Meet Marquette Cates Jr. | photographer, poet & community activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marquette Cates Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marquette, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
What makes me happy? There are a couple of things that genuinely bring joy to my heart. The first one is simply talking.. talking to people whether they like mined or not. Ironically i wasn’t much of a speaker growing up, so now in my adult years I find it necessary and soothing. I believe that talking or knowing how to convey one’s emotions through speech is a lost art and we as a generation should acknowledge. Second thing is being needed.. not used.. but needed. I’m deeply satisfied when one of my one loved calls me up for a project, advice, relocating, etc. I was taught to help everyone if i have the capacity to do so. I love the feeling of being the one person, people can rely on.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My Art is still in a undefined stage. Someone else once asked me “how do you defined your work” and I replied “I don’t know..” “I think it’s best for to remain that way until.. the day it all clicks”. I wouldn’t consider myself a professional yet only because, the word profession come with so many criteria and boxes that I’m still checking (metaphorically). But I’m still “That guy”.. respectfully so. Diving into the arts of photography or modeling is not easy by any means. You have to have extreme determination, dedication and most importantly understanding that things don’t always go to plan and you have to improvise. I undercame certain challenges by remaining persistent even when the world seemed dark and hopeless. I learned that the creative world is full of people who only create for money. Yes we all need money to survive. But creating for the love of creating opens more doors for opportunity and collaborations. Because is all about who you know right? My brand is my authenticity. I will will remain true and realistic and my work does/will reflect that.

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.
I would take my friends to Nzingas kitchen for breakfast, Angie’s Jamaican grill for lunch and Rey’s Restaurant for dinner

I would take them out to the GOJO on main street in Durham for some late night vibes.

Also I would look at the Hayti Centers programs to see what they have going on over there!

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?
Huge shoutout to The Black Farmers Market (Moses, Ja’nell, Crystal) and Tall grass food box (Derrick, Gerald, Gabby, and Alexis)

Shout out to Derrick Beasley for bringing me along on his creative project and showing me boundlessness of photographer/artistry.

Shoutout to Crystal Taylor for being a wonderful and driven mentor to me and my peers. I never met someone who believes in me like she does.

Shout to my Primo Dani R. One of the best musicians I know.

Instagram: Unclekettes_photography

Image Credits
Uncle Kette ( Marquette Cates)