Meet Gabrielle Smith

June 26, 2010 in Culture, Fashion, New Media

Founder

thenublack & G*ology

Thenublack blog is a striking celebration of young, gifted, Black folks. Gabrielle Smith launched the inspirational blog in October 2008 to coincide with Black History Month and hasn’t looked back.

Gabrielle is the founder of the G*ology T-shirt company and a graphic designer by trade. Definitely one to watch, Gabrielle is curating an art exhibition to celebrate thenublack’s two year anniversary later this year.

Why did you decide to start thenublack?
Thenublack originated from the idea that my generation, and those born to parents of the African Diaspora, are the product of the path paved for them by their ascendants.

Although we may not have experienced first-hand the effects that many of those well known figures had on the world; I have hope that we’re aspiring to be equally as great, as revolutionary and box breaking as they were and still are.

The idea for thenublack came to me in August of 2008 and the first post was published in October 2008 to coincide with Black History Month in the UK. I set myself a challenge to profile young creatives of African descent, as well as post positive and interesting news articles, images, and videos, all throughout October. I didn’t feel that I should stop blogging because the designated month was over, so I kept going!

When did you launch G*ology?
G*ology was founded in 2006. I had so many notebooks full of ideas prior to starting the t-shirt company but couldn’t think of the right name for it!

When I was trying to think of a name for the company and designing the product I wanted something that was an extension of who I was at the time. An ‘ology’ as I see it is something that’s about the subject (Biology, Sociology…even Geology!) So G being the first letter of my name combined with the -ology makes whoever purchases share something of mine.

What was your career path prior to starting G*ology and thenublack?
Around the time of thenublack, I was working as a product photographer for an e-commerce company.

I graduated from The University of Creative Arts with a degree in Graphic Design New Media and up until my current job as a Junior Designer I’d been doing various freelance jobs as well as temp and retail work.

What have been the highlights of running your blog?
The ability to share a different aspect of Black culture with others and in turn share with my readers is the thing I’m most passionate about.

Earlier this year I visited Grenada, my parent’s birthplace, and was able to conduct a photo shoot with the help of my cousin for thenublack t-shirts. The models we used were local artists Luni Spark & Electrify. As well as being Grenadian Soca monarchs, they visit schools talking about non-violence…the perfect ambassadors for thenublack!

What is the hardest part of running your blog?
Finding original content or positive stories is the hardest part. Sometimes the media and news stories make out what’s going on in the world is negative, especially when it comes to matters of Black culture.

Often, because we’re so used to believing everything we read in the paper or see on television, we don’t actively seek to find an alternative point of view or seek to find positive news. That is definitely my biggest challenge, as it really does take a lot of digging to find what I’m looking for.

What has been your biggest triumph to date?
I’m curating an art show later this year to celebrate two years since the launch of thenublack. It’s very much in the grassroots stages at the moment so I really have to sell myself in terms of getting people on board and applying for funding. When the exhibition ends I’ll be able to say that was my biggest triumph!

What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting a creative business?
Don’t just do it for the money, if you love your product people will see that and want to buy into it. Also surround yourself with likeminded people – find a mentor in your field.

What are your goals for thenublack?
I’d really like for thenublack to become more established and be able to collaborate with schools and communities to promote a different aspect of arts and culture.

I’d also like to host an annual event to give lesser known artists a platform to show their work.

What, or who, inspires and motivates you?
I’m very much inspired by people that I know personally. I’ve been blessed with a circle of close friends and acquaintances that are go-getters and that really motivates me.

Each week I feature a young creative and I’ve found that even while reading through their interviews I’ve gained inspiration from their words to keep on doing what I do.

This feature interview is the first part of a series of spotlights on Black British female bloggers by Octavia Goredema, founder of the Twenty Ten Club.

For more information on thenublack visit www.iamthenublack.com. You can also find thenublack on Twitter and Facebook

To check out Gabrielle’s G*ology t-shirt line visit www.iamgology.com

Do you have a question or feedback for Gabrielle?  If so, please feel free to post a comment below.