Rich City Silk Grounds

The Ohmies Season 1 closer is artist, activist, and community organizer, Sir Moore. Slide into the stu!

S01E10_SirMoore_Yoga Wit the Ohmies Podcast

Introduction [00:00:00] The Ohmies Season 1 closer is artist, activist and community organizer, Sir Moore.  Sir and I catch up after the opening of his new creative space, Rich City Silk Grounds. This convo commences mid mat chat.  I am sharing with Sir some highlights of my youth yoga series with NJIT, and then we segue to the impact of Sir’s work with Black Lives Matter Paterson. Slide into the stu for the final session of the season

Jewell Singletary [00:01:20] I'm just so appreciative of the opportunity because they let me the administration, they let me have free reign to create whatever curriculum I wanted to. And so I focused on emotional intelligence. And so every day I picked a new emotion. We would talk about it. We had to check in just to start, like, how are you feeling today? How's your energy? And then we had a specific topic. And then I took them through like some Kemetic yoga. We did Iyengar Hatha Yoga. There was some somatic movement there, like six different meditation styles that I taught them. So it was dope to be able to incorporate all that. And the students, they were into it at some point. They were like, I'm excited for this class. I'm like, wait, what? You're excited for yoga? They were like, yeah, that's dope. So it's nice that they got into it too.

Sir Moore [00:02:48] That's good, that's good to hear. It is crazy that you say that too, because with us having the BLM Camp like introducing kids to like stuff like that and them being, like, excited about it at a young age, you know, like how we were excited to like, you know, go play and stuff like that when we were young for them to be excited about stuff like that. You know, that's that's major, you know, that's like shifting like the energies into like what you essentially put your energy into. So that's that's amazing that they were excited to do that.

Jewell Singletary [00:03:25] Yes. And the babies needed too. And I love that you brought it up because I did just see the recent coverage on ABC7 for the BLM camp that you all did in Patterson. And then also I'm talking to you coming off the opening of

Sir Moore [00:03:53] It's all good. Silk City Rich Grounds.

Jewell Singletary [00:03:53] There we go! Silk City Rich Grounds. So we come in off the grand opening. And like all the hype around the work that you're doing, more so than the hype, it's really a much-needed spotlight to just finally putting some shine on all the good work. And that finally, I feel like people have been giving you your accolades. I don't know. You might feel differently, but it's nice to see momentum building around your work. And people like putting a spotlight on all of the good work that you're doing and Paterson and Essex County within Newark, because, you know, you're out here too making your stamp. So how does that feel coming off all of that momentum?

Sir Moore [00:04:35] Well, I feel like it's like this kind of like reminds me of like last year when, like the pandemic was going on and like me as like a documentarian and a photographer, like staying steady with that and putting out producing like what's going on in the world for people who aren't, like, outside. And getting a call from Symphony Hall, and them asking me, like, hey, we want to feature your work at Newark Symphony Hall. I'm like what? My work at Newark Symphony Hall? And that's like legendary. You know what I'm saying? Like, I don't know if people know how legendary Newark Symphony Hall is, but, you know, a lot of our people. They have come through, there and graced those stages and brought so much productivity to that space, and to have my work be a part of the revitalization of Newark Symphony Hall is a big honor. So this moment like reminds me of like last year, like when that happened to me and then people reaching out to me to do like panels and things like that. And people paying for my photography work and certainly back to like this same time last year, now opening up a space for the community and being able to provide space for people and the youth as well, you know, starting the BLM Youth Camp. Never would have thought, you know, never would have thought none of this would be possible. You know, I just for me, it's like, you know, I like tunnel vision and I just keep going until the minute the stations start to, like, speak for themselves, you know? So that's how I feel right now, I'm just basking in the moment and taking it all in, but like still like tunnel vision, you know.

Jewell Singletary [00:06:31] Yeah, I'd love that. And yes, Newark Symphony Hall is an iconic venue in this country, not just for the state of New Jersey or the city of Newark so if you don't please go and do your research. So that is an amazing honor to have you work featured at a venue of that stature. And it is. Yeah, it's one of those things like when you're doing your purpose work and you're focused. You're present. You're in those moments not even really thinking of what they could become along the path in your journey. That's when the beauty happens. That's when the magic happens. And it seems like so many blessings in your life have come to fruition and have manifested because you've been doing your purpose work and because you've been so focused on telling our stories and documenting our community and doing it so well as such a high level to like I'm so proud of you and all the work that you do and all the beauty that you create.

Sir Moore [00:07:35] Thank you so much. I appreciate that a lot and I guess just like human nature, that's like it feels good to hear that from, like your peers, you know what I'm saying? Like people that you grown with or just connected with and who created space and then seemed like the things you've talked about come to fruition. So it just it feels good to, you know, for you to say it and, you know, like a whole bunch of people that I'm close with my tribe for them to be like, "Yo, you spoke about it. You worked towards it, and now it's here." You know, so it's a great feeling.

Jewell Singletary [00:08:16] Yes, I almost don't kind of. I don't. Let's see, where do I want to go with this, because we're at when I first got introduced to you and your work, it was through your photography and the life that you bring to the events in Newark from Newark First Fridays. And I know I can't even think of all of the events that probably some of your Photomatic events, too, is one of my first introductions to your work. So I guess we can start there, like what got you started on that creative path to essentially you being able to create the life that you envision for yourself through your art and through your wellness work and through your organizing work and activism. What kind of started you on a path through all of that?

Sir Moore [00:09:24] Um. I guess it started like as a young kid, like being around my mom. She's an artist and a creative. Excuse me. She's been in the music industry most of my life and seeing her create and build with different artists, different art forms, different platforms being around her, and then my dad as well. So the artisticness comes from my mom and my pops. You know that my mom was a songwriter in the music industry for 30 plus years. My dad was a rapper, but he got into like artist development. And so after that, not after that, while simultaneously spending time with my grandmother, she was heavy, heavy in the like, school systems, like making sure that she was speaking up for the kids, making sure that we had better books to read.

Jewell Singletary [00:10:26] YES!

Sir Moore [00:10:26] Better programs for us to go to. And so I was going with her to like those meetings, you know, seeing her advocate for youth in the community, like single moms who didn't have the access to, like free programs for the kids, because while they're working, like the kids are either at home, you know, being unattended and, like, not being cared for or fed or whatever the case may be. And so she was advocating for a lot of that stuff and change the trajectory of like how single households can be built-up with the help of the school system because school is supposed to be a part of the growth in the household.

Jewell Singletary [00:11:18] Right, it's a resource!

Sir Moore [00:11:20] Exactly, exactly. So her, like a few other great women, were advocating for the school system and a lot of black men too as well, because there was a lot of single fathers as well, or even just parenting homes like a lot of them work. And then the kids are being left unattended because there aren't enough programs for the kids to go to to help, I guess, like partnering with the parents and the school system. Like you said, it's a resource. And so that's what I saw her doing as I was like getting older and I guess it rubbed off on me as I got older, you know, college. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it definitely did. So.

Jewell Singletary [00:12:06] That's dope.

Sir Moore [00:12:06] That's where all this stuff originates from, you know, just being around that atmosphere and, you know, like like we do as we're we're teachers now, you know, of the community to the young folks in exposing them to new things. And so that's what happened to me being exposed to those conversations in those moments. So just like, you know, we want better for the community. And my grandmother paved the way for the.

Jewell Singletary [00:12:33] That was beautiful. So you truly are like an amalgamation. Probably just jack that whole word up but you're like a combination of both of your parent's creative work and then grandma's activism too. That's really dope.

Sir Moore [00:12:49] Absolutely. Yeah.

Jewell Singletary [00:12:51] I mean, you know, we say all the time, but children really are sponges and they just soak up whatever you expose them to. And I love the way that I see you bringing your son out on your different photoshoot gigs too, and seeing him catch his own BTS footage. Like you can tell, like, children they will absorb whatever you put them around, and if it's you're pouring into them and you're sharing your love with them, your art, your activism, like, they're going to be the next generation, get up and run with it. So that's really dope to see, like, you're creating the next generation of artists and activists with your son, too. That's really to see.

Sir Moore [00:13:31] Right. Yeah, absolutely.

Jewell Singletary [00:13:37] So I want to bounce around a little bit, too, because I've seen you get more into your wellness bag over the past year or two, particularly with yoga and then now veganism. So what was the spark or catalyst for you? What made you want to more so prioritize your well-being and your wellness?

Sir Moore [00:14:05] Well, for me personally, it's like I so our family has a history of like Lynch syndrome, and for those who don't know, Lynch syndrome is like stomach cancer. And so a lot of my family members have gotten it. And what I recognize is that it comes from a long line of eating horrible food, you know, horrible. That's how cancers are created. You know, the things that we are putting in our bodies.

Jewell Singletary [00:14:38] Right.

Sir Moore [00:14:40] The products that we're putting on our skin and the clothes that we wear, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Jewell Singletary [00:14:46] Toxic. All toxins. Yup!

Sir Moore [00:14:48] Yeah, exactly. And so and the thing is, it's like it's tough, too, because as Black folks, you know. It's a part of our Black history to Black history is American history. And when you think about it like, you know, we've created the clothing that we wear and ended up creating these products and stuff, unfortunately, because we live in America. We was brought here, drugged here to America, unwillingly, and we had to create a life for ourselves. And so we got to use what was here, you know, and as time went on. I don't know if anyone has ever watched High on the Hog. It talks about the lineage of our Black foods from mac and cheese to okra and bacon. All that stuff.

Jewell Singletary [00:15:43] That's on Netflix, right? Is it Netflix? You're the second person I talked about High on the Hog. I feel like I need to watch it before the third person come around and tell me.

Sir Moore [00:15:54] Yooooo you absolutely should, because, like, it was no coincidence that that came out this year. It just showed me and probably other people, how we engage in our food. we made nothing out of something, you know, and we make something out of nothing as we were being enslaved is created a traditional like thing now. You know, it's like Thanksgiving we eating these like high, high fatty foods, adding salt and things like that to make it taste good. And so we. It's a long line of history of stuff like that, and so we spent a lot of time doing that and so that has created a lot of health history issues with Black folks. And so that's unfortunately what happened to my family. So that's what forced me to get into like veganism. My uncle, who is like seventy-one now, he was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome cancer at 19 years old. And he's a really, really good basketball player at the time in Florida. And unfortunately, because of the Lynch Syndrome, he had to wear like a bag at 19 years old and it forced to stop him from playing any type of sports, any like physical activity. So he's been wearing a bag since 19 years old and he's 71 years old now.

Jewell Singletary [00:17:36] Wow.

Sir Moore [00:17:36] When he became a vegan at 19 years old. And this is I'm talking about this is the 60s. And so I never knew that, you know, and until I got into veganism two and a half years ago, he explained to me too,like, all I eat is vegetables, you know, vegetables or fruits and grains and stuff like that, and he's seventy-one. So, you know, there's a blueprint right there for me. You know, I thought I was the only one in the family that was like on this path, you know? But I have him to lean on and ask for guidance and like, recipes and things of that nature. But that's been like that was the main reason why I became a vegan because I never want to go through any type of, like, cancer battle.

Jewell Singletary [00:18:27] Right.

Sir Moore [00:18:29] At all, you know, I wish that on nobody, you know.

Jewell Singletary [00:18:33] I don't know anyone, anyone's life who cancer has not touched and you are so right, we are either feeding an illness or we are giving ourselves nourishment that could provide healing for our body. Wow. I appreciate you sharing that and enlightening the listeners. I've never, never heard of Lint Syndrome? that's what it's called? Did I pronounce that correctly?

 Jewell Singletary [00:19:18] Lynch like lynching a person?

Sir Moore [00:19:21] Yeah. Yes, exactly, exactly.

Jewell Singletary [00:19:24] Woooow!!

Sir Moore [00:19:24] That's what I was saying, like, it's crazy that it's called Lynch Syndrome. You know, we don't gotta get too deep but the writing is there. And so it all plays a part of life in a lineage and all that stuff, you know? That's what I was saying about the things that we eat, the products we put on our skin and clothing and stuff like that. Like all of that plays a part of the grand scheme of like, that cancer another form of like Supremacy. I hate saying the word supremacy, but a system saying that we have adapted to and grown to just adapt and to create some of our own. So I'm trying to ween out of that as much as I can.

Jewell Singletary [00:20:12] It truly is like a systematic poisoning of us, like it's a poisoning of our minds and our bodies. Like I, I get where you're going with that for sure. Like it's something that I've been mindful of since I was a little girl. I developed lupus, which is an autoimmune illness. And even as a little girl, it was to me it didn't. In the early 90s, there was just so much uncertainty about what lupus was and there still is because a lot of research money has not gone to study it and to provide tools that could create a cure for healing. Right. Is the pharmaceutical industry that wants to keep us sick. So even as a little girl I'm like you can't even definitively tell me what this illness is and how it's going to impact my body long term. But you want me to take a medication every single day that we don't know what's going to happen? Like you're telling me, I have I'm going to live with lupus for the rest of my life. So from the age of 12, until, God willing, I live to one hundred years old, I'm supposed to take a pill every day. And my little girl spirit was like, no, I'm not doing this. There has to be another way. And I didn't immediately jump into holistic healing like it took decades for me to transition my life. But it really like I changed. My food was first. After college, I completely cut out fast food and that dramatically changed my levels of inflammation. Like I was able to walk better. I had to walk with a cane when I was in college because that's how badly inflamed my body was and how the lupus and rheumatoid arthritis had impacted my joints. And so it started with changing my diet. And then it was my hair. I started to go natural and stopped putting chemicals in my hair. And then I started developing my own products for my hair and for my body. So now I make all of my own hair oils and body butters. I make my own natural deodorant. I found a Black-owned toothpaste company. That's all-natural, like no additives. So that that stuff really does matter. And now at this stage in the transition, I'm moving more towards eliminating plastics from my life. So I only use glass containers and just be mindful of those things because it is all a lot of the cancers and autoimmune illnesses that we develop. It is hereditary, yes, but then a lot of it is environmental. And then also the third piece of it is nutritional, like what we put in and on our bodies and our skin being the biggest organ, what we're putting on our skin. So. Kudos for you for acknowledging all of that and making the transition and change. I've not been able to fully push myself into veganism as of yet, but I'm about 80 to 90 percent plant-based. And we'll see if I ever get to that last 10 to 20 percent. I'm still working on finding viable protein sources, but it does make a huge difference in how I feel. And I believe that I can eventually heal myself of autoimmune illness and disease with how I treat my body so that I goal. Yeah.

Sir Moore [00:23:35] Yeah, that's that's I mean, that's essentially what our body does. The human body, you know, especially women's bodies are like one of the most like, amazing things, ever. Like the recovery stages of so many things, like look at women who give birth, everything that we go through has like a I don't want to call it an ugly stage. Like the stage that's like unfamiliar.

Jewell Singletary [00:24:09] Yea!

It's insane what our bodies can do and how they are formed. Like when I really stop to think about it, it's it's overwhelming, like how amazing our bodies are. And we don't even so many of us are just walking around completely unaware in these vessels that are magical, they are truly divine.

Sir Moore [00:26:25] Right yeah, yeah, you nailed it. You nailed it, like I feel like we undermine our bodies so much.

Jewell Singletary [00:26:33] Yea we do.

Sir Moore [00:27:01] Like where our bodies are so fragile, but yet so strong.

Sir Moore [00:27:01] I really feel like we undermine the value of life or the quality that our bodies go through and then look at the circumstances that we grow up in it's like damn, like we've endured so much. And so connecting that to like, you know, why I eat the way I eat, that's the whole reason why, you know, I'm Saying because our bodies are a prime example of, like, how we treat the world, how we treat ourselves. And it's an example that our bodies will always react the way that we treat them.

Sir Moore [00:28:39] And so, like, just coming from the perspective of like seeing people that I care about go through it just like man, I would do I would be doing, you know, even, you know, I would be doing you a disservice. And the people that I love a disservice if I don't take care of myself, you know, how am I going to be there for you all if I'm not taking care of myself? You know? And that's how I start to look at things. And it starts with like, you know, eating a lot better than you once did when we first got here to America, you know.

Jewell Singletary [00:29:17] Yeah, and that's dope. Yeah, and I appreciate that you ended on that note of really the concept of you have to pour into yourself first before you can help anyone else through your purpose work, through anything that you do like even if you're a parent moving through your day, like you legit, you can't give to your kids if you don't have enough mental and physical stamina for yourself. So that's so important.

Jewell Singletary [00:29:50] And even like we really don't think. Of how interconnected we are on this earth regardless of if we share some type of DNA or a marital commitment, we are a collective part of this earth and the community. And the more we take care of ourselves, our physical health, our emotional health, and mental health, our spiritual health, the more grounded we are. The more we can contribute to this world in a truly meaningful way.

Jewell Singletary [00:31:52] I'm gonna switch gears a little bit. How did you get turned on to yoga as a healing practice?

Sir Moore [00:32:04]yoga has been like a constant, constant practice, you know, even days when I don't feel like doing it. Those are the days that you need to do things like that, you know, because just tend to yourself, all your chakras and help you, you know, take on the day because life is hard. And like, you know, it's a hard thing, especially for Black and Brown people. You know, every day we're living on defense and, you know, we never really have to be soft and gentle and, you know, even among each other. And so.

Jewell Singletary [00:34:33] Yeah. [00:34:34

Jewell Singletary [00:34:36] We don't have space to just be at ease.

Sir Moore [00:34:39] Right, right, right. And so, like, you know, living Black and uninterrupted, you know, like that's that's that's that's something that I feel like that's a part of my calling as a Black person is to create spaces for Black folks to be uninterrupted in, you know.

Jewell Singletary [00:35:24] That's dope. I love that. Thank you for sharing that. And that's just another beautiful example as we start to see wellness is trending. Yoga has been trending. And it can be overwhelming, a lot of people don't know where to start. You see veganism trending now more, too, but it really is it's lifestyle changes and it's mindset changes that take place over the course of years. Like, I love that you said you've been practicing yoga since you were a child and then it only in recent years has manifested to practicing veganism and trying to dramatically alter your diet. So that has been like a decade or more that you've been on the journey to physical well-being and how that manifests in terms of how you take care of your muscles and bone structure in asana practice. And then, of course, the meditation piece and the mind and then now you're adding nutrition and it takes time. Like, I don't. People, we live in a microwave generation for sure, and people think that I have to make these shifts all at once, like, no, it's going to take time for you to. Make lifestyle changes, but they're so worth it, and if you dedicate yourself to yourself and to your healing and to your health and prioritize your well-being, I think only goodness and abundance can come of it.

Sir Moore [00:37:05] I agree. Totally agree.

Jewell Singletary [00:37:10] That's dope and I love that the concept of. Being uninterrupted in your Blackness. I see that I see that across your brands and how you show us so beautifully and all of our elements in the joy, in the fellowship and the family like you capture it all. I love. I love what you do in terms of the imagery that you create, but also the communities that you build.

Sir Moore [00:37:45] Thank you, I appreciate that. You know, I I just aspire to like have like a big community, because I didn't grow up in, like a you know, a huge family. You know, I'm just not that it wasn't enough for me. Like, I'm not being ungrateful for it, but like, I wish or aspire to have, like, a big community family and a big family myself too, you know, lineage wise. And I just love that. I love being around people. I love engaging with people. It gives me joy just to be around people, seeing other people do what they do. and conversing with other people. Just getting to know people like this. I love that. And then communing with people, you know, like sharing different stories and learning from each other and building different things. Or, you know, one conversation could spark an idea or help someone, you know, evolve to the next level or to where they feel stuck maybe, you know, and that one conversation could have sparked something in them to say, you know what? You know, I spoke to someone today that I didn't know. Now I know them. And they've given me so many gems to help me propel in my life, you know, and we help each other because everyone doesn't know everything. But we all know something. We all know something. And we can share what we know with each other. And that's how we get the answers and solutions to the things that are like detrimental to the world. And we figure it out as we go, you know.

Jewell Singletary [00:39:25] Yes, I one thousand percent believe that everyone here on this earth is meant to teach you something every when you come in contact with and meet, so absorb what you can from everyone along the way. This has been such a good conversation. I appreciate you. We have.

Sir Moore [00:39:49] Yea no, I appreciate you.

Jewell Singletary [00:39:50] Thank you. Yes, so we have one last segment of the podcast. It's called Inside the Ohmies Studio. [00:39:58]

Jewell Singletary [00:41:08] So make sure you're comfortable. We start with a collective breath, so just exhale all of the air that's currently in your lungs. And together, we inhale. Exhale to release.

Jewell Singletary [00:41:33] Describe your personal style in one word.

Sir Moore [00:41:37] Eclectic.

Jewell Singletary [00:41:42] What's one thing you wish you can change about the world?

Sir Moore [00:41:47] Hate.

Jewell Singletary [00:41:49] What brings you Joy?

Sir Moore [00:41:53] Food.

Jewell Singletary [00:41:56] What makes you cry?

Sir Moore [00:42:06] Hate.

Jewell Singletary [00:42:12] What type of impact do you want to have on this earth?

Sir Moore [00:42:34] Love, I want a loving impact.

Jewell Singletary [00:42:40] What's your favorite thing about being Black?

Sir Moore [00:42:45] Being Black.

Jewell Singletary [00:42:46] Yes.

Sir Moore [00:42:47] The whole thing, all of it.

Jewell Singletary [00:42:49] I love it. What do you hope for your community?

Sir Moore [00:42:58] Growth.

Jewell Singletary [00:43:01] What do you love most about yourself?

Sir Moore [00:43:12] That I care.

Jewell Singletary [00:43:15] What's your favorite book?

Sir Moore [00:43:19] Oh, wow, favorite book? Well, right now I'm reading it now it's called The Black Fatigue by Mary Frances Winters.

Jewell Singletary [00:44:11] OK, last question. Name five music artists that would appear on the soundtrack of your life.

Sir Moore [00:44:20] Oooo! Geesh! Common, for sure. J. Cole. I would say, Faith Evans. Lauryn Hill. And one more would be. I would say Kanye.

Jewell Singletary [00:44:59] dope, I love it, I don't think anyone has said any of those five before. I love it.

Jewell Singletary [00:45:21] You were the perfect closer for the season. Thank you so much, Sir Moore. I appreciate you.

Sir Moore [00:45:31] And look and I appreciate you for having me on your show. You're doing amazing things as well, and I congratulate you, too, as well. I'll give you your flowers as well. Continue to do great things. You know, anything you need. I got you anyway. I can help you in any capacity. You've been a great friend and I appreciate you.

Jewell Singletary [00:45:55] Thank you. Before you go, let the people know where they can find you, the social media, the website, all of the things.

Sir Moore [00:46:06] You can find me at Sir Moore. That's S-I-R-M-0-0-R-E. You can follow my news space, which is Silk City Rich Ground. It's spelled the way I said it SILK-CITY-RICH-GROUND. You can follow my vegan business. It's "So Veggies and Moore." And that's pretty much it, and anything else you want to know. You can also follow BLM Patterson on Instagram that spell that way, BLM Patterson, and that's pretty that's pretty much it, you know, any of those things. And you'll see what's going on. I do a plethora of things. So if you want to get involved and want to know what's going on, you'll see from there. So.

Jewell Singletary [00:46:54] Thank you. And I will link all of those in the show so people have the correct spelling and they can find you. I'll put your website on there, too. I know you didn't say it, but we're going to put it on there and drive some traffic to our platforms.

Sir Moore [00:47:03] [laughing] thank you.