Behind The Scene: With Kasheem “The Dream” Peterson
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This shoot brought back a lot of memories. It started with a text from a very good friend of mine that recommended that I take a call from a guy who he thought I would find interesting to photograph. His name is Kasheem Peterson. I said ok I’ll respond should he try to contact me. Sure enough he did. Within minutes after responding to my friend’s recommendation Kasheem did indeed reach out. He said that he needed some new photographs and that he was in the adult film business. That statement was what brought back the memories of decades past when I was producing content for Penthouse and other high end adult magazines. Kasheem was well up to the task and made the transition from clothed to unclothed in the blink of an eye.
He arrived ahead of schedule. Which is always a good sign. He was polite, friendly, confident and ready to rock the set with a body that was defined by years of conditioning, discipline and lots of work in the gym. Instead of making him feel comfortable, he made the crew feel at ease while we produced some fabulous photographs for an industry in which he has become a Star.
I’ll never forget when I first met Kareem Black in 1997. He was a student at SVA School of Visual Arts in New York. While finishing up his photography training at SVA he made an appointment to visit me at my studio in Philadelphia to ask my advice on becoming a professional photographer. He often reminds me that I was the first real photographer that he met. During one of his visits, I asked him to model for a picture for an upcoming book, called Tableaux Vivant’s. The picture is one of my favorites from the book, of which Kareem received a copy during his visit.
The Figure. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2024.
Our meeting had an impact because when he left SVA and started a career as a pro, he took off! Kareem and I have stayed in touch remarkably 25 years later, and this month of May 2024 I’ve decided to reach out and celebrate his success by inviting back to his home town for a feature shoot. Kareem was thrilled. So was I and the results of the cover shoot speaks for itself.
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To access more behind the scenes with photographer Kareem Black, check out our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/0UEYAERF1IM
The concept, by design, is meant to be transactional. An even exchange. You provide “x” set of skills for a particular field so therefore you should be paid “y” in return, right? The good ole “employer/employee relationship.” But, what happens when you are both the employer/employee that must rely upon a third party (cash app, social media platform, or even a reputable banking institution) that is designed, let alone meant to provide you with the steady income you worked for only to be told in return, sometimes without warning, “no, we can’t provide you with your hard earned money because THESE set of skills you possess, we actually frown upon.” Welcome to the constant struggle of the current sex worker.
As The New York Times reported in November of 2023, “workers in sex-related industries – whether creating online content, or working in a strip club or even a legal brothel, – often risk their safety and face social and employment discrimination. But a lesser-known struggle is that it’s often difficult to maintain a basic bank account and other financial relationships that most people take for granted.” The ability to maintain a business bank account, a line of credit, or to generally use the financial services of banking institutions or service providers like Zelle or Venmo, are essential to commercial undertaking. In the life of a small business operator, that quickly bleeds into one’s personal life and ability to perform basic economic functions like use a checking account, obtain a mortgage, or even keep a credit card. Unfortunately, for many sex workers, who are disproportionally women, these basic rights are denied, forcing them into a continuous cycle of financial instability and hardship.
Whether driven by moral condemnation or financial risk assessment, too often women involved in sexually explicit work find their access to banking institutions and financial service providers denied. According to a May 2023 report from the Free Speech Coalition, nearly 40% of workers in the adult sex industry have experienced account closures and denials of service in this past year alone.
Some of the dangers are clear. The inability to access financial services and banking causes significant financial instability and prevents the creation of new businesses and wealth. This cycle in turn forces workers in the adult sex industry to depend on less reliable third parties or operate through the use of far less secure payment methods like cash and cryptocurrency. The negative impact far transcends the business end of the operation for most small business operators. Lack of credit and easily documented income can quickly have a negative impact on one’s personal credit, impacting the very basic needs of modern life.
Work is work, except for when a bank decides that it is not the type of work that one should be doing. Then work becomes an arduous journey to secure a glimpse of financial security. For many women, who comprise a significant sector of modern adult sex work, this has become a reality which often compromises their ability to work for a living.
Senator Tim Scott. Artwork by Thomcat23 Copyright 2024
Text by Nefertari Williams, Copyright 2024
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Tim Scott OUR Black Man – Not yours!
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This is an opinion piece so I will go easy. To understand my perspective you will have to learn a few things that are just truths within the black community. Colorism exists. Since we were enslaved individuals we were told and we watched as the Plantation master would treat the lighter skinned enslaved blacks better than the darker skinned enslaved blacks (in some cases they were his own children after he would rape his enslaved girls and women). This unfortunate “benefit” has been a mental barrier within our community although it does seem in some situations that companies and even ad agencies find lighter skinned blacks more palatable.
Another truth that you must know about some black men who grew up by a single black mother – I repeat “SOME” – become resentful towards their black mothers if their lives were troublesome when they were children. These men sometimes even turn against their entire community they didn’t have pleasant experience’s growing up in due to poverty, teasing, bullying etc.
Ok this one may be a bit controversial. Some of our black men who have experienced at least one of the aforementioned situations seem to be easily indoctrinated into the thinking differently then they may have been raised to think while attending black churches or by their low income earning black mothers. This seems to ring true if the black man has witnessed people who looked differently, acted differently as high income earners equating their value to their earring potential. With this way of thinking, that would mean that a disabled wise man with strong values who had dozens of children at his feet as he taught them life lessons, as worthless unless he found a way to monetize this simple kind act. While those of us who were taught that the value of a person is based on the content of his character.
All of these words are a prerequisite for you to understand how a man like Tim Scott (A Black Republican Senator From South Carolina) can “become”.
THE MENTOR
When Tim Scott was growing up he was raised by a single mother who was a nursing aide (under paid which is a proven and common issue within the black community) who had to work long hours So Tim was left alone often. He moved around a lot as a kid. When he was a teen he worked at a theatre. When he became hungry he would go to the local Chic- Filet and purchase fries to eat. The owner of the restaurant took notice of Tim and asked him why he would only buy fries and Tim told him “because they are cheaper”. One day after a few encounters the man went to the theater where Tim Scott worked and gave him a chicken sandwich.
Tim appreciated the generosity shown by the man and chose to accept the life lessons that this man would teach (the man passed away from a sudden heart attack while Tim was still in his teens)
Tim’s mentors name was John Moniz. He went on to teach Tim about Christian conservative values strongly expressing the importance of giving.
THE INDOCTRINATION
By teaching Tim that giving leads to receiving, Tim started to question his life. Maybe the reason that the people in his life didn’t have as much as his wealthy mentor was because they didn’t give enough. The mentor never mentioned to Tim how his mother was under paid for her job as a nurses aide which was a systemic problem. He also failed to mention that the hundreds of years that Blacks gave to the country free labor was what caused the country to be the super power that is today and most “conservatives” vote to make sure that their conservatism is mostly aimed towards restricting funds towards urban schools, unequal lending practices and so much more.
Although Tim was born to married parents who were together for the first 7 years of his life it is described that Tims parents were of the working class impoverished (Btw – there should be no such thing Tim Scott. If you work you should be able to live).
TIM SCOTT’S SOCIAL LIFE
I hate to say this is typical of a black man who has experienced the situations that I have discussed in paragraphs one and two because I hate implying that any group is a monolith- but it is walks like a duck…..
When these two factors meet up I have witnessed the black man tends to avoid dating black women. Maybe he tried and was shot down, maybe he feels “inadequate” (I’ve heard that one before). But as so many in the community have guessed, Tim Scott is now engaged to a woman who is not black. She is white like his mentor was.
So maybe a white woman will understand all that he has learned and will be a better partner because he now knows the secret to being successful in America? Well, no because just as much as I don’t like putting black men in a box I don’t like to with black women. You can find a black woman from all walks of life right here in America. To each their own I say.
Why am I writing about the ONLY black republican Senator, failed presidential candidate and seemingly a new pin cushion for Trump. I was posed the question- what does the black community think of Tim Scott.
I asked a prominent DJ of New York City his opinion on this matter and he simply said – he’s a sell out.
I’m not so sure it’s that simple. I believe there are several factors at play which I have listed.
But here is my overall opinion of Senator Tim Scott:
Come home Tim Scott – Come back to the love of your minority community. We know you may not have been treated well. We all have been bullied a little but we dusted ourselves off and “became”. Ok so you may not have the Barack Obama swagger, or the Denzel Essence nor the Edris Finesse. That doesn’t mean you are not loved. You are no longer that little poor boy who didn’t have money for a chic filet sandwich. We watched as you stood on stage behind Trump as he called you out just to humiliate you in New Hampshire. It will never stop. You deserve better my brother. Come home. We love you!
Sent from my iPhone
What does it mean to be a vixen? At first glance, the term is simple: “a female fox.” It’s the literal definition, a word often associated with Trixie from The Fox and the Hound, perhaps chosen for its closeness to “vixen.” Yet, there’s another layer to this word, one that carries a nuanced weight. It refers to a spirited or fierce woman, one often seen as sexually attractive.
When Tony Ward approached me to be a part of his latest collection, which he aptly named The Vixen Series, I couldn’t help but question its significance. My initial association with the term was not particularly flattering, conjuring images of a manipulative seductress, taking advantage of others without remorse. However, Tony’s perspective on the term shifted my perception. A vixen, as he sees it, is not someone who exploits but someone who accepts the affection and adoration that others willingly offer. It’s a recognition of one’s own allure and power, a celebration of the capacity to evoke desire.
For me, being included in Tony Ward’s The Vixen Series wasn’t just an acknowledgment of my physical presence; it was a testament to the strength, intelligence, and heroism that define the diverse women he seeks to portray. To find myself considered in the same context as such inspiring figures was deeply humbling. Often, I grapple with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if I’m doing enough to justify my existence in this world. Tony’s invitation was a reassurance that my presence and contributions matter, a gentle nudge towards embracing my worth.
The journey with Tony and his team has been nothing short of enlightening. They have taught me to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us and to recognize the potential within myself. I am grateful for their friendship and guidance, and I only wish I could have extended my stay to absorb more of their wisdom.
The truth is, every one of us harbors a vixen within. It’s not just about being attractive or alluring; it’s about embracing the multifaceted qualities that make us uniquely powerful. Our inner vixen can be bold, perceptive, empathetic, or any blend of positive feminine traits. It’s about owning our strengths, sharing our wisdom, and empowering those around us. This experience has led me to ponder how others perceive me and how I might inspire them in turn. I believe we should all unapologetically embrace our inner vixens, radiating confidence and spreading empowerment wherever we go.
