Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

This Week We Feature Young Professional Shakeem J. Black

Shakeem J. Black is a professional photographer, following in the footsteps of his father John F. Black, a well known photographer in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided
Young photographer Shakeem J. Black is also into printing, designing, and filmmaking and had his hand in entertainment as a vocalist in Jam-line which is now called Relentless Band. Photo: Provided
Young photographer Shakeem J. Black is also into printing, designing, and filmmaking and had his hand in entertainment as a vocalist in Jam-line which is now called Relentless Band. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Some of the work of young professional photographer Shakeem J. Black. Photo: Provided
Modern writer of several genres, Sahara Sanders once said, “Photography is a magical kind of art that allows people to preserve time and moments, and to describe the world the way they see it.”

Twenty-two (22) year old Shakeem J. Black’s first taste of this ‘magical kind of art’ begun in 2011when he would assist his father John F. Black, a well-known local photographer, during the emancipation festivities. He admits that it was not his thing, and would even shun it; however, this all changed when his dad was involved in an accident and someone had to pick up the slack of this growing family business.

Today, young Black of East End, Tortola has found an immense passion for his work and even recently resigned from his job of three years at the BVI Ports Authority to help create and preserve people’s precious moments, from birthdays to weddings, to business, on land, sea, and air.

Getting to know more about Shakeem J. Black

Virgin Islands News Online sought out this young man to delve a bit into his life, goals, inspiration, thoughts and the exciting world of photography.

Shakeem was schooled at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) and is presently a student at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), undergoing a Food and Beverage Management course.

For fun he enjoys spending time with friends, exercising his vocals and penning lyrics. When he is not doing that, Shakeem, along with his brother Shaun J. Black and his dad, would be having fun on top of a mountain, the deck of a boat, perched on a rock, or standing in front of a stage capturing moments.

Apart from photography, he is into printing, designing, and filmmaking and had his hand in entertainment as a vocalist in Jam-line which is now called Relentless Band.

Inspiration

Shakeem’s inspiration comes from his parents and a local business owner in East End. He disclosed that his mother- Jeanette M. Black is now the Human Resource Director at Harneys, climbing up from the rank of entry, thanks to her hunger for education mixed with determination.

He also saw his father, John F. Black, as an inspiration, particularly when he was laid off from Cable and Wireless, now Flow. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he said his father took the bull by the horns and begun doing jerk chicken and then moved into photography. He is now a well-respected photographer in the Virgin Islands (UK).

The third source of inspiration is the owner of DEDE’s Car Rental –James ‘Deadman’ Pickering whose professionalism and great customer service has earned him a high place in this young man’s book.

Advice to youth

We also wanted to hear what advice Shakeem would give to young people and he had quite a bit to say.

He wants the hard working spirit that the territory was once proud of, to return particularly to the young people who sometimes have the perception that governments are to hand them a platter with everything on it.

For the young men in particular hanging out on the block around the corner, under the tree or that junction, Black is urging them to get out and be productive and positive citizens that are drug-free.

Business plans

In the future, this young man aims to be a businessman not only in photography and having a professional studio in the town proper, but into other areas as well. He is, in addition, seriously contemplating furthering his education in the art.

Black pointed out that his proudest moment was when a video they produced for a couple-Bill and Tara- on Peter Island was played before thousands in a Tennessee stadium and they received a lovely email stating how proud the couple was of their work.

“I love it now, I really do love it, the places I end up in, the individuals, it is second to none. I was working but I didn’t realise that I was working. I feel proud to know that coming from where I come from and the places where I work and the knockabout that I took, it feels good to finally be here,” were some of his departing words.

16 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Shakeem J. Black”

  • island girl (16/12/2016, 10:40) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Great stuff, keep up the good work Mr. Black!!
  • Auntie (16/12/2016, 10:42) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Some might say I am bias but I don’t care, continue to shine and do great things, the way our society looks at young men now is dishearten. But seeing a young man embrace what he loves and excel is greatly appreciated take your skills to another level and keep shining. Love you to the moon and back.
  • Huge Fan (16/12/2016, 10:46) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Awsome Shak! I always knew you'd make it! Keep it up and all the best
  • Kristal-K (16/12/2016, 10:47) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    So proud of my brother!
  • cay (16/12/2016, 10:53) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    A great guy
  • Proud Aunt (16/12/2016, 10:55) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    John and Jeanette did a wonderful job inspiring my nephew. Keep up the good work. Stay focus and in everything give God thanks and praise.
    Proud of you.
    Aunty
  • yes (16/12/2016, 11:02) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Shakeem is a good youth! Glad to read something positive this morning amidst all the BS happening lately.

    On another note, check out the Martin Family man.
  • ex cowoker (16/12/2016, 11:07) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good job Black. love your work keep it up
  • Great pick (16/12/2016, 11:18) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    love to see this very positive young man.
  • Positive (16/12/2016, 14:25) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great Pick..... Keep up the good work Shakeem... Keep the Positivity
  • Big Dawg (16/12/2016, 15:16) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok thenn real people
  • Bestie mama (17/12/2016, 04:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    So proud of you Shak. You are so humble and that is what will take you to the other levels. Continue to focus on the positive and you will shine even brighter.
  • ann (17/12/2016, 09:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the young man going places
  • good job (18/12/2016, 23:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep it up and keep going! Best wishes for you..


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.