We had the good fortune of connecting with Kiyahna Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kiyahna, what inspires you?
I am inspired by the Black people in my life as well as others because I love highlighting and emphasizing the beauty of the Black diaspora. I am also inspired by African textiles, elements of nature, and the color gold.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is an expression of me and I thrive to create pieces which uplift and encourage my community by helping them feel seen and heard which I feel is important to do in a world which continues to oppress and traumatize the Black community. I am most excited to maintain and promote Kiki’z Kreations LLC. as a way to share my many talents with others in multiple ways whether it be through painting, prose, or poetry. I created this business in December of 2022 when I was still a 4th year student at UC San Diego where I was working on getting my Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Communications and minoring in Studio Visual Arts and African American Studies. Starting a business while still being a student was definitely not easy, but with having a determined mindset about being sure of making such a big decision during a time of uncertainty, I was sure that I wanted to become a professional artist and overall Black creative while also figuring out the rest of my life as a college student. I overcame my challenges by doing my own business research and learning how to become a successful Black woman entrepreneur and I continue trying to learn as much new information everyday since I feel like there’s always room for me to go. From creating my own website to trying to be a content creator, I know that with hard work and resilience, I am going to love being a professional artist.
Since starting my business, I’ve learned that it’s important to create not only for others, but also for myself since art has always been my outlet ever since I can remember. As the product of a single Black mother, my mom being the crafter she is, has always instilled the importance of creativity in me. She has always motivated and cheered me on to not only continue doing art because it makes me happy, but to get through college and graduate; that way I wouldn’t have to struggle like she did. My mom truly deserves her flowers for keeping me going everyday because I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing without her.
Kiki’z Kreations LLC. is a business that sells luxurious Black art by Kiyahna Brown perfect for any space. I appreciate anyone who supports me as a San Diego based Black artist who is just trying to make art to show how amazing, brilliant, beautiful, and excellent Black people truly are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots in San Diego include: my bed because I love to sleep and watch Netflix, the La Jolla Shores beach because I find the ocean to be peaceful and I love painting sunsets, the Little Italy & Hillcrest farmers’ markets on the weekends are perfect to support other local businesses, and Kobey’s Swapmeet is also a good place to shop and spend time with friends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout God because he has and is continuing to bless me everyday, my mother: Diane Brown, for being my biggest cheerleader and greatest creative influence, my boyfriend: Andre Brown, for being an amazing support system and motivator, and myself for still pushing through my lowest days in order to be able to enjoy my highest ones just a little bit more and keep creating and sharing my talents with others.

Website: kikizkreations.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=ubridwx1r9j8&utm_content=1l6xx7e

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kikiz.kreations?_t=8Zy6BzHBemJ&_r=1 Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kitkat1260

Image Credits
Kiyahna Brown

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.