Kindred Noir was founded by Jayla Trenyce Watkins, a Black woman and fine arts graduate driven to create space for Black creatives to fully explore and sustain their artistic voices.

“Being the only Black woman in my major was a jarring and isolating experience, and I noticed that many other Black artists on campus were choosing more traditional career paths, prioritizing security over creative exploration. Pursuing the arts as a career is a privilege—not everyone has the opportunity to imagine a sustainable creative life—but it’s a privilege that all creators deserve. I wanted to hold space to help others move closer to realizing their creative identity.”

Determined to bridge this gap, Jayla launched the first Kindred Noir initiative: the inaugural Black Student Art Exhibition at Northern Illinois University in 2024. The exhibition celebrated Black student creativity, offered a platform for emerging artists, and marked the beginning of a broader mission: providing resources, guidance, and visibility to Black creatives navigating a landscape that often overlooks them.

Since then, Kindred Noir has evolved into a multidisciplinary organization supporting artists through professional development, digital marketing, nonprofit programming, and community-driven initiatives, continuing Jayla’s vision of empowering Black creatives to pursue their work fully, unapologetically, and sustainably.