Bloom & Plume

I was asked to create an arrangement for YouTube that embodied some aspect of my black experience and I immediately thought about Ms. Marsha P. Johnson. A women who truly paved a way for me to exist as a gay man in this country. Not to mention she did it boldly, with style, grace and often with floral adornments. It was such a blast embodying this beautiful being thru flowers. We’ve got a segment in#BlackRenaissance streaming now only on @YouTube -- be sure to check it out!

Three random things that I love 1. Making presentation flower arrangements... I’ve always imagined myself making the arrangements for the prima ballerina at the end of a ballet where she gets a standing ovation and some big black man (me) #obvi comes out of nowhere (stage left to be exact) and presents her with flowers for the magical performance of grace and excellence that she just displayed. Or beauty pageants like Miss USA (fun fact I was obsessed with @thekenyamoore i...n high school when she won Miss USA and wanted her cardboard cut out that was at Smart Foods [not to be mistaken by dumb foods] the grocery store around the corner from my house in Stockton , but I was way too embarrassed to ask for it because I only wanted it to just look at her hair and gown... lol) 2. Coming up with merch ideas and designing things (because I went to fashion design school @otiscollege and wanted to be a fashion designer of a major house like @halston and do what @tomford did for @gucci and @ysl the best years of those brands btw, in my humble opinion. This is still my secret/not so secret anymore dream, but I went the fine art/flower route but it ain’t too late.)#ijustcantgiveupnow 3. I am so in love with my dog @princeleroyplume he has truly changed my life for the better. First and foremost he is Black and beautiful and his uninterrupted loyalty to me makes me seem loved and appreciated. For a person that really didn’t fuck with dogs because of the traumatic history of black folks and dogs, not to mention dogs get treated better than black folks in this country it was always a no for me #itsano4medawg, but the love of a dog you can’t understand until you have one and I am the full ass witness of that! Do I have a witness #amen Happy Saturday y’all I hope it’s going great! See more

My Home was featured on @archdigest and @getclever for the digital Feb issue. While I am a renter I have been in my space for 17 years now and it’s home... the pandemic really helped me to embrace my space and all that it offers... my love for things, rugs, trinkets, and art. My home is also where I surround myself with beautiful things that people that I love have made (as you will see from all the tags)... anyway, it feels very personal to share my space as I love it so muc...h and it reflects me pretty damn well, but what if you don’t like it? lol that’s life not everybody is going to like everything and that’s ok (whew had to talk myself off the ledge, the most confident of us all also have a tremendous amount of insecurities... gurl the drama, no one said anything, relax... I am relaxed... you sound defensive... I think you’re projecting... am I? Maybe you just don’t see me... gurl log off... you need to calm down...) Anyway Happy black history month and welcome to my home... See more

Can we just take a moment and talk about our bomb ass collection Coffee is Black Gold that we did with @miir So proud of the work that we did together! All black everything with touches of gold metallic... I mean everything riiiiight!!! Sound off in the comments on how black history month has made a difference in your life to win the whole collection. We will be picking a winner from the comments! #happyblackhistorymonth

Introducing our 2021 HOTLINE HOTTIES this Valentine’s Day. *DESTINY likes to live life on the edge. She a dominatrix who knows her way around a pair of cuffs and is never afraid to pull out her collection of vegan leather toys...hmmm...isn’t that just plastic? Anyway..Proceed with caution *INFINITY is a timeless beauty whose looks will never fade. If you’re ready for something a little more long term, she’s the girl for you....and look at the plus side, she doesn’t even need... air or water. What’s her secret? Extreme dehydration. Get into that! *Krystal will shock your chakras and work out those hard to reach muscles to then soothe your soul with her gentle touch. She’s always ready for a deep connection. *And then there’s DOVE, she’s white Visit our website and make sure you get your hottie this Valentine’s Day. Last day to lock something in is on the 10th, all orders delivered Sunday 2/14.

Nothing to see here just a bad bitch being bad and one of our ‘lil installations... No but seriously just reflecting on what I am grateful for as I sit here eating my homemade plant-based collard greens and cornbread, and all I can say is my office sofa will never be the same again as it has been truly blessed with the knee of the Almighty @beyonce ... lol.... No wait but for real real @msmelina it is always a pleasure working with you and it was such an honor creating a cute... moment for the @queenandslim after party. This film that you and @lenawaithe created is a true piece of art and that profoundly moved me. I am so honored to know both of you and see you both Bloomin & Plummin out here. As for me I am just humble bragging like a motha fucka which I guess doesn’t really make it a humble brag, but fuck it Beyoncé’s knee was on my sofa and I just feel blessed to be in the presence of greatness! #bowdownbitches #chownowbitches #greensandcornbreadbitches #yumyumbitches #inmytumtumbitches #parumpumpumpumbitches #youneedsomebitches #getyoownbitches #peaceoutbitches #forgotthehumblebragbitches See more

Give it up for Musty Copeland She is Musty AF but she is on point This musty mercury retrograde broad done had me all the way fucked up this month. Got me spinning out of control with the amount of confusing miss communications that I have been having all month. I mean I thought everybody was suppose to give it up for the birthday B during my birthday month, but damn you would of thought I was a ninja with the amount of ducking and dodging of bad energy I have been doing t...he last few weeks and still getting slapped in the face with drama. I ain’t one of the gossips, so you ain’t heard this from me, but I’ll tell you this, most of these hoes ain’t loyal and it don’t matter how hard you work nobody gives a shit about your struggle. With that said I am praising the lord for this new super black ass moon that is upon us because I need this new ass energy I will be praying, meditating, burning panties, incense, clearing my crystals, putting a ring of sage leaves around my bed, taking some chicken blood from my closet and blessing a baby, and calling back all my ancestors because I need all the damn help I can get. I’m trying to set my ego on fire to make room for my soul to shine. The question is who really is the musty one #getthatstankinenergyoutofhere #crystalclear #newmoon #newme #newyou #newnew See more

Knowing me is knowing that I am proud to be a Black Gay man and knowing me is also to know that getting to this place of love and acceptance has been no easy journeyin fact it’s a daily practice of reminding myself that I am worthy of the love that I want to have and see in the world. However I continue to have complicated feelings around pride month. I don’t fit into the mainstream queer narrative that is being developed. I mean I love being a weirdo so I am not looking t...o be in the mainstream exactly, but this time is pitched as a celebration of inclusivity and acceptance and I still feel like I am on the outside of this experience. I don’t have this same experience during black history month and there are some complicated feelings there as well. I write this not because I am a victim, but because I know in my heart I can’t be the only person that feels this way. I’m a person that is all about being the change that I want to see in the world. So a couple of years ago I started working on my Color of Fear project to start to work through things that I had a hard time articulating I wanted to see another side of black gay maleness that wasn’t so centered around sex and masculinity and not having to hide behind armor in the form of clothes. I also wanted to use this beautiful skill of flower arranging that I cultivated over the years, which not a lot people black people get to experience on this level. I am still working through these ideas, however I have the privilege of sharing these images for the first time tomorrow @sandiegoartinstitute for the Forging Territories show. I am grateful I’ve been included in this show that explores representation. If you ain’t got shit to do and you want something cute to do, head down to San Diego or you are already there come check out the show. Title: Self Managing Diva, I’ll Create My Own Thrown See more

Honey it’s Monday, the sun is finally shining and my girl Katie Jackson is looking fine as hell on her quarter apple soapbox losing her goddamn mind. Talking about she’s meditating over her meaningful stones a.k.a. Crystals a.k.a. Pretty rocks a.k.a. Petty rocks #fettywap trying to recover from being in the trap house over the weekend during a full moon summer solstice meditation situation and has come to the conclusion that if she just stands in front of this 3 wheeled, buil...t in speaker having, OG vintage flat screen tv singing A Moment Like This she will become America’s next Top Model #wrongshow. This nutty bitch went as far as to support this disabled device with one of her very own meaningful stones, saying it has healing properties... #gurlbye , I could barely keep a straight face (which is hella hard for my gay ass) knowing that some people spend a lifetime for a moment like this and they damn meaningful stones, but I kept it cute in an effort to be supportive to my delusional ass friend. I will say it’s hard to keep it real when I’m blinded by such beauty. I mean her blue vain’d French tulip highlights are everything and them pin cushion roots are flawless. Katie got the look house down boots hunny, but we just need to work on them flat ass notes cause judging from the rocks that you got, you ain’t even Jenny from the block and that trap house got you fucked up... #betterlucknexttime #meaningfulstones #aintnobodygottimeforthat #looksarenteverything #naturalopulence See more

Got a word for dat ass on this here beautiful Juneteenth Wednesday. If you want to turn your bible to the book of Bloom & Plume, chapter Coffee Vs 1 it reads... Community is culture and culture is the essence of community. Strong authentic culture steeped in truth, reconciliation and love is what we seek to establish as the core vibe @bloomandplumecoffee . We aim to build an inclusive community where all are welcomed and celebrated as co-mingled members of the human race. Giv...en the roots of the business origin from people of color, the culture of the space naturally and organically orients towards the lived experience of people of color. It’s our intention to transcend societal boundaries through art practices coated in approachable elegance which one is able to not only taste, but can feel. With our most sincere daily ‘culture building’ intentions in practice, we pause today to honor our foremothers & father’s who made unfathomable sacrifices so that Bloom & Plume Coffee and ten of thousands of other black owned businesses are able to exist today. We salute our ancestors today with humanity and deep gratitude. Please join us today in commemorating our ancestors by sharing a family story, ancestors fun fact or what Juneteenth means to you, in the comment section below. Free gift to the most thoughtful comment Turn to your neighbor and say Have to know where you been to know where you’re going #canigetaamen #comeonsomebody #Iamsomebody #youaresomebody #supportblackbusiness #wegotyou #thirstcomethirstserved !! See more

Let me tell you... #ad I am feeling fresh and renewed after this long ass weekend, looking cute in my @treadbyeverlane orthopedic business casual pump, in a monochromatic hue of butter, serving up all the comfortable realness a timeless man of my age could ask for! Come all the way thru @treadbyeverlane for fulfilling my chic dad shoe fantasies, it’s hard to find this level of yaaaas in a size 13 #itstrue . I am so happy we got to partner on this project because I love what they are doing with the sustainable of the shoe making process... you know I’m always side eyeing everything but after wearing the shoe for a day I have been all about it! I’ve been wearing them like every other day #forrealtho Thanks for having me! This was such a fun project. Now swipe thru to check out the shoe @ Tread by Everlane

Hey y’all... making a cute little dance class comeback tomorrow (Sunday May 5th) @treadbyeverlane Pop up in DTLA... rsvp right now space is super limited. I haven’t taught in a minute and I’m super excited to get my grove on in my cute new shoes! Excited to get our move and plume on!!!

When the pastel earth tones mixed with black and gold is just giving you all of the he ain’t here, where’d he go,I don’t know, I think he has risen kind of realness on this beautiful easter, Passover, Sunday funday! Always love working with our homies over @fireandcreme Peggy we love you, thank you for the endless inspiration #happyeaster #naturalopulence #pastelearthtones

Roses are sometimes red, Violets tend to be blue, but let me tell you something @bloomandplume and these wild ass tulips fuks wit you!!!! Sending experimental love to all as we celebrate Easter this weekend!! A holiday about Jesus rising from the dead and bunnies laying pastel colored eggs #blackmagic #naturalopulence #thirstcomethirstserved #easterlooks #butchqueenupinpumps #blackebana #Ikebana’s black sister

Spring has Sprung pas de deux hoe. Girl Meli’sa Rosenberg and I have been sitting outside waiting for the sun to come out. After the weeks upon weeks, upon weeks of rain in Los Angeles, literally getting us out of a drought kind of realness, but putting my ass in the sunken place of my oppressive July 2nd cancer feelings thinking about the fact that Tony, Toni, Toné 90’s hit song It Never Rain’s In Southern California is one of the biggest gags of the century thanks to globa...l warming and you still ain’t going to answer your door... well let me tell you something (in my Jennifer Hudson breathy, volume 100, dramatic ass voice) I’m stayin, I’m stayin, and you, and you, and you, you’re gonna water me, cause I know you love this full blown rose bussy! Just let me in already, shit my ass is #Thirsty out here and I need some water, no but like for real these bussy petals are going to be a flop and not a bop real quick if I don’t get in some AC real ASAP. I mean don’t call my office talking about Meli’sa’s bussy was not poppin, I can’t believe such a prestigious institution sent this trash over here, meanwhile you left her ass outside on your modernist stoop all damn day getting dry, dusty and musty. Now that ain’t right... I done rang this bell now 78 times I know you got that @ring system where you can let me in remotely, so stop actin brand new and let ah bitch in... #newphonewhodis #bussyboppin #bitchbye See more

The struggle is, but so are them damn results!! A good friend who just had a baby said it was like squeezing a watermelon through your nose, of course I’ll never know what that feels like, but I can tell you getting this coffee shop open felt very impossible at times, but we have done it! It is our goal to have a beautiful, creative, welcoming, delicious space where everybody can just be. Creating community, representation of diversity, and quality are all very important to m...e when thinking about the coffee shop. I love creating experiences for people through flowers and this project was a way to do that in a more relatable and sustainable way, which is insane that there was even a way to start to figure this out... the battle continues but I have an amazing business partner @letmypplgo who keeps me grounded and an amazing staff that is ready to quench your thirst! Please come and support the labor of love that we have worked so hard to create for all of you! With love I present to you @bloomandplumecoffee #thirstcomethirstserved #supportblackbusiness #supportlocal #supporteachother @ Bloom & Plume Coffee See more

#mood The Dark n Lovely Denita Delphin Daniels is letting you know that this dark berry is full of sweet juice. Shining bright like a black diamond that not many take time to really see and understand. A complicated being that works hard to make all this dark rich goodness look so damn effortless, but the pain of her past, and the heaviness of the world around her makes it hard to be seen in the monochromatic shadows of the bright lights that overpower and oversimplify who sh...e is. Can I live? Can I live my best life please? We’re all doing the best that we can to make it work and we need to work together not against each other. Support is giving people the room to learn, grow, and evolve together. We may not always see eye to eye but giving people the benefit of the doubt and checking our egos is super important. We are killing each other physically, socially, emotionally, and even financially, because we don’t work at our relationships. We have to dig beyond the surface. I mean Denita is sitting on a goldmine, but if we move to quickly we will miss our blessing... We must do better! @nipseyhussle didn’t need to die over some bullshit and @jussiesmollett deserves some grace too #Ithink #letsdobetter #letmelive #supportblackbusiness (that goes for everybody) #darknlovely #Denita #naturalopulence #youowneverything See more