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City Gear Celebrates Black History Month - Kea'z Sellers

Lifestyle

City Gear Celebrates Black History Month With Kea'z Sellers

Jan 31, 2024

In celebration of this year's Black History Month, we're amplifying those in the community who are making an impact not just one month of the year, but every day through their talents and ambition.

Tell Us About Yourself!


What's your name? My name is Kea’z Sellers, (also known as KBK)
Where are you from?I am from Conyers, Georgia, but I am currently attending college at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, from which I will be graduating this May 2024 with a business management bachelor's degree and a marketing minor.
What do you do for a living? I am the owner of the sole proprietorship business KBKCUSTOMZ, where I do custom footwork and art pieces for individuals and companies. I also have a clothing brand by the name of KBK APPAREL.

KBKCustomz Customized Air Force Ones

How did you get into the arts and fashion industry?

"What motivated me to pursue my current career is that I have always desired to own a business since I was a child, but I never knew exactly what it was that I wanted to do," Kea'z says.

Even as a kid, Kea'z had an entrepreneurial mindset, finding odd jobs for himself like selling candy, mowing lawns, and washing cars.

"But when I was a child, sports were my primary concern. I played football from elementary school through high school, striving to achieve that goal. However, in 2020, during my senior year, I suffered an injury and tore my rotator cuff, which sidelined me for the entire season," he explains. "I had a momentary realization and resolved that football wasn't something I wanted to pursue further, so I pursued the gift God blessed me with as an artist and started a career in business in art."

His injury was not the only curveball thrown his way in 2020 though. COVID-19 prevented Kea'z from working as hard as he intended due to strict quarantine restrictions. But sometimes, what first seems like a door shutting is another opening, as Kea'z would soon discover.

"When the George Floyd situation happened in May (2020), my former art teacher, Tara Thieleke, asked me to paint her a custom George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery pair of shoes. When I did them, she showed them off, and after seeing the attention those garnered, I realized that I could really turn this into a business," reflects Kea'z. "I started the brand name KBKCUSTOMZ that summer, leading into my freshman fall semester, and it has been a blessing."

Kea'z Sellers sneaker customizer at in store demo

How does your heritage as an African American influence or impact what you do?

Kea'z says, "My African American heritage inspires me to strive and work hard every day for what I find enjoyable, which impacts my life goals as an artist. The historical path of art and fashion in my culture has consistently influenced various aspects of life, including artistic and emotional expression, fashion choices, communication, and even the establishment of a solid foundation."

"For African Americans, this journey wasn't always smooth," Kea'z continued, recalling how African American designs were initially met with rejection and lack of credit. "This did not dampen [the community's determination or have an impact on their passion for fashion and art," he says. That took a bit more time.

"... It wasn't until the 1980s and 1990s that hip-hop emerged. During that period, African Americans embraced bright colors, oversized tees and pants, and artistic logo jewelry to represent their brands, which subsequently came to dominate the fashion and art industries. At one point in time, sneaker culture and hip-hop entered the realm of fashion due to the widespread appeal of Run DMC and similar artists."

Kea'z explained that as the trend became more influential, cross-colors emerged by the late 1980s.

"Artists such as TUPAC, N.W.A., and Will Smith were covered with political and social messages that were prominently featured. Messages were expressed on bomber jackets, head scarves, t-shirts, and sweaters. Furthermore, accessories such as hoop earrings and bucket/fitted hats contributed to its establishment of dominance," he says. "Basketball sneakers designed by Michael Jordan made their mark on the fashion industry, having a major impact because of their magnificent silhouettes and defined color patterns.

Understanding the fashion and artistic culture history of my humanity compelled me to put together pieces and my ideas into a wearable piece of art."

Kea'z Sellers in studio working on customization

Are there any icons or figures in America’s Black History that inspire you and/or your passions and why?

The African American artists Jacob Lawrence and Jean-Michel Basquiat are my greatest artistic influences, having the opportunity to learn about them in 10th grade.

Jean's artwork strongly influenced my affinity for graffiti and the ability to blend vibrant hues into a singular work of art. Upon observing his skillful utilization of a spray can to freestyle his artwork, I was inspired to pick up an airbrush myself and thoroughly savor the sensation of spray painting my artwork. Jacobs's artwork influenced my approach to creating layer-color paintings.

Observing his work brought to mind how one can transform an image into a work of art by incorporating multiple layers and shapes into one unique piece.

How do you celebrate Black History Month?

I celebrate Black History Month by learning new things about my culture, watching Black History documentaries and movies, and also doing custom art pieces representing the greats that have impacted my culture.



How do you honor your Black History outside of Black History Month? What aspects of your heritage do you feel you honor in your everyday life?


Aside from black history month, I observe black history by attending Juneteenth events, supporting locally owned black businesses, and disseminating information about black history that I've gained from videos or text. I also visit black history museums to learn about aspects of my culture that I may not have previously been exposed to. A few elements of my heritage that I proudly display in my daily life are my diligent pursuit of a black-owned business and my choice of attire.

Black Lives Matter customer Sneakers

Why do you think it is important to amplify Black community member voices during BHM, and how do you think it will impact future generations?

I think having black community members voices during Black History Month is very important because it spreads deeper knowledge for others and the youth, getting them to understand their culture, history, and what it took for its culture to be in the position it's in now, and shows them how to move forward in their day-to-day lives.

How can others celebrate Black History Month?

Others can celebrate Black History Month by going to different events around their city, watching documentaries, visiting museums, supporting black-owned businesses, etc.

Kea'z Sellers Headshot
Black Lives Matter Custom Sneaker
KBKCUSTOMZ working on a custom sneaker
Black Lives Matters Sneakers
Kea'z Sellers Headshot
Black Lives Matter Custom Sneaker
KBKCUSTOMZ working on a custom sneaker
Black Lives Matters Sneakers

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