WORLD OF WILBEKIN #WOW

I'm Emil Wilbekin and welcome to my world. Here my friends and I live our lives authentically through art, culture, fashion, style, photography, video, and beautiful prose. It's a real #WOW Moment

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“Make a difference about something other than yourselves.” #ToniMorrison Her words. Her presence. Her genius. Her brilliance. She made a difference to me and to so many who have beautiful words, phrases and prose lighting up our minds and imaginations inside our Black bodies. She gave us hope and a vehicle through her words that encouraged us and affirmed us to know, to be and to create. We thank you beloved Toni Morrison for your Black genius and for igniting our own. #RIP #ToniMorrison #Beloved #Words #BlackGenius #Feminist #Power #Creativity #LiveLoveServe #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW https://www.instagram.com/p/B01EgZ1JVnq/?igshid=11g190cond1on

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Happy 95th Birthday James Baldwin! Mr. Baldwin is one of my personal hero’s because of his beautiful mind, his brilliant use of language, his spectacular writing, his critical thinking, and fearless activism. He was vocal, vigilante, and active in the Civil Rights Movement. Seeing him speak at Hampton University in Ogden Hall was a life changing experience for me. I chose James Baldwin to be the icon for the @nativesonnow movement because he is the personification and possibly of who Black gay men are and can be — a self-actualized, activist, advocate, artist and change agent. Thank you Mr. Baldwin for inspiring and empowering me to be a leader and activist to motivate my Brothers in the fight for Black gay liberation. Axé! #RestInPeace #HBD #JamesBaldwin #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon https://www.instagram.com/p/B0qh6Mkn0DL/?igshid=aziqabr2u6yy

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Beyond my wildest dreams!!! Thank you @cordeylash for lovingly pushing back. RP: @nativesonnow I AM NATIVE SON. Today, we set forth to intentionally reclaim and reframe the narrative of Black gay men and raise our visibility and our voice through the NATIVE SON movement. We are here to inspire, empower and celebrate Black gay men in all of our beauty and brilliance. Tune-in this week as we declare our existence in this world. We will be seen and we will be heard because there is power in our presence and our voice. @proctergamble #spons #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon 🎥 @rickyday (at Faison Firehouse Theater) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0haLQjHH3t/?igshid=14bl6udye1p2h

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A beautiful reminder to remember your own receipts. @lilkimthequeenbee and I both honored at @outmagazine Legacy Dinner during #WorldPride @nativesonnow Thank you Kimberly Jones for the kind words and kisses. Hey @slimninja @cadillac #KeepRising #spons #MondayMotivation #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW (at The Standard, High Line) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0N-zLVHJ-p/?igshid=dtdpk599x61w

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“To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the making of bread.” #JamesBaldwin As, I breathe into my manhood, the more and more I realize my own center, core, and consciousness. I Am #NativeSon @afropunk #Paris #WorldOfWilbekin#WOW 📷 @marcposso (at La Seine Musicale) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz6idbKJSj8/?igshid=1lgez3pvzhecf

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Let’s go!!! Excited to be joining the @OutMagazine Legacy Dinner tonight in style! Thanks to @Cadillac! The road for equality and love continues… as we celebrate #WorldPride Let’s #KeepRising ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🏳️‍🌈! #spons #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon https://www.instagram.com/p/BzO2tRCph1D/?igshid=cm885dchw01a

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Happy Fatha’s Day! My mood all #PrideMonth is pure #BlackBoyJoy! I am #NativeSon, creating a movement to inspire and empower Black gay men and to make space for us to be self actualized, visible and supported in this world. The road for equality and love continues… Let’s #KeepRising 🏳️‍🌈! @Cadillac #spon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon https://www.instagram.com/p/Byybn7XpBXz/?igshid=o1u24qgnzn6g

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I love this photograph of my Dad and I at his graduation from law school. It completely represents my relationship with my Father— he was my first male role model, he was my mentor, he was my friend and he was my protector — always making me feel safe and secure. He taught me how to navigate this world as a Black man and I am still applying his lessons, advice and wisdom. Today, I celebrate the life, legacy and light of Attorney Harvey E. Wilbekin on #FathersDay. I love you and miss you Dad. #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW https://www.instagram.com/p/ByyC5veJQVW/?igshid=1gfc5b7aafmhr

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There is so much talk about self care nowadays. I learning that you must be vigilant about taking care of your mind, body and spirit. You have to block out negative energy and naysayers to protect yourself — armor up spiritually. I am grateful to @scotchporter for including me in the #DareToCare campaign (link in bio) to encourage everyone to be their most authentic and best versions of themselves. #LiveYourLife #HighestSelf #SelfLove #Sponsored #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW 📷 @ronhill https://www.instagram.com/p/BysI-2JpRaM/?igshid=mxwrrssij1dn

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I love when people use their platform to make a powerful statement for the marginalized and disenfranchised. @octarell_again so eloquently did this last night @thetonyawards as he introduced his critically acclaimed #Broadway play #ChoirBoy He spoke out about the importance of Black queer bodies who often “uphold the great legacy of spirituals” but aren’t always loved or affirmed. From @moonlightmov to Choir Boy, thank you Tarell for reminding the world that our narratives matter, that our contributions matter, that we matter! #BlackExcellence #Freedom #Pride #WorldofWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon https://www.instagram.com/p/ByjlRHagv5s/?igshid=ulm7pjo0tgem

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This week as a part of the celebrations of #PRIDE and #Stonewall50 I was included in the #StonewallForever digital living monument created by @lgbtcenternyc and supported by @google and part of the @nationalparkservice Humbled to be a part of history for my activism and @nativesonnow doesn’t begin to express my feelings and gratitude. I am living in my purpose and grateful to the Black gay men who came before me who fought, served and sacrificed for our freedom. #JamesBaldwin #BayardRustin #MarlonRiggs #EssexHemphill #JosephBeam and so many unnamed Brothers. #WorldPride #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon https://www.instagram.com/p/BydlpXxpjsW/?igshid=1vq4oe48erf40

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Today is a sacred day for me and my brother Erik. It is the anniversary of both of our parents deaths — Attorney Harvey E. Wilbekin 6.3.97 and Dr. Cleota P. Wilbekin 6.3.17. Yes, the same day but 20 years apart. Beautifully poetic and super hard. I try to face this day with reverence for the incredible parents who raised me and blessed me beyond measure. But grief — like life — has its own way of being. This morning I woke up anxious and could barely get out of the bed, but decided to press through because that is how my parents raised me. While I am eternally grateful for their profound presence in my life, I am sad and I miss them. I am so clear that they are with me — even now rubbing my back to calm the tears and soothe the heartache. Thank you my beautiful and brilliant Angels. I love you. I miss you. I celebrate your lives and legacy today. Rest In Peace! #RIP #Love #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQceckJfxU/?igshid=1t9cz7nyijivr

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Living your best life is most rewarding, when you’re true to you. Happy #PrideMonth everyone! Thank you @Cadillac for helping me celebrate #PrideMonth2019 with these beautiful human beings @nikes_nae and @ellosteph and honoring our #pride. Let’s #KeepRising 🏳️‍🌈! #spon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon 📷 @mark.c https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLZS14JntA/?igshid=rltk83hjiajw

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Thank you @fastcompany for including me and the @nativesonnow movement on you 100 Most Creative People In Business list. I am humbled and honored. I am so grateful to @jaybfly for believing in me and Black gay men. This Brother had me in tears during the interview because my story is my community’s story. I grateful to serve Black gay men, to affirm our existence, and to celebrate our brilliance, beauty and being. THIS is for us. I am my Brother’s keeper. #Grateful #Live #Love #Serve #Purpose #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW #NativeSon 📷 @whoiswarrenwhite https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0rM8epxV1/?igshid=1hyc29olalldr

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Believe in yourself. Another moment of calm, clarity and contentment, this time in Cape Town. I spent six weeks in JoBurg for work with @afropunk and enjoyed a few days in the Mother City (how apropos) to reflect on the New Year, spend some quality alone time, and count my blessings. One of my intentions for 2019 was to practice self care and create more balance in my life. I need to do better. This moment is a beautiful reminder to continue to manifest that vision. It also reminds me of the infinite possibilities in life. #Namaste #Blessed #Grateful #Faithful #Intention #SouthAfrica #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW (at Cape Town, Western Cape) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtUk7lpYRm/?igshid=woawlf2rfxwo

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Namaste. Taking time today to remember the moments in my life where I felt most at peace, centered, joyous and grateful. In this season, it is evident to me that it is a time for clearing, cleansing and clarity. My spiritual practice and presence is strong. I am appreciative for discernment — and the discomfort it creates because it is a blessing. I am being still, peaceful and open — embracing the same humble posture I assumed on my journey to India in 2016. I bow my head and whisper: #Namaste #Peace #MindBodySpirit #Grateful #Blessed #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW 📷 @xulaguy (at Taj Mahal, Agra, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnYn7ZpwRf/?igshid=10kvtpdjxykfi

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Happy Mother’s Day! Today was tough. The two hardest days of the year for me are my Mother’s birthday (12.27) and Mother’s Day. The day she was born and the day that celebrates women who birth life, sacrifice, and give an abundance of their love, light and lives to their children. These two days represent the beauty, brilliance, benevolence, and blessings that epitomized my Mom. I am so grateful for everything my Mother gave me, taught me, encouraged me, fought for me, dreamed for me, and prayed for me. She was my Mother, my hero, my inspiration, my muse, my teacher, my mentor, my role model, my goddess and my friend. So I am sad today because I am grieving for my Mother, but I am also profoundly grateful to God that I had her in my life. Thank you Dr. Cleota P. Wilbekin for giving me so much of yourself and for shaping the man and Native Son I have become. I love you and miss you even though your spirit is with me always. #HappyMothersDay #Love #BlackWomen #Women #Life #Blessed #NativeSon #WorldOfWilbekin #WOW https://www.instagram.com/p/BxY3cfZpBPz/?igshid=iysgd00ozope