The Florida A&M University Office of Communications launched the fall issue of the A&M Magazine “Art of Design” on Friday, Oct. 27 with the introduction of its inaugural 40 Under 40 group of outstanding alumni and four other alumni whose creativity has taken them into uncharted areas.
The sold out, official Homecoming launch event at the School of Architecture and Electrical Engineering North Atrium of the Walter Smith Building featured the unveiling of the magazine cover designed by Office of Communications Art Director Brion Eason.
The cover design incorporates the images of School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) graduates Melissa Mitchell, Andrea Nunn and Elijah Rutland, and SAET alum David Castro.
“The cover is symbolic of the interconnectedness of four individual artists. These artists are entrepreneurs and the avenues or paths they take in the creative world are individually shown,” Eason said. “The top of the structure reflects orange and green hues, which are symbolic in a way that ties them back to the ‘College of Love and Charity.’”
Castro is founder of Complex Apparel, LLC and the Dungeon Forward brand. He designs a line of hats that speak to the culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His company collaborates with major institutions, including The Smithsonian, and is reshaping the world of headwear, which he calls crowns.
After her artistic talents emerged in 2014, Mitchell founded Abeille Creations offering custom wearable art and custom designs, including colorful head wraps, home décor, luggage, and back packs. Mitchell, who has operated her business full time since 2021, has landed partnerships with big names such as Cadillac, Ford, Spanx, Peloton and Foot Locker.
Rutland, who has a passion for customizing sneakers, graduated with a degree in graphic design in 2022. At the young age of 15, he founded his artistic sneaker customization brand, Fix My Sole. His talent has taken him across the globe, from designing headphones for BeatsByDre to creating artwork for the NBA, NFL and Xfinity.
A journalism graduate, Nunn transitions from a tech sales career to open Fête 832, a unique BYOB (bring your own bottle) paint-and-sip studio in Houston, Texas. Her studio is designed with striking 2D art, it’s for art lovers of all levels. In just a year, Fête 832 gained nationwide attention, even attracting U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Nunn’s team, made up largely of HBCU grads, is set to expand the concept.
The Fall 2023 A&M Magazine 40 Under 40 Honorees:
Yewande Addie, Ph.D.; Bethany Brown; Brandi Denise Boyd; Victor D. Chrispin; Tia Coleman; Jamil Codner; Dr. Terrell D. Coring, Sr.; QuDerrick R. Covington; Darrin Eakins; Vince Evans; Jared C Fields; Gallop P. Franklin II; Arnika Frazier-Jackson; Jeffery Jenkins; Rachel Gibson; Torrin P. Goodrum, PharmD; Ricquel Jackson; Maurice Johnson; Kianta Key; Elliott Kiadii; Lamonica Love; Alyssa Milton; Chelsea Lewis; Cirilo Manego III; Kamelah Muhammad; Naderah Munajj; Marcus R. Payne; Makita Phillips, Ph.D.; Empress Saffold, Ph.D.;Cynthia Saint-Paul; Kashif Smiley; Jennifer Smith; Tyrone D. Smith; Jr., Ed.D.; Dorian Solomon; Eboni Stephens; Tim Vidale, DPT; Lashea C Reaves; Amir Windom; and Donnie Wooten.
To read more about Castro, Mitchell, Nunn, Rutland and the 40 Under 40 honorees visit the A&M Magazine online at bit.ly/Fall2023AM.