A Good Black Man is Easy to Find
Today is bitter sweet. Bitter because this is our final #MustLoveBeards profile of 2016. Sweet because we are bringing back our Taji Mag crowd favorite: Nestle Snipes. This Good Black Man is the lead photographer of Made For a King Photography. A lot has happened since we last spoke with this bearded dapper gent.
Since our last encounter, Nestle Snipes recently shot 8-Time Olympic Track & Field Medalist & Fellow Jamaican Legend Veronica Campbell-Brown and Mr. Fly Malcolm X himself was once again featured in the Hunks 4 Hope calendar, and Made For a King photography has grown its client base. You might have caught a glimpse of our bearded brother on an episode of the breakout Netflix series Luke Cage.
We already know about his stunning portfolio and philanthropic work. This time, we want to look more closely at the man behind the lens.
Africa Jackson: Last time we spoke, it was such a meaningful conversation. It was great to learn about your work to stop domestic violence and your clearly superior artistic eye. We focused a lot on your business before, and now we want to focus more on you. What makes you happy?
Nestle Snipes: (smiles) A lot of things — a healthy bond with others, experiencing nature, laying in the grass, meditation, doing something meaningful with my hands. Giving gifts and seeing the recipient smile. Laughing — I love a good laugh. I enjoy partying. If people want to be jovial, I’m down. Spending time with my mom also makes me happy.
“Our potential is limitless.”
AJ: Ok. You’re in film school, you volunteer, you’re an activist, you party, you run a successful business, you stay fly, and you let fans like me ask questions for 2 hours… but how do you take care of yourself?
Nes: Easy question. In the morning I have an hour of silence. Total hour of appreciation. Daily mantras are vital. I look at my vision board. When I come home, I listen to inspirational music with powerful frequencies: Afrobeat, electronica, jazz.
Taking care of myself also involves proper sleep. I want more people to realize that grown-ups are not exempt from naps.
AJ: Let mainstream media tell it, a good Black man is still hard to find. We know that is a myth, but in the midst of the negative energy thrown at yall, I want to know something. What is the greatest thing about being a Black man?
Nes: Our potential is limitless. We are often so revered and appropriated, but our resilience in uncanny. We convert sunlight into energy (metaphorically and literally).
AJ: So much of the miscommunication between Black men and Black women comes from lack of knowledge or lack of understanding. Black love is powerful and has the potential to grow even stronger. What is one thing you wish Black women knew about Black men to help cultivate that growth?
Nes: The Black man you interact with is only working with what he has at the moment. Don’t infringe on his freedoms based on your own desires. For example, getting work done is paramount for me at the moment. I don’t want to cheat myself or anyone else, so I may not pursue a woman. Please don’t say “all men” or “yall men”. We are trying. Don’t be disheartened by certain men who receive you wrong. Young Black boys deal with trauma that may stem from unresolved issues. Many of us had no clear definition of manhood.
“Little gestures mean a lot, yes, but I know it is not enough.”
AJ: What is one thing you wish you knew about Black women?
Nes: How can I be more of an ally beyond taking you out [to dinner]? How can we help? Little gestures mean a lot, yes, but I know it is not enough. We are at a loss without you telling us. The best way for Black women to communicate their needs to Black men is to do it without being condescending. Please don’t project the pain from other men onto us. In 2017 I want people to stop negative blaming and projecting insecurities. We have full autonomy. the transfer of energy matters.
“I want Black men to start protecting Black women.”
Visit Made For a King Photography and Bearded Dapper Gents to learn more about the upcoming projects of this undeniably talented good Black man. You can also treat yourself by following him on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. His new blog “Simply Snipes” is set for an early 2017 release.
Congratulations on your recent and continued success, Black man. We look forward to your next great project.
I am just a little bias because my roommate wrote this, but this really captures something that very few of us talk about. Since this is the end of your series for Must Love Beards, can the next one be about Black love as a whole? It would be good to ask questions like about myths and stereotypes and how to build better agape type of love instead of always focusing on dating or romantic love. And beyond that, just how to build a stronger base of understanding and compassion.
Great piece!! I often wondered if other black men thought of how we can help women instead of just taking them to dinner. Nestle Snipes keep doing your thing and being positive!!!
Thank You For That Felipe. Best Wishes And Happy New Year.
The Dapper Gentleman vibe is great. I see that each of you have your thing, so it does not seem that you are competing but just lifting one another up within you collective of positive black men. You and the other brothers should truly feel blessed. Here is my question–how did you get started on this journey? I want to move towards a different career I have been so focused on doing my regular job well, but no matter how good I am, this is not a job whereas I can move up, so to speak. What advice would you give to someone like me who wants to be known as more of a truly grown man opposed to “just some guy” which is how aan ex once described me funny enough. I want to stand out more, but at the same time build a career I am happy with, not just content or complacent.
The Gents & I Really Appreciate That Compliment PMB. If Someone Can Actually See That We Are A Brotherhood, That Means That Our Message Is Getting Across The Right Way.
In Reference To Your Question. My Journey Started When I Was Honorably Discharged From The Navy. I Had a Strong Desire To Live A Life of Peace. So With That Intention (Without Knowing About The Law of Attraction Yet) Books, People & Good Situations Began To Find Me. I Learned About Yoga, Eating Right & About How to Find My Life’s Purpose. Career Wise. The Best Advice I Can Give You Is “Go After What You Love To Do.” Take Some Time To Think About “If I Was Not Even Getting Paid For This. I Will Still Do It As A Career.” And Then Follow That.
I Am not Saying You Even Need To Be Your Own Boss. You Can Still Work A 9 to 5. That Is Totally Alright. But Since Most Working People Spend More Time Involved Wth Work, Even At Home. Find Work That Is Meaningful To You. That Makes You Happy. Then That Will Open More Doors & People That Will Aid You. Also Read The Book “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.. Good Fortune To You.
So true!