Written by: Bennie Randall / Photos by: Vonoi Magazine In the heart of New York City, the Whitney Museum of American Art has unveiled a breathtaking exhibition, Edges of Ailey, celebrating the transformative artistry of Alvin Ailey. Known for revolutionizing modern dance and infusing it with the depth of Black cultural expression, Ailey’s influence extends beyond movement—it is a legacy of resilience, storytelling, and unyielding artistry. Alvin Ailey’s impact on the world of dance is unparalleled. As the founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, he created a platform that not only showcased the beauty of African American culture but also pioneered a new form of contemporary movement. His seminal work, Revelations, remains one of the most performed ballets in the world, encapsulating the pain, joy, and spiritual endurance of the Black experience in America. The Edges of Ailey exhibition pays homage to his groundbreaking contributions by exploring the intersections of dance, identity, and activism. The exhibition is an immersive experience, blending archival footage, original costumes, interactive installations, and commissioned contemporary pieces that reinterpret Ailey’s choreographic language. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a striking multimedia installation featuring projections of Revelations, allowing them to witness the raw emotion and elegance of Ailey’s work up close. The interplay of shadow and light, movement and stillness, creates an evocative atmosphere that transports viewers into Ailey’s world. One of the standout features of the exhibition is the Living Archive, a space where dancers from the Alvin Ailey company perform excerpts of his choreography in real-time. The presence of live performance underscores the fluidity of Ailey’s legacy—his work is not confined to history but is a living, breathing force that continues to shape contemporary dance. Through motion, visitors can feel the echoes of Ailey’s vision, reinforcing the exhibition’s theme of dance as a bridge between past and present. Alvin Ailey’s artistry was never just about dance; it was a form of activism, a vehicle for change. He championed the representation of Black dancers in an era where opportunities were limited, ensuring that their stories were told with dignity and power. The Whitney Museum captures this broader influence by including letters, personal writings, and recorded interviews where Ailey discusses his mission to redefine narratives of Blackness in the arts. Moreover, Edges of Ailey explores how his work continues to inspire contemporary artists and choreographers. New media installations feature reflections from figures like choreographer Bill T. Jones and actress Viola Davis, who speak to Ailey’s enduring impact on their own creative journeys. His legacy is not confined to dance but reverberates across film, theater, music, and social movements. The Edges of Ailey exhibition serves as a powerful reminder that dance is more than performance—it is a language of resistance, identity, and hope. Through his choreography, Ailey spoke to the soul of a people, offering both solace and strength in turbulent times. The Whitney’s tribute is not just a retrospective but a call to recognize the transformative power of art in shaping culture. For anyone who has ever been moved by the grace of a dancer’s body or the rhythm of a story told through movement, Edges of Ailey is a must-visit. More than an exhibition, it is a celebration of the boundless potential of art to change minds, move hearts, and redefine history. As Ailey himself once said, “Dance is for everybody.” And through this extraordinary showcase, his message continues to resonate, ensuring that his edges remain infinite.
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Written By: Bennie Randall for Vonoi Magazine Nestled on the iconic Fifth Avenue in New York City, Ariston Flowers & Cafe offers a unique and enchanting experience that seamlessly combines the elegance of floral artistry with the warmth of a cozy cafe. This one-of-a-kind establishment has become a haven for those seeking to escape the city's hustle and bustle while indulging in a sensory journey that delights the eyes, nose, and palate. The moment you step into Ariston Flowers & Cafe, you're transported into a world where nature and design intertwine harmoniously. The space is a lush sanctuary, filled with the intoxicating scent of fresh flowers and the gentle hum of quiet conversation. Vibrant blooms in every imaginable hue are meticulously arranged, creating a living art gallery that reflects the beauty and creativity of the city itself. Whether you're a flower enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in life, the shop's stunning displays are guaranteed to captivate. The floral arrangements at Ariston are more than just bouquets; they are works of art crafted by skilled florists who bring years of experience and passion to their creations. From intricate centerpieces to simple, elegant stems, every arrangement tells a story, making it the perfect gift for loved ones or a special treat for yourself. Beyond the flowers, Ariston's cafe offers a warm and inviting space to relax, unwind, and savor the moment. The menu is carefully curated to complement the floral theme, featuring a selection of artisanal coffees, teas, and light bites. Sip on a lavender latte or enjoy a rose-infused pastry while surrounded by the beauty of nature—it's an experience that feels both indulgent and rejuvenating. The cafe's interior design further enhances the ambiance, with a blend of rustic charm and modern sophistication. Natural wood accents, soft lighting, and greenery create a welcoming environment that invites guests to linger. Whether you're catching up with friends, reading a book, or simply enjoying a quiet moment alone, the cafe provides the perfect setting. Ariston Flowers & Cafe isn't just a place to buy flowers or grab a coffee; it's a community hub where creativity and connection flourish. The establishment frequently hosts workshops and events, from floral design classes to intimate live music performances. These gatherings bring together people from all walks of life, fostering a sense of camaraderie and inspiration. The cafe also offers a selection of curated gift items, including candles, vases, and botanical-themed accessories, making it a go-to destination for thoughtful and unique presents. Each item reflects the same attention to detail and commitment to quality that defines the entire Ariston experience. While Fifth Avenue is known for its luxury boutiques and bustling energy, Ariston Flowers & Cafe stands out as a tranquil retreat amidst the excitement. Its location makes it an ideal spot for both locals and tourists to recharge during a day of shopping or sightseeing. The juxtaposition of vibrant city life and serene natural beauty creates an atmosphere that's nothing short of magical. Ariston Flowers & Cafe is more than just a destination; it's an experience that celebrates the art of living beautifully. By blending the timeless allure of flowers with the simple pleasures of a cafe, this Fifth Avenue gem offers a haven of tranquility and inspiration in the heart of New York City. Whether you're seeking a moment of peace, a burst of creativity, or simply a delightful cup of coffee, Ariston Flowers & Cafe promises an unforgettable journey for the senses. Make sure to visit and discover the magic for yourself—it's a place where every detail is designed to leave you inspired. Vonoi Magazine
Written By: Bennie Randall Jr. / Photo Credit: Vonoi Magazine Nestled in the heart of Manhattan, the Great Jones Distilling Company is more than just a distillery—it’s a celebration of New York City’s vibrant history and innovative spirit. As the first legal whiskey distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition, Great Jones offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity that makes it a must-visit destination for whiskey enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located in a beautifully restored building in NoHo, the distillery combines industrial elegance with a deep respect for craftsmanship. Every corner of the space tells a story, from the exposed brick walls that echo New York’s architectural heritage to the gleaming copper stills that stand as a testament to the artistry of distillation. The true magic of Great Jones Distilling Company lies in its immersive personal and group tours, which offer visitors an unforgettable journey through the world of whiskey. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or new to the spirit, the tour provides a rich and engaging experience that caters to all levels of expertise. The tour begins with an exploration of the distillery’s origins and its place in Manhattan’s storied past. Guides weave tales of Prohibition-era speakeasies, the resilience of New Yorkers, and the revival of whiskey-making in the heart of the city. As you walk through the space, you’ll feel a connection to the legacy of distillers who paved the way for this modern marvel. Next, you’ll step into the distillery itself, where the magic happens. Here, the art and science of whiskey-making come to life. From grain selection to fermentation and distillation, every step of the process is meticulously explained by passionate experts. You’ll see the towering copper stills in action and learn about the unique techniques that make Great Jones whiskey truly distinctive. The Tasting Experience: No tour would be complete without a tasting, and Great Jones delivers in style. Guests are guided through a curated flight of their signature spirits, including their Straight Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, and Rye Whiskey. Each sip is accompanied by insights into the flavor profiles, aging process, and the distillery’s commitment to using locally sourced ingredients. For an elevated experience, pair the tasting with bites from the on-site restaurant, which offers dishes designed to complement the bold flavors of the whiskey. The culinary team crafts a menu that highlights seasonal ingredients and pays homage to New York’s diverse culinary traditions. After the tour, visitors are encouraged to explore the distillery’s retail space, where they can purchase bottles of their favorite expressions or exclusive merchandise. The sleek design of the shop reflects the brand’s modern sensibility, making it a perfect place to pick up gifts or souvenirs. For those looking to extend their experience, the distillery also offers cocktail-making classes, private tastings, and special events that showcase the versatility of their spirits. Great Jones Distilling Company isn’t just a place to enjoy exceptional whiskey—it’s an experience that embodies the spirit of New York City. The combination of history, craftsmanship, and hospitality creates an atmosphere that’s as inspiring as it is enjoyable. Whether you’re a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor eager to immerse yourself in Manhattan’s culture, a tour of Great Jones Distilling Company is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Make your reservation today and discover the art of whiskey-making in the city that never sleeps. Vonoi Magazine L'Oréal, the world's leading beauty company, announced a collaboration to leverage IBM's generative artificial intelligence technology and expertise to uncover new insights in cosmetic formulation data, facilitating L'Oréal's use of sustainable raw materials, for energy and material waste reductions. This unique effort will develop a custom AI foundation model engineered to significantly increase the ability of L'Oréal Research & Innovation teams to reach extra performance and consumer satisfaction in every cosmetic category and every region of the world. The formulation foundation model is believed to be a first-of-its-kind in the industry, redefining AI innovation at the intersection of beauty, chemistry and technology.
The collaboration combines L'Oréal's unparalleled expertise in cosmetic science with IBM's cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies for scientific discoveries, to unlock a future where science and technology can inform or help prioritize solutions that are both ecologically responsible and innovative. To preserve Earth's natural resources, it is critical to explore renewable, sustainably sourced raw materials when developing consumer products. This effort will contribute to helping L'Oréal meet its L'Oréal for the Future's target of sourcing most of its product formulas based on bio-sourced materials and/or the circular economy by 2030. "As part of our Digital Transformation Program, this partnership will extend the speed and scale of our innovation and reformulation pipeline, with products always reaching higher standards of inclusivity, sustainability, and personalization", declares Stéphane Ortiz, Head of Innovation Métiers & Product Development – L'Oréal Research & Innovation. "Building on years of unique Beauty science expertise and of data structuring, this major alliance with IBM is opening a new exciting era for our innovation and development process", said Matthieu Cassier, Chief Transformation & Digital Officer – L'Oréal Research & Innovation. "This collaboration is a truly impactful application of generative AI, leveraging the power of technology and expertise for the good of the planet", said Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow, Vice President Europe and Africa and Director IBM Research Zurich. "At IBM, we believe in the power of purpose-built, customized AI to help transform businesses. Using IBM's latest AI technology, L'Oréal will be able to derive meaningful insights from their rich formula and product data to create a tailored AI model to help achieve their operational goals and continue creating high quality and sustainable products." "This alliance between highly specialized expertise in artificial intelligence and cosmetics seeks to revolutionize cosmetic formulation. It embodies the spirit of AI-augmented research, emphasizing sustainability and diversity", declares Guilhaume Leroy-Méline, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Business Transformation Services CTO, IBM Consulting France. The creation of this AI model will use a large number of formulations and component data points to accelerate multiple tasks to be performed by L'Oréal, including the formulation of new products, reformulation of existing cosmetics and optimization for scale-up production – tools that will better equip L'Oréal's 4,000 researchers worldwide over the next several years. In addition, IBM Consulting will support L'Oréal in its aim to rethink and redesign the formulation discovery process. Understanding the behaviors of renewable ingredients in cosmetic formulas will help L'Oréal build out more sustainable product lines with greater inclusivity and personalization for its consumers around the world. Foundation models are a type of AI model trained on a broad set of unlabeled data, capable of performing various tasks and applying information from one situation to another. These models have significantly advanced the field of natural language processing (NLP) technology over the past several years, and IBM is pioneering applications of foundation models beyond language, in areas such as chemistry, time series and geospatial modalities. IBM's AI technology has the potential to augment L'Oréal's creativity in finding new cosmetic formulations to transform the beauty industry. L'Oréal, together with IBM's expertise and technology, will help to shape a future where innovation meets sustainability, delivering products that will be as unique as the people who use them daily. About L'Oréal For 115 years, L'Oréal, the world's leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L'Oréal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality. With more than 90,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (e-commerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2023 the Group generated sales amounting to 41.18 billion euros. With 20 research centers across 11 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 6,400 Digital talents, L'Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse. About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Vonoi Magazine By Bennie Randall Jr for Vonoi Magazine Is your brand struggling to make an impact? It might be because your branding and marketing efforts are falling flat. If you feel some type of way about this article, then I'm probably talking about you. You Lack a Clear Brand Identity If your brand doesn’t stand for anything, neither will your audience. A strong brand needs a clear identity that reflects your mission, values, and unique selling proposition (USP). Ask yourself: What do I want my audience to feel and remember about my brand? Your Target Audience is Too Broad Trying to reach everyone means you’re connecting with no one. Narrow down your target audience, understand their pain points, and speak directly to their needs. Effective marketing speaks to a specific group of people, not the masses. Inconsistent Messaging If your messaging is all over the place, your audience will be confused. Consistency is key—your tone, values, and story should align across all platforms and marketing materials. Clear, consistent messaging builds trust. You’re Not Differentiating Yourself Standing out in a crowded market is crucial. If you’re blending in with competitors, it’s time to emphasize what makes you unique. Highlight your strengths and what sets you apart to create a distinct identity. No Emotional Connection People don’t buy products; they buy emotions and experiences. If your branding lacks an emotional appeal, your audience won’t feel connected. Incorporate storytelling and focus on how your product or service improves your customers’ lives. Weak Visual Branding Your logo, color palette, and design elements are the first things people notice. Poor or outdated visuals can make your brand look unprofessional or forgettable. Invest in strong, cohesive visual branding that resonates with your audience. You’re Not Consistent Across Channels If your branding differs across social media, your website, and print materials, you’re sending mixed messages. Your audience should experience the same brand tone, visuals, and message no matter where they encounter you. Ignoring Data and Analytics If you’re not tracking your marketing efforts, you’re flying blind. Use data to see what’s working and what isn’t. By analyzing your performance, you can make informed adjustments that will improve your strategy over time. You’re Not Adapting to Change Marketing trends evolve, and your strategy should, too. Sticking with outdated tactics can leave you behind. Stay flexible and ready to pivot as new tools, platforms, and consumer behaviors emerge. No Call-to-Action (CTA) If you’re not telling your audience what to do next, they won’t take action. Whether it’s “Buy Now,” “Sign Up,” or “Learn More,” a clear, compelling CTA is essential to drive engagement and conversions. If your branding and marketing efforts aren’t delivering results, it’s time for a deep dive into your strategy. If your serious about your marketing & branding DM me directly or visit me online at www.BRJELITE.com You’ll be on the road to building a stronger, more impactful brand. #Branding #MarketingTips #BusinessGrowth #BrandIdentity #MarketingStrategy #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #ContentMarketing |
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