by artists for artists

Kindred Noir is founded by Jayla Trenyce Watkins, a Black woman and fine artist 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.

Meet the Team

  • Jayla Trenyce

    FOUNDER

    Jayla Trenyce is a conceptual fine art photographer and creative entrepreneur based in Chicago. Her photographic practice centers the investigation of the complexities of Black femme identity formation through intimate, symbolic, and narrative-driven imagery. This work has been presented in exhibition settings and through documentation-based practices supporting organizational marketing and archival initiatives throughout the city of Chicago, most notably at The South Side Community Art Center and The Museum of Science and Industry’s 2026 Black Creative Juried Art Exhibition. Across all facets of her practice, she prioritizes collaboration, accessibility, and the creation of spaces for Black creatives.

  • Joshua McKeever

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

    Joshua McKeever (he/him) works at the intersection of art and science. Trained as a biologist, he earned his BS from Loyola University Chicago and is completing a PhD in Molecular Metabolism at the University of Chicago. His work is informed by a belief that scientific inquiry and artistic expression are acts of curiosity — both driven by observation, intuition, and imagination. This interdisciplinary perspective shapes his thinking and the evolution of his work.

  • Dana Ellis

    DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH

  • Rachel Smith

    TREASURER

  • Joselyn Singleton

    DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

    Joselyn Singleton is a key member of the Kindred Noir leadership team, serving as Program Assistant and close strategic collaborator. An educator by trade, she supports program development, organizational operations, and community engagement, functioning as an essential partner in advancing Kindred Noir’s mission and impact.