“I am led by my ancestors, my community, and artists before me who have helped pave the way for me to achieve my goals and dreams.” Get to know (and get inspired by!) Skye Bennike, an LA-based photographer, model, and creative director whose passion for community culture and the arts drives her to support organizations like Feed Black Futures, founded in 2020 as a means to create sustainable change for Black food autonomy. Together with Converse, we’ve donated $5,000 to Feed Black Futures. Read on to learn more about Skye and shop her faves from Converse!

"Music is extremely important to me. Both my mom and dad were constantly playing music around me growing up. I have memories of me in the car with my mom and Nas blasting in the background… I’m sitting beside my mom singing the lyrics of my favorite songs. One particular memory I have is her looking at me and having me repeat back the lyrics and follow along with her: “I know I can/Be what I wanna be/If I work hard at it/I'll be where I wanna be…”

"It was songs like this that were ingrained in my brain at a young age. I didn’t realize it then but those songs tell important stories and share history. Especially Black history. I was too young to understand but my mom was really letting me know that life won’t be easy, especially as a Black woman, and I have to work extra hard. But as long as I work hard I can do anything."

"I feel like most of life you spend trying to find yourself and understand who you are and what you want and that is why community, culture and the arts is so important. It is a huge part of how I identify myself. I grew up around a lot of artistic people which is why I feel like I am the creative I am today."

"I am led by my ancestors, my community, and artists before me who have helped pave the way for me to achieve my goals and dreams. Especially Black folks and women who have really created culture. I could not be more proud to be a Black woman in this world because it’s taught me so much and as an artist. It’s made me dive deeper into my writing, my photography and my work all together."

"Being outside is so important for creativity. It’s so important to me. I love being in the park, sitting in nature and being able to write in my journal or read. Or even having the space to get together with my friends. Nature can be the most inspiring… it's the little things sometimes that really resonate with you. As a kid I would lay out in my front yard or sit on the porch and just enjoy the sounds of the birds chirping or the leaves rustling nearby."

"Leimert Park is a huge example of an area in LA that is immersed in Black history. First visiting, I was emotional because it is full of African-American culture. (Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood in the valley, seeing things like Leimert Park, where Black faces are amplified and their voices truly matter, warmed my heart and helped me connect back to my roots.) I love attending the events where vendors come together to sell their goods. You can see the hard work people put into their craft. Handmade clothes, jewelry, woven baskets, homemade natural body products are all offered and they’re made by POC. Music ringing throughout the streets and so many beautiful Black faces of all shades willing to talk with you, share their stories and the importance of our ancestors."