“Here’s the thing about millennials,” says Intellectual Ratchet Founder and CEO Ja’Mel Ware. “I come from a very finicky generation where sometimes we like things and sometimes we don’t, so the formula is constantly changing. You never have any idea of what’s going to be a hit or miss. But one thing I do understand is that my generation is looking for experiences. As long as we continue to provide experiences that they can’t provide for themselves, we’ll be alright.”
Ware notices that some of the events hosted by his Intellectual Ratchet – who specialize in creating urban entertainment experiences aimed at diverse millennials — can be outrageously successful one month and then maybe kinda “meh” the next month. But he has high hopes for the upcoming “FCI Gallery of the People brought to you by IR event,” an art showcase rooted in social justice will be co-hosted by Forward Community Investments and take place at the Forward Community Investments[FCI] headquarters on 2045 Atwood Ave. on Friday, Oct. 7.
“The first large contract we ever signed was with FCI so this event will be awesome. It means a lot to Intellectual Ratchet to know that somebody believes in our abilities,” Ware says. “[FCI President and CEO] Sally [Martyniak] really wants people to better understand who FCI is and what they do and she also wants FCI to be known as an art hub in this city. The purpose of this gallery is to showcase artists that do work around social justice where we can see and hear about art that is from people who are deeply rooted in the social justice movement.”
FCI is an investor, connector, and advisor for organizations and initiatives that reduce social, racial, and economic disparities. The organization will provide entertainment, drinks, and dessert for guests while they enjoy the art and learn about FCI’s current initiatives.
Desserts at the event will be made by Sweet Tea Soul Food Restaurant. “I believe in black-owned businesses supporting other black-owned businesses and I miss good, home-cooked food,” Ware says. “That’s why I love Sweet Tea so much and they will be providing a variety of delicious desserts.”
The event will feature the work of Wisconsin-based and international artists including Richie Morales, Ashley Robertson, Malcolm Bracey and Kelly Parks Snider.
Morales hails from Antigua, Guatemala, and uses his art to explore the intersections of the past, present, and future. “He’s internationally known and has been in and out of Madison for the past few years,” Ware says.
Bracey is a Madison-based artist whose work was recently featured in The Overture Center’s exhibition, “The Fresh Perspective Art Collective.” Robertson is a native of Prince George’s County, Maryland and centers her art around the lived experiences of black women. Parks-Snider is co-founder of “Project Girl,” a non-profit dedicated to providing youth with opportunities to combine art, media literacy, activism, and education.
“Bracey’s work is probably the most controversial that we will be seeing but I know that it will create great dialog,” Ware says. “All of these artists are fantastic and very talented.”
In the face of adversity, Ware says, artists can capture truths, transforming hurt into healing. “I’m not an artist of any type. I just can’t do it. But I’m so enthralled by it,” Ware says. “I think it’s because whenever I see good art there’s a feeling attached to it and I think a lot of people get that feeling to. Artists understand the world because artists speak from a place of emotion. Artists are very objective in their views and they take these puzzle pieces that we all see and they put them together in different ways to express what is happening in our world.”
This is just one of many events hosted by IR, a lifestyle group with a mission to connect young, urban, professionals who seek an alternative to Madison’s typical nightlife experience.
“Things are going well for Intellectual Ratchet,” Ware says. “I changed up my approach. Instead of trying to force my ideal onto Madison, I realized that it was better to work with things that were already happening.”
IR will be hosting a Networking Reception and Hoppy Hour at the 2016 YWCA Racial Justice Summit today and a 3-4 event series with the Wisconsin Union over the school year. “We have a few events but mostly we’re just doing our regular thing and creating places where you can dance to good Hip Hop music,” Ware says.
“I think one of the hardest things that I’m tackling right now in Madison – and I probably always will be – is getting people to understand that Hip Hop does not mean violence,” he adds. “We’re very intentional about who we are marketing to – we’re marketing towards young professionals and graduate students. Even if we weren’t, Hip Hop itself does not mean violence.”
Ware is marketing “Gallery for the People” to everybody. You don’t necessarily have to be an art expert to enjoy this night.
“It’s an art gallery. You don’t even have to talk to anybody if you don’t want to. You can just come out and check out some great art, eats some snacks and leave,” Ware smiles. “We’ll also have some games and prizes that we will be giving away. There will be many opportunities to meet new people in the community and to meet budding artists that people may not know about in our community. It’s gonna be a really fun time.”
IR will also be doing an after-party event, too. “There will be a few galleries that will be having a scavenger hunt game at them,” Ware says. “So, if you return to MMOCA after party with a completed scavenger hunt game then you’ll have chances to win a yearlong membership to MMOCA and a gift card to their gift shop.”
