Introduction and Interview by Kelsea Kosko

On a beautiful summer Saturday in Jackson Heights this weekend, designer and tastemaker Kristen Black (also known as KB), celebrated her second sneaker release in collaboration with Nike at All The Right, a family-owned art supply and clothing boutique that has been in business for over two decades. With only one location in New York City, All The Right served as an important resource for young creatives, graffiti artists, musicians, and muralists growing up in nearby Queens neighbhorhoods in the late 90s and early 2000s. Adjacent to the boutique is another staple, Corona Diner, also owned and operated by the same family. Both ventures sit on the corner of Corona Avenue and 92nd Street. I briefly spoke with KB about her creative efforts and the recent release of Inf4am0us, the name of her loud and colorful Air Max 270 React Premium sneaker, in front of All The Right's ever-changing sidewalk mural. Shortly after I begin to record, a man yelled from across the street, rudely instructing us to move out of the way of his phone camera's lens, not realizing or comprehending we were in the midst of an interview.

"This is my party, we don't have to move!" Kristen shouts back abbrasively in her native New York accent, adament we stand our ground despite the guy being extremely stubborn. I suggest for time's sake we just move over a bit so he would shut up.

"Sorry, it's the Queens in me, see," KB jokes.

The man is still dissatisfied with his photograph and keeps yelling at us to move, but we continue our conversation anyways because who gives a fuck.

KB’s “Sneaker Friends Are The Best Friends” tee and matching Inf4am0us Nike Air Max shoe

Kelsea: Can you introduce yourself, and tell us a little bit about where you’re from and where you grew up?

Kristen: So my name’s KB (Kristen Black), and I’m from Middle Village, New York. I started collecting sneakers when I was like, 10 years old. I just always loved sneakers, my outfit looking fly, and putting things together. It was just a very organic and natural thing.

Kelsea: What were you doing professionally before you got into designing sneakers?

Kristen: I'm actually a dance teacher- my mom owns a dance studio in Middle Village where I grew up, and I teach there every day as a choreographer.

Kelsea: How long has All The Right been open, and why did you choose to celebrate here?

Kristen: This [store] has been open maybe twenty years at least. They started this as a paint and bootleg CD shop, and then they ugraded to sneaker store and clothing boutique. This is the one and only, there are no locations in Manhattan, it's a family-owned store.

“My display is in Nike Fifth Avenue right now. They said it will likely also be displayed at the Soho store, but I find that out for sure next week. ”

“ I just always loved sneakers, my outfit looking fly, and putting things together. It was just a very organic and natural thing. ”

Kelsea: Do you have your sneakers in any other stores yet?

Kristen: So I entered a creater's program called Cultivator through Nike, and they picked me [to design]- I did three sneakers with them the first time, and I dropped them in October 2018. And after that they called me back to do it again, only this time I was chosen as Featured Creator. It was just crazy.

Kelsea: Is your display featured in any of the Nike stores?

Kristen: My display is in Nike Fifth Avenue right now. They said it will likely also be displayed at the Soho store, but I find that out for sure next week.

Kelsea: I know you are a friend of Peter Santopietro's (of SNKRHEAD) who is also a client and friend of ours at Gridlyne. When did you meet and have you collaborated on anything together?

Kristen: So no, we haven't collaborated on anything yet, but I met Peter maybe seven years ago at a sneaker event, and we just stayed friends. Like my new shirts say, "Sneaker Friends Are The Best Friends," because it's true. That's my catchphrase.

“When I made these shoes I was like, I really hope that LeBron or somebody wears them, and now Serena Williams is wearing them. It’s a moment I will always remember”

Kelsea: What is one goal you hope to accomplish by the end of 2019?

Kristen: I really feel like I have already achieved my goal for this year because when I made the shoes I was like, I really hope that LeBron or somebody wears them, and now Serena Williams is wearing them. It's a moment I will always remember. I'll probably cry right now, it's just unbelievable.

Kelsea: This has all happening so fast. So ever since you began working with Nike in October of 2018, which isn't even a year ago...

Kristen: And they didn't tell me they were gonna have Serena in my shoes. It just happened.