Igee Okafor and Ryan Clark Co-Host Inaugural BOND OFFICIAL Black History Month Brunch

WORDS BY,

COLE HABERSHAM

*Ryan Clark and Igee Okafor.* ***Photo:*** ***Madison McGaw***

The Venue? Scarpetta on Madison Avenue in New York.

The purpose? Bringing together Black tastemakers for an afternoon of celebration, camaraderie and discussion on the future of Black culture.

4 MINS READ TIME

“At BOND OFFICIAL, we’ve created a space where men can come together and be vulnerable,” says Okafor. “I haven’t felt like I’ve been in a space where people like me have been specifically represented in that way.”

Throughout Black History month, BOND OFFICIAL has featured a range of Black stories highlighting the polythetic nature of the Black experience—from finding footing as a multi-hyphenate professional to healing following great loss; or commanding your worth as a leading style influencer, as discussed with Ryan Clark.

Speaking of the men present for BOND OFFICIAL’s intimate gathering Clark said, “We wanted a room full of tastemakers. Men who show that they are multi-dimensional, complex and beautiful.”

Attendees included fashion model and DJ Malik Lindo-Ireland, BMC Style Director Brandon Murphy, Actor Jovel Roystan and more. Kicking off the brunch Clark poignantly reminded attendees: “We are our ancestors' wildest dreams. We were born to break through barriers.”

***Photo:*** ***Madison McGaw***
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*Jovel Roystand and Brandon Murphy attend the First Annual BOND OFFICIAL Black History Month Brunch co-hosted by Igee Okafor and Ryan Clark at Scarpetta on Sunday, February 27, 2022.*

***Photo:*** ***Madison McGaw***
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*Nelson Elliot Gillum attends the First Annual BOND OFFICIAL Black History Month Brunch co-hosted by Igee Okafor and Ryan Clark at Scarpetta on Sunday, February 27, 2022.*

In between elegant courses presented by Scarpetta, Okafor and Clark guided the group through a discussion meant to empower and celebrate those in the room, while reminding them of the importance of making room for others. “Here is my hand to your back,” said Memsor, Stylist to the stars, speaking on his privileged place of power as a mentor to other Black creatives.

Some might expect Black men in a competitive creative industry to be competitive amongst themselves—a natural assumption, to a degree—but the theme for the afternoon organically focused on supporting each other; calling out personal milestones of friends and peers, and affirming to push each other forward.

That sentiment is reflective of Okafor and Clark’s personal friendship. The duo met nearly six years ago when Okafor was a newer face to the New York creator scene. Rather than seeing each other as competition, they formed a friendship based on their similar backgrounds, love for style and commitment to bringing like-minded creatives together.

Seated at the head of the table dressed in Fendi (Clark) and BMC Studio (Okafor), speaking to friends dressed equally as sharp and equally committed to building the Black creative community, their BOND OFFICIAL Black History Month brunch is the culmination of years of experiences, endurance and friendship. One such friend is photographer Jeremy Mitchell, who commented “I’m happy to see this. I love to see it. We’re not alone. We’re all working in this industry, doing what we want to do; sharing the love of fashion, literature, music and art. I’m happy.”

Following brunch, guests were gifted a bottle of Ten To One Rum, a creation by Marc-Kwesi Farrell that blends multiple Carribean characteristics for a single blend.