Xavier
Xavier works on the production side of the show I have been editing for the past two years, Ball in the Family. I had seen him in passing around the Bunim-Murray campus, but not until we were both called to participate in a diversity meeting did I take the opportunity to get to know him better. Xavier is an impressive guy, who in addition to managing budgets and schedules for Ball in the Family also runs his own apparel company, The Haves Collection (Instagram: @thehavescollection, web: TheHaves.com). Not too crazy about sitting and posing for traditional portraits, Xavier invited me to photograph him in action, on set, while he directed his own photo shoot in preparation for his next capsule collection, which is available now on The Haves website.
Q: Do you identify as Black? White? Mixed? Bi-Racial? Something else?
A: I was raised in a Puerto Rican household but I am mixed; Puerto Rican and Black.
Q: Which public figure, of any ethnicity, has had the greatest influence on your life? (This can be an artist, scientist, musician, filmmaker, philosopher, athlete, politician, writer — anyone.)
A: I remember being a kid and looking up to Diddy, back when he was Puff. You rarely saw people of color with his type of status in those days. His energy lead me to believe I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Striving for success unapologetically.
Q: What countries have you traveled to, and how does your physical appearance influence how people treat you around the world?
A: I have traveled to the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, China, and Lithuania. China was the only place where people would stop in their tracks to stare. They were friendly, but many just have never seen a person of color. Most interesting trip I’ve ever taken.
Q: Are there other PartBlack people in your life, and/or how do you feel when you meet another person who is PartBlack?
A: I have lived in Miami for most of my life and in New York for some time. I have a number of mixed friends that I am close with and that’s just a regular way of life for me.
Q: Growing up, do you feel that you experienced unique challenges being PartBlack?
A: I grew up knowing we are starting out at a disadvantage in general, whether you’re talking about my Hispanic side or my Black side. It’s all about understanding your own capabilities and taking control. I’ve always been proud of who I am and gladly accept the challenges it brings.