Inspirational read: I read an average of 40 books a year. The one that’s been on my mind lately is The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South, by Michael W. Twitty. It’s part historical document and part personal narrative, and it traces, through Twitty’s family history, the impact of chattel slavery on how we eat, specifically as southerners and as Black folk.
Organizational tool: The Passion Planner helps me tremendously. If I don’t write things down by hand, it’s easy for me to forget. It forces me to plan out my week by day and then by hour.
Emerging talents: Jabari Jacobs, whose sense of color and playfulness is matched by his strong technical execution and singular vision. Kayla Reefer, who, as a director of photography and photographer, brings a sense of intimacy and connection to the portraits she makes. Also, Heather Sten, who shoots people on film with such weight and honesty; each of her images is just luscious.