Image via Hunter Bonaparte

By Hunter Bonaparte, Arts & Entertainment Coordinator

Atlanta has been recognized as the epicenter of black culture. Cam Kirk Studios’ Live DJ Mix made it clear who’s behind the city’s glowing reputation.

Cam Kirk got his start as a talented photographer. Since graduating from Morehouse in 2011, he’s turned his talents into a growing empire, while introducing us to some of the most prominent artists and entertainers of the last fifteen years. Kirk attributed much of his good fortune to his experiences at Morehouse.

“The impact of Morehouse and Morehouse College and the way that it allowed me to find myself as a black man and I think that confidence in myself as a black man is also what gave me the strength and the confidence to do what I do now,” Kirk said.

Cam Kirk is paying it forward with events like the Live DJ Mix. Here some of the best young DJs and artists got together to display their talents and share advice. Brooklyn rapper Kai Ca$h was one of them.

“Really seeing how far I’ve come; every time I make a new attempt I grow more and more. Being able to see my growth keeps me motivated, so really just myself,” Ca$h said.

Despite the concentration of artistic people in the AUC, many at Morehouse feel as if the administration doesn’t adequately cater to their needs. 

Miles “Kilo” Colbert, a photographer and current junior at Morehouse, was available at the DJ Mix to speak on the issue.

“At Morehouse there’s a lack of those spaces and events. We pay attention to mental health and business symposiums, etc. but we don’t really see spaces for creatives to produce in real time. We need spaces where people can, like, put stuff in their portfolio.” Colbert said.

Miles is part of a collective called C3, an organization designed to support creativity and expression. Cam Kirk Studios recently gifted them 10 thousand dollars to put towards more robust resources. Generosity like this is what makes the wonderful creativity we see at places like Morehouse possible.

Kirk has achieved a lot at a young age. The Morehouse man doesn’t feel compelled to downplay any of his milestones.

“I hate the word ‘humble’ and I hate the word ‘humility’…being humble is a low sense of awareness of one’s self – I don’t have a low sense of awareness. Granted I’m not willing to throw [my accomplishments] in your face or let people know what I do, but there’s nothing low about the way I look at myself…we want [people] to move with confidence,” explained Kirk.

Cam Kirk Studios keeps its doors wide open for local students. In addition to its rapidly growing presence on AUC campuses, Kirk Studios also employs AUC students to learn the ropes of studio work. Netanya Onyilo, a junior at Spelman College, has been enjoying an internship with Mr. Kirk.

“I’m really a sponge, I really wanna know everything that I can know – I’m involving myself in how the studio works, how photography works…I have a good understanding of how the business works,” Netanya said.

Beyond the glitz and glamor of the Live DJ Mix, the authentic passion and hard work sewn into the fabric of Cam Kirk Studios shine through. Whether it be promoting an up-and-coming DJ or providing funding to a student-led artists’ collective, Kirk is making a difference that is felt in real time.

Copy Edited by: Colin Royal, Managing Editor of Print