Kenneth Grant Inzpirations partners with One Daytona to host African American exhibit

DAYTONA BEACH — The owners of Kenneth Grant Inzpirations photography and design studio this week will present their second annual 'rePresent" exhibition highlighting positive images of African American men and women in Volusia and Flagler counties.

The photo exhibit opens to the general public on Wednesday and runs through Feb. 9 at One Daytona, the entertainment/retail complex across the street from Daytona International Speedway. The show is part of the area's Black History Month festivities.

"What we wanted to do is not just have pretty pictures," said James Carey, the co-owner of Kenneth Grant Inzpirations whose photos are featured in this year's rePresent exhibit. "What we wanted to do is raise awareness of some of the issues that face the African American community and to also have positive imagery for the youth coming behind us. We understand if they see better, they'll do better."

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Exhibit expanded to eight days this year

Carey and his wife LaToya, the other co-owner of Kenneth Grant Inzpirations, moved their business in September 2021 from South Daytona to a new year-round location at the Shoppes at One Daytona on the corner of West International Speedway and Bill France boulevards in Daytona Beach.

The photo/design studio, at 1808 W. International Speedway Blvd., is named after the couple's two sons, Kenneth, 8, and Grant, 12.

The Careys held their inaugural rePresent exhibition in February 2021 as a two-day event at One Daytona. That event drew 2,000 people, including groups from other parts of the state.

This year's event has been expanded to eight days and was launched with an invitation-only preview showing on Monday evening as well as a VIP reception on Tuesday.

Exhibit sponsors include One Daytona, Synergy Billing, Lowell and Nancy Lohman, Michelle V. Carter, Halifax Health and the Hard Rock Hotel-Daytona Beach.

The free exhibit will be open to the public from Wednesday through Feb. 9. The exhibit will be held at One Daytona, 1 Daytona Blvd., Suite G600, in the storefront space between Pink Narcissus and GameTime. It will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. weekdays, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

'Read the stories'

The Careys in putting together this year's exhibit, asked for suggestions through social media channels to learn about some of the people who are doing inspirational things in the community. They received hundreds of recommendations.

The couple compiled a collection of 90 portraits of African American role models in Volusia and Flagler counties who personify success through education, business, art and more.

Some of the subjects featured in this year's exhibit include Dr. Kideste Yusef, a professor at Bethune-Cookman University, Volusia County Councilmember Barbara Girtman, Derrick Collins, who runs the Mr. and Mrs. Mentoring Program in Daytona Beach, Crystal Joy Draper, owner of Kinetic Expressions Dance Academy in South Daytona, and nine of Volusia County's 16 African American firefighters.

Each photo in the exhibit includes a description of the subject and his or her life story.

"We use pretty pictures to draw people into learning their stories," said James Carey.

Michelle Carter, one of this year's exhibit sponsors, told attendees at Monday night's preview showing, "I would encourage you to not just look at the photos. Read the stories."

Carter oversees the Embassy of Hope Foundation, the Daytona Beach charitable nonprofit she started with her son, former NBA star Vince Carter.

James Carey said he and his wife deliberately chose to focus on everyday people from all walks of life that are making a difference in their community, as opposed to highlighting sports stars or entertainers.

"The mainstream media too often seems to only highlight African Americans who are either athletically gifted or have talent to rap or sing. It makes our young people feel like if they aren't athletically inclined or have musical skills, their lives are of less value," he said. "We wanted to show there are many different avenues to achieve success."

Also on display are several African American art pieces and other artifacts.

The exhibit includes a free glossy magazine that explains the concept for the "rePresent" show as well as a sampling of some of the photos from the show and the importance of providing young people with mentors.

The goal, said Carey, is to replace the negative depictions and narratives of African Americans that are so prevalent in the mainstream media with positive imagery that can inspire young people and instill them with a sense of pride and hope.

This year's rePresent exhibit will include a Youth Day on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. That day's event will be an opportunity for children to view the exhibit as well as meet former NFL great Marcus Pollard, at 1 p.m., along with some of the other individuals whose portraits are part of this year's show. Pollard currently serves as director of player development for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For more information, call 386-243-5532 or visit kginzpirations.com.

News-Journal reporter Clayton Park contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kenneth Grant Inzpirations hosts Black photography exhibit