We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monek Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Monek, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
From a young age, I had to figure out how to navigate a world that didn’t always reflect me. Starting in second grade and rolling through my freshman year, I found myself in mostly white Catholic schools, alongside my older brother, one of the very few Black faces in the crowd. At first, I didn’t feel all that different—it was just school! But by middle school, the oddness hit me like a ton of bricks. I started to notice the unfair treatment Black students often faced, and my senses sharpened.
As my teenage years rolled in, my Black identity began to blossom. Visiting family opened my eyes to the realities of Black life outside school, where the pressure was on to outperform my white classmates. I learned early that I had to shine brighter, dodging the negative stereotypes that was often unfairly associated with my race..
Living in predominantly white neighborhoods meant I had more white friends than Black ones. My cousins would tease me about playing with white kids, claiming I sounded “white” when I spoke. Spoiler alert: that was just the way I spoke, I was not putting on an act! I was just another teen trying to fit in, but adding the twist of navigating a mostly white world.
Meanwhile, I have fond memories of attending church with my grandmother on Sundays where there was an abundance of loud clapping, shouting ladies overcome with the holy ghost, and an energetic choir. Services lasted longer than a movie marathon where your little hiney got tired of sitting in that hard church pew for 3-4 hours, a far cry from the quick 30-minute Catholic masses.
Fast forward to adulthood, and I found myself in a corporate landscape, once again a rare Black unicorn among my colleagues. I’ve learned to scan rooms for familiar faces that look like mine. Being the only Black person can feel like being handed a microphone to represent a whole race—not my gig! I can only share my story, but I’m all about educating others and smashing those pesky stereotypes.
Fueled by the desire to see more folks who look like me in art spaces that have been whitewashed for ages, I launched Strange Fruit Arts Center. This nonprofit is all about uplifting and promoting African American artists. As a metalsmith, I often find myself as the only Black artist in a class. I wondered if the low turnout was due to economic hurdles or a simple lack of awareness about metalsmithing. Driven by my passion, I envision a vibrant arts center that builds community through creativity, helping Black artists break into galleries that usually showcase non-Black talent, and have a creative space that embraces them.
Since kicking off in 2021, Strange Fruit Arts Center has thrived, boasting a diverse board and featuring over 22 African American artists. I’m pumped about our mission and can’t wait to keep advocating for Black artists, championing equality in the art world, and celebrating our beautiful differences.
Reflecting on my journey, I see how each twist and turn prepared me for this path. I fondly reflect on my younger self, and I have learned to embrace my “strangeness” as my superpower. I’m comfy in my skin, no matter where I am. My dream? For other African American artists to feel that same warmth and support, letting their talents shine brightly!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
In my professional day job, I’m the Payroll Manager for a lively restaurant company. I hung up my wings and took an early retirement from a major airline in 2013 after soaring there for over 28 years. I’m a proud mom to one sweet daughter and grandma to four energetic boys and two fabulous girls, ranging from 7 to 20 years old!
Life tossed me a few curveballs, from “practice husbands” post-divorce to health challenges that had me wondering if I’d still be kicking today. But guess what? Here I am, standing tall! I remember playing “How I Got Over” by gospel recording artist, Vickie Winans, over and over again when I was at my lowest. I am super proud of my journey including going back to school in my 40s and snagging my Bachelor’s degree (2008-2012). Big shoutout to my uncle for pushing me to stay the course—his words “no one can take away your education” was the fuel that kept me on course and still resonates with me to this day!
As I glide into my 60s, I’m buzzing with excitement about Strange Fruit Arts Center, where we uplift black artists and unite the community through the magic of art. The name pays homage to Billie Holiday’s haunting song about the dark chapters of our history—her lyrics about “black bodies swingin’ from the trees” shook the world and sparked awareness, especially in the South.
We’ve got to dig into our past to avoid stepping on the same rakes! That’s why I’m all in for educating others about lynching, showcasing talented black artists, and providing a space that feels like home and is inviting to all who wish to connect through art.
Each summer, we host our annual event—this year, we celebrated our 3rd anniversary at the King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta, gathering a vibrant crowd to cheer on our artists and mission. Mark your calendars for June 2025—our next annual event promises to be even more spectacular!
With our shiny new 501(c)(3) status, we can now chase grants to boost our mission. We’re gearing up to offer art classes with instructors who look like us, shining a spotlight on our emerging artists, especially our talented youth. One of our artist members is just 15, and we’re thrilled to support her creative journey!
While we’re still on the hunt for a permanent home base, that’s definitely in the cards. A brick-and-mortar would let us host our own events, workshops, and classes galore! This year, we were lucky to snag donated event space for our event, which was a huge help to our bottom line since our organization is powered by our seven board members, donations, and funds raised at our annual event!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I remember feeling like a deflated balloon thanks to some hurtful words from an ex. Phrases like “you fat thing” and “you’re just weird” stuck with me like gum on a shoe. Sure, I shed some pounds, but I discovered I was still fabulous and not defined by a number on a scale. I still don’t crave the spotlight, but I have learned to flaunt my quirks and waved goodbye to embarrassment over being labeled as “different.” Just like Billie Holiday’s powerful metaphor of “strange fruit,” I proudly stand as “strange fruit” alongside fellow artists, embodying the spirit of our ancestors—now that’s worth celebrating!
The three game-changers on my journey? 1) Embrace your inner weirdo, own your truth, and shower yourself with love. 2) Education is your golden ticket—no one can snatch that away! You’re never too old to hit the books; I’m always diving into new classes to keep things fresh. 3) Travel far and wide to soak up the richness of diverse cultures. Our differences are what weave us together and make us a vibrant tapestry!
If I could go back and tell that little black girl from Peoria, Illinois anything, it would be to quench her artistic thirst and remain authentic. I’m super proud of her and I’m most proud of kicking off a nonprofit, with friends who are committed and supportive, artists who are simply amazing, and I’m still buzzing with excitement for what’s next!
And here’s my sage advice for those just starting out: Go for it! If you think you can’t, you’re absolutely right. It may sound cheesy, but it’s true—claim your power by embracing your uniqueness! If you’re young, grab that education while you can, but if you’re fashionably late like me, strut out there and turn up the volume on your life! Education is a badge of honor, so wear it with pride! Whether you’ve never left your zip code or you’re a globe-trotting pro, there’s always a new adventure waiting. If you don’t have a passport, get one, and if you do, keep those pages open for more travels ahead!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When life feels like a wild rollercoaster, I grab my torch, get creative, and whip up something fabulous! Seriously, turning a plain ole’ sheet or wire into stunning jewelry still blows my mind—it’s like magic! It’s my chill zone. If I’m not busy crafting or diving into a new class, I’m all out of whack. Metalsmithing is my main squeeze, but I recently dabbled in sculpting and found it to be a total zen fest! When you’re deep in your artistic zone, there’s no room for pesky worries to crash the party. I just get lost in the joy of creating!
And here’s a little nugget of wisdom: don’t tie your self-worth to anyone or anything outside of yourself. Your hobby is YOURS! You’re not defined by your job, your partner, or what others think. You’re a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, and creativity is your secret weapon to express the fabulous YOU!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.strangefruitartscenter.org
- Instagram: @strangefruitartscenter
- Facebook: Strange Fruit Arts Center
Image Credits
Artists: Tonya B. Williams, Fiona Dennis, Masud, Shai, Monek Harris, and photographer Jeff Scurry
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
