to show and support people, environments and situations. He draws much inspiration from CapNY’s rich creative ecosystem of fellow artists.

Community based projects, including public statement artwork and grassroots outreach initiatives, have contributed to his ongoing inspiration and experimentation. “There’s a lot of fight here,” he shares. “And a lot of energy for people to do things and participate.” CapNY’s relatively small size and central location also provide opportunity for professional and casual travel. Jay’s leadership extends into local athletics as well. He proudly participates in the city’s LGBTQIA+ soccer organization, Albany Empire Soccer Club, as both player and board member.

Entrepreneurial Advice and Future Visions

As an entrepreneur, Jay encourages others to “keep going, because the hardest part is hitting that wall of doubt.” As for his company’s future plans, Jay sees himself continuing with wedding and event work. He remains especially committed to taking on queer couples as clients. Jay’s passion for nurturing a culture of mutual queer creative support is undeniable. “I can offer a rewarding experience (and) other queer entrepreneurs want to do the same,” he says. “We’re in a similar mindset. We want to build each other up and create community while also offering services for the community.” Jay’s sincere and purposeful application of both skill and talent are a shining example of the creatives who call CapNY their home.

Written by: Rio Riera Arbogast

Rio Riera Arbogast is a freelance writer focused on how creative entrepreneurship impacts the Capital Region’s cultural landscape. You can follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @riorawrites.

Author Noelle Gentile: Advocate, Educate, and Love

March 10, 2021 By Maureen Sager

Director, writer, acting coach, and educator Noelle Gentile (age 42) has two remarkable daughters–Isla (age eight) and Lucia a.k.a. “Lulu” (age six). Born and raised in Albany, NY, Noelle spent 13 years in Brooklyn before returning home to Albany with her family after Isla’s birth.

A Family’s Journey

Author Noelle Gentile draws on all her strengths as an advocate and educator supporting her daughters Lucia and Isla, who is autistic and has epilepsy.

Isla’s Diagnosis

Noelle’s daughter Isla was diagnosed with epilepsy in February 2016 and on the autism spectrum in June 2018. (An estimated 30% of people diagnosed with autism have epilepsy, too.) Isla also has global delays. She struggles with side effects from the epilepsy medications. Yet, Isla “deeply connects with other people,” Noelle said. “She has incredible instincts about who other people are.”

It was a long journey. There were several diagnoses, starting with when Isla was 16 months old. An MRI showed non-specific brain damage. Noelle was devastated. “I didn’t understand it,” she said. “I didn’t know what it meant. Both the epilepsy and the autism diagnoses we had to fight for. We were relieved because we had a better picture of what was happening and how to support her.”

Noelle reiterated that a lot of the heartache of having a child with diverse abilities stems from the world falling short of embracing the child with adequate compassion and understanding.

Noelle’s husband has a lot of trauma surrounding Isla’s seizures, and related anxiety. Noelle remarked that it is different for her. She has done a great deal of processing Isla’s journey through her writing and art. Noelle said of herself and her husband, “We understand where each other are, but we’re not fully in the same place.”

Finding Schools and Resources

Noelle described how her family has navigated school, medical, and other systems for Isla’s wellbeing. Noelle said, “I have had to sharpen my tools.” Naturally a people pleaser, she is now less so. “Isla has challenged me to let that part of me go,” Noelle said.

She wishes there had been more resources available at the beginning of her journey through different abilities with Isla. That said, she remembers Isla’s time at The Spotted Zebra Learning Center–an inclusive preschool center in Albany–with gratitude. Noelle is committed to building Isla’s opportunities to flourish, through positive change in the world. “There’s a collective of us that wants to see this change,” Noelle said. Indeed, her dear friend Alyssa said, “Isla doesn’t need to change for the world; the world needs to change for Isla.” Through Make-a-Wish Northeast New York (with help from Make-a-Wish Southern Florida), Isla had her wish to swim with dolphins in Florida beautifully granted. (Make-a-Wish grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses.)

The Story of Two Sisters

In her role as author, Noelle Gentile wrote the children’s book Isla and Lulu from the perspective of Lulu–Isla’s then-four year old sister. Love between sisters personalizes this book’s themes of inclusivity and open dialogue amongst people seeking to embrace those with diverse abilities. Noelle decided to write the book after finding out that Isla was at risk for SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Noelle observed that some people were distancing themselves from her family. The book means “to bring people towards us instead of further away.”

Asked about challenges she has overcome as a parent, Noelle remembered a family vacation on Cape Cod. Her two daughters were playing on the beach when two little girls approached Isla. Noelle felt anxious. Often children who approached often left when they realized Isla was different. But the two little girls stayed on and played with Isla. It turned out that they had a classmate with diverse abilities. Perhaps the world is, little by little, changing for the better.

Living Out Loud

As an advocate, Noelle tries not to center on herself as “Isla’s Mom” in the experience. The book Isla and Lulu and the people it can touch play a large part in her advocacy. She is also “gearing up to do speaking” about Isla’s medical experiences.

I asked Noelle what inspires her advocacy work. She spoke of a miscarriage eight years ago, and how she was not encouraged to speak about the experience. “Where’s our story?” she found herself asking. Noelle emphasized how important it is to see yourself reflected in literature, film, TV. It’s important for the world to respect Isla’s journey. “I want my family to be able to live out loud,” Noelle said.

Written by: Effy Redman

Effy Redman is a memoirist, educator, and disability advocate living in Ballston Spa, NY. She has published work in the New York Times, Vice, Ravishly, and Chronogram, among other places. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from CUNY Hunter College.

LIVING ONLINE Series: Raya Malcolm : Actor | Musician | Devising Artist

March 9, 2021 By Corey Aldrich

How did you become interested in being an actor? How long have you been acting in front of a live audience?

I’ve always loved playing pretend, performing, and watching theatre. But on an 8th grade field trip to Washington DC, we saw a production of Macbeth at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre. I remember my theatre director at the time and I basically clung to each other during the whole performance, absolutely riveted. The show ended and I was like, “I want to learn to do THAT.” I’ve been acting in front of a live audience since probably the 2nd grade. Long enough for me to really miss and appreciate it, given the current pandemic circumstances.

Your public facing self is always so vibrant and effervescent, how do you manage to stay so damn perky?

Haha well, thank ya!! Oh gosh, I don’t know. I like people! I like learning about who they are, what they’re working on, what they’re into. It’s exciting to bear witness to people’s experiences. I’m almost always better for it. So, I guess the possibilities and opportunities to connect with others keeps me peppy. And coffee. I really like coffee.

How has the pandemic affected your artistic practice?

It’s allowed me to really slow down and do some much needed self reflection. Grow up a little bit. Take more ownership of who I am and who I want to be, as a person and as an artist. It’s allowed me to till the soil, if you’ll bear with a metaphor. Tear up old roots and weeds and get the ground ready for new artistic projects to develop.

How is this affecting you financially?

It’s been honestly fine for me. I’m very fortunate to be able to live with my folks (I am extremely thankful for them), which has allowed me to save up some money. Having a bit of a cushion opens up possibilities for whatever my next move will be.

What’s your plan for 2021? Working on anything we should know about?

My plan for 2021 is to kick some serious creative butt!! I’m gonna be working a whole bunch with Troy Foundry Theatre (TFT). We’re bringing back the Trojan Alley Series we created last summer and have two new productions in the works (check us out). I’ve also been regularly singing with Emily Curro & Shannon Rafferty (both local creatives & TFT company members); we’re working towards putting together a set list to hopefully debut live at a TFT Alley Series event. If we ever come up with a band name…. And personally at the moment I am getting things together for a solo road trip across the country. Gonna be a nomad for about 5 weeks and get my senses and mind blown by all this country has to offer. Ready to be in awe of absolutely everything.

What advice would you give to other actors struggling with the same challenge right now?

Giving advice…hmm. First, breathe deeply. And find someone to hug. Hugs are great. More hugs. And then check out how other theatres and actors are coping and adapting with the given circumstances. Notice what resonates with you and follow your intuition. Might lead you to new opportunities you didn’t expect, might lead you to want to drive across the country in search of spiritual growth – who knows. Either way, it’s all good. Keep on the path.

A longtime ACE Contributor, Corey works out of Troy, New York. He runs a freelance consultancy for all aspects of brand development and business process management / development. Current projects include cash flow analysis, strategic market planning, 3rd party project oversight, public relations, event planning and front end visual brand design / design-build projects. He has a focus in not-for-profit arts and mission oriented organizations. In his free time he works on honing his craft as a photographer and guitarist. (corey@2440designstudio.com)

5 Young Black Leaders: CapNY Influencers

February 24, 2021 By Naava Dae

For these five up and coming black leaders, leadership is more than just leading a group or organization. Each show their love for the community in the work they do. Their stories showcase the beauty and necessity that strong leadership provides.

Adaviah Ward: Guiding youth of a future to success!

Adaviah Ward, 26, is one of our young black leaders as a teacher at KIPP/ Albany Community Charter School. A native of the South End of Albany, she observed community problems like gun violence and drug use. These became powerful influences on her approach to leadership. She says, “These things made me want to impact change and do what I can for the young people in my area. I think Albany has endless good opportunities to offer.”

Adaviah’s love for young people led her to be a strong community leader. As a teacher she gets opportunities to impact her students. “My greatest accomplishment as a leader is being able to work with my students and watch them grow. I definitely pride myself in this each day,” she says.

She believes strong leadership starts with who you are as a person. “It’s important for people to be comfortable with you,” she said. “Be responsible and accountable, and remain open minded to growth and guidance from others.” Adaviah knows she exhibits these qualities when she leads, saying, “I am personal with my story. I am receptive and open to guidance. And I am consistently working to get better. I have the heart of a leader.”

Ignorance as an Opportunity for Growth

As a young black leader, Adaviah notices the assumptions that are made about the black community by people not of color. She says, “People who don’t look like us already having thoughts about us. They can be ignorant of our gifts and authentic selves.” But this doesn’t stop Adaviah; instead, it fuels her want to be better. She says, “When someone tells me I can’t, my goal is to prove them wrong. It becomes an opportunity for both of us. It teaches them not to label others and it helps me grow more into the leader I aspire to be.”

Adaviah’s inspirations comes from the community that she serves. She speaks on her family and how each of them play a huge role in her life: her mother’s strength, her father’s determination, her siblings’ encouragement, and her grandparents’/godmother’s religious support all helped shape her qualities as a leader. In addition to her family, Adaviah’s friends and coworkers keep her focused on her goal of continually making change in her community.

Deontae Guy is committing to positive leadership opportunities!

The next young black leader in this series is 19-year old Deontae Guy. A full-time student at Ithaca College, Deontae is involved with the school’s student government, and he will be running for student body president. He also is a member of the public safety department and the information technology department. In addition to his involvement at school, Deontae is a licensed youth and young adult minister, preaching sermons to inspire congregations to live a Christian life.

Deontae genuinely loves to lead. The qualities that he believes are necessary are being vocal, staying true to yourself, and being committed to your goal. He says, “Commitment is key because as leaders we stand for something greater than ourselves.” His three brothers/mentors, Michael Poindexter, Randy Stith, and Liam Staley, all offer him their support, giving him advice in his spiritual leadership as a minister, and how to balance Christianity in daily life outside of church. It was with their help Deontae was able to grow into a stronger leader.

Learning To Be a Young Black Man in a Predominently White Society

Deontae’s environment also encouraged him to develop strong leadership skills. He was born in Albany but lives in the Clifton Park area. He says, “There [Clifton Park] I had to learn to be a young black man in a predominantly white society.” He faced some racial discrimination, especially by administration at the all-white high school he attended. But Deontae wasn’t letting those difficulties hold him back. He says, “While I couldn’t do things the way I wanted then, I could take the experience of people using my blackness against me and pour it into my leadership. I could help bring solutions to those problems.”

Deontae receives his motivation through God. “I’ve tried hanging in the back, but I don’t think I can get away from [leadership]. I think being a leader is just who I am. When God gives you the talent, you can’t run from it. Leading is what I’ve been called to do!”

Theresa Ford is creating safe places for everyone to heal!

Theresa Ford, 26 is a licensed master social worker located in the Capital Region. Additionally, she is working on becoming a doula, and is a healing jeweler. Born in Harlem, NY, and living in NYC most of her life, Theresa noticed a big difference between her hometown and the Capital Region. But her ability to lead is something she can do anywhere, and she has chosen to do so in the Albany area.

To Theresa, leadership is all about honoring safety in yourself and your community, being responsible and sustainable, and valuing what your community looks like. “I do that every day. Encouraging other people to share by creating those safe spaces,” she says.

Healing Herself And Others

Through her leadership, Theresa is able to heal not only herself but others, and that motivates her to keep going. In addition to healing, she encourages others to unite and lead in their own lives. She takes an active role in many young people’s lives. “I am supporting them while they heal. And this is changing the dynamics of their lives and their household. Their world is becoming more positive because of my work.”

Theresa gets a large amount of motivation from her family including her late grandmother. “Even though she isn’t physically here with me, I have a strong connection with my grandmother. I think it is important to connect with your elders especially when leading,” she says. Theresa also receives support and strength from her mother and coworkers. Theresa’s biggest leadership achievement was continuing to work and inspire through 2020 despite all the challenges that it presented. She says, “I worked the whole year as a therapist and a jeweler. I kept true to myself in a moment of adversity. I’m proud of myself for that.”

Ozymandias Mercy Morris Jr. is inspiring through his connections!

Ozymandias Mercy Morris Jr., 27, is a direct support member for the company Lexington Arc, where he supports people with disabilities. He also has a successful art platform on Instagram where he shares his music and love for positive mental wellness. All of these roles in Ozymandias’ life demand strong leadership skills. And Ozymandias definitely possess them!

Using Connections As Community

As a young black leader, Ozymandias builds connections with the people around him. “I’ve lived in Albany my whole life. I lived uptown and downtown; I’ve had friends from different hoods and suburbs. All of these environments gave me new perspectives as I navigated different communities and social systems. That is important to leadership.” He emphasizes learning from people around you, which can only happen when you’re actively seeking connections. “Being there for each other is necessary. Especially for the younger generation, because they need that guidance,” he says.

Ozymandias’ greatest accomplishment is the development of a music program for kids at the Albany Public Library. Impacting young lives for the better is extremely rewarding for him. He says, “Leadership is being able to produce, connect and inspire. I was able to inspire and connect with the kids over my music program. I am happy I was able to do that for them.”

Arielle V. King is prioritizing healthy communities for all!

Having integrity. Using really good listening skills. Knowing how to problem solve in a group effectively. Being confident in yourself and your team. Staying loyal to the groups you lead. These are some of the qualities that make good leadership in the eyes of 22-year old Arielle V. King.

Arielle is a law student located in the DMV area in Washington DC. Her main focus is her environmental justice career path, which will help her advocate for cleaner and healthier communities. She also pushes herself to make other impacts, too. She owns her own small business, Writing Wrongs LLC, that focuses on helping organizations foster communities of anti-racism and safe spaces for students. Additionally, she helped found the club E.L.E.V.A.T.E 518, an all-female club in the Capital Region that is designed to bring women together and bring more visibility to political issues that concern them.

Strong Role Models in the South End

Growing up in the South End of Albany, Arielle always had strong leaders to look up to. She says, “I felt so loved and supported growing up because of the networks I’ve made. Seeing people that look like you in roles that you want is so empowering.” Among the people she admired growing up is her mother, who continues to inspiration Arielle in how she leads today. She also receives support from other black leaders in Albany as well as black women in her career field. She says, “There have been so many men and women who have supported me. They know who they are, and I am grateful for each of them.”

Though Arielle is doing various forms of leadership in her life right now, she believes the biggest accomplishment she made was during elementary school. She says, “In the winter during fourth grade I noticed other kids walking to school without a hat or scarfs. I knew that wasn’t right, and I went to my mom to figure out how I could help.” Arielle began raising awareness of the issue and asking her community to donate winter gear so that she could distribute it to schools for kids who need them. Her initiative provided hundreds of children with coats and winter gear. This coat drive is something that the Capital Region is still doing today. She says, “I think my greatest achievement is still yet to come, but being able to make an impact at such a young age was really amazing!”

This is just a peek into the lives of these young black leaders as they continue their work to making the world a better place. I cannot wait to see what they achieve in 2021 and beyond.

Written by: Naava Dae

Naava Dae is a writer and content creator from the Capital Region. She created her self-titled brand, The Naava Dae in 2017 and uses it to inspire people who encounter her work on multiple platforms. For more content by Naava Dae, visit www.thenaavadae.com and check her out on Instagram @realnaavadae.

LIVING ONLINE Series: Liam Singer, Composer | Musician | Venue Owner

February 22, 2021 By Corey Aldrich

In the spirit of collaboration and best practice sharing, I thought it would be interesting to share perspectives from our fellow creatives to see how folks are getting along as we all craft new ways to practice our craft. This week I interviewed composer, musician and venue owner Liam Singer. He tells us how he has been holding up, and how he has adapted to the restrictions on gatherings and live music. For more on my LIVING ONLINE series, click here.

You are unique. You represent as a creative, and as someone who holds space for the creative community with your coffee shop HiLo and restaurant / performance venue The Avalon Lounge. How are you finding a balance in all those roles right now?

My wife and I opened HiLo in 2017, and Avalon in 2019, so during all those years there wasn’t much of a balance; my creative life was on hold, save for the creative force we were putting into the businesses. It sort of became a “water water everywhere” scenario for me, because I was surrounded by my dream community of musicians who were ready to collaborate and play, and I had zero time or energy!

This past year, due to some downtime from the pandemic, I did manage to get a small album made which felt great. But now my wife and I are going to have a kid. So I’m ready to say bye-bye to creative time for a little while again (which I am completely at peace with).

How has the pandemic affected your businesses and community?

Our community has been pretty resilient through all this – most businesses in Catskill have found a way to stay open. I’d say the biggest auxiliary challenge our community has faced is rising home and rent prices. This is directly due to the newfound popularity of this area. In terms of our own businesses, beyond the financial stress, the biggest bummer has been that they were both conceived of as extremely social spaces. So, we can’t really fulfill their intended purpose right now. Even though we’re keeping them alive, it sort of feels like an extended act of limping along.

The bar at Avalon Lounge. Photo by Alon Koppel.

How is this affecting your venues financially?

HiLo, our cafe, has returned to near pre-pandemic levels in terms of daily coffee sales. A lot of new people have moved to Catskill and are more are visiting on the weekends. This has offset lost sales from those of our regulars who aren’t comfortable coming out right now. Evening sales at HiLo are way down for many reasons, including the current NY state laws that prohibit selling alcoholic drinks without food.

At Avalon, we have just been functioning as a takeout joint through all of this. That space is too daunting to try and operate under the covid-era legal standards of NY. And, too, the standards by which we would personally feel safe and responsible. We would basically need to hire someone to monitor each room, which wouldn’t make any sense. And the place was really made as a performance venue, which it just can’t be right now. So that’s been a big financial hit. The silver lining has been that a lot of people who didn’t really know about our food now realize that we run a dope Korean kitchen in addition to being a performance space.

Overall we’ve survived thanks to two PPP loans and a loan from the SBA. Thankfully, we had the understanding of our landlords and The Bank of Greene County during the early months of the pandemic. Otherwise we’d be toast right now.

Have you been able to find progress over the last year in your own creative endeavors? Explain.

Yes, as I mentioned, I did manage to make a record last year called “The Ocean.” It was a collection of songs I’d sketched out over previous years but hadn’t had time to complete. I kept the production modest – It’s mostly piano-based, with some string and vocal overdubs – so I was able to approach recording in a covid-safe way. I made it with a local engineer, Tyler Wood, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the whole thing. We tracked piano at Scott Petito’s studio, NRS Recording, and the rest at Tyler’s home studio.

I funded the project with a Kickstarter and self-released it… I really wanted to get it made and I’m very proud of it. But I’m past the point of needing or expecting a press push around my stuff – I’m just glad that the people who find it do. It’s very much an ensemble piece with several guest vocalists making appearances. I really look forward to the day I can play the whole thing live.

How are you coping with the whole thing in general?

I’m as susceptible as anyone else to the free-floating anxiety and weirdness that’s out there right now. But I’ve had some good things to focus on in my own life. First, making the album and then getting ready to have our baby has kept me in my own little dream world. It has been frustrating – or I guess I’d say exhausting – as business owners to be put in the position by NY state of being daily safety enforcers re: masks, etc. I’m not sure what a better option would be. But that aspect of things, as well as having to sort of reinvent our businesses every few months, has been tiring.

What’s your plan for 2021?

Babies, dancing outside, who can say? Basically planning 2 months ahead at this point, no more.

What advice would you give to other venue owners and/or musicians struggling with the same challenge right now?

I have little in the way of inspiration or advice there. I will say this: we hosted a couple of shows at Avalon last fall where bands played on our roof, and the audience stood out on the sidewalk below. Really wonderful musicians. All were local players who — pre pandemic — an audience might have come out for and enjoyed. OR, they might have stayed at home and thought “I’ll catch them next month.” In this case, the audience definitely showed up. Their level of attention/emotional involvement in the performance was extremely intense, bordering on spiritual. It was beautiful to see.

The general scarcity of live performance definitely brought home the fact that they were actually witnessing something amazing. Any small venue owner/promoter who is in it because they truly love music knows the struggle of booking a great band and then wanting to scream into the void when you can’t get an audience out to see them. And I have no idea how long it will take. But, when live music is a thing again, I do see a new era in which performance is truly valued by the audience, and not taken for granted. I’m looking forward to that.