Meet Your Neighbors: George and Christina

It’s been said, definitely by us, that there’s no jacket more perfect than a chore jacket. Originally made for our storytellers to wear in-store, their signature green Goods chore jacket was a piece that customer after customer requested to own for themselves. Of course, we always love a creative challenge and after two years and twenty eight days we released our limited-edition  Neighborhood Goods Chore Jacket. Now anyone can take our iconic outerwear home.

To launch these jackets, we collaborated with  creatives George Njomo and Christina Moreland to share their unique style perspective. George is a barista turned poet living in Austin, Texas and Christina is a freelance illustrator who spent her childhood in Germany before moving to Dallas, Texas, with her family. From the therapeutic qualities of poetry to creating art as a form of activism, we invite you to learn more about their creative processes. 

George Njomo 

How does writing poetry change the way you view the world?

To me, poetry has always been about how I process things. I’ve found it to be therapeutic for my thoughts to become art. It’s rather nerve-wracking to have people read, or listen to my work because those are my actual thoughts. While people won’t change what I write, it is an honour for people to enjoy it & genuinely be touched by my work.

Can you talk about the impact of poetry as a means of protest?

Poetry is powerful. When done well, it has the means to capture you to hang on every word recited. And if the poem is a call to action, you just do it.

How does your personal style reflect your creative aspirations?

Each piece of clothing has a story: where the material came from, the factory it was made in, the tailor’s creativity, the store it was bought in. What I choose to wear is, in essence, my decision to be a part of that story.

What is your favorite part about living in ATX?

There’s a plethora of places to eat, lots of coffee shops to visit, lovely running trails to be discovered, but most importantly, it's a unique city, brimming with creativity.

George’s Picks: 

Original Kraft Memo Book by Field Notes - $9.95

I like writing things down. Field Notes makes the perfect pocket notebook to combat those inconvenient inspirations! 

Christina Moreland

Can you talk about the impact of art as a means of protest?

I strongly advocate for art as a means of protest. To me, activism and fighting for justice or equality doesn’t look like one unique thing. Songs, art, and declarations of radical self-love are all valid forms of protest. There are creative ways to critique the systems that work against us, and especially against Black people, while still remaining mournful and respectful and empathetic.

Who are some of the other artists that have influenced your style, personally and artistically?

I love this question because I draw most of my inspiration from so many different artists and people. For starters, I’m obsessed with everything and anything my friends and heroes; Joonbug, Josef Adamu, Rambo Elliot, Fela Raymond, Lauren Woods, Alexis Franklin, and Tony Riff, just to name a few! 

Daily Tips for a Better Quality of Life: PSA series from Christina Moreland.

You have a knack for creating heartfelt, powerful, and no-BS illustrations that look like PSAs. How did you first get the idea to translate these big, important topics into a bite-sized medium?

Truthfully, I only recently discovered the impact my art could have as a means of activism. I’ve gone through several big life changes and hardships within recent years that have all impacted my mental and emotional health in some way. And I think it all started when I eventually created “Daily Tips for a Better Quality of Life,” as reminders to myself and others. Not long after my first few posts, I started receiving numerous comments and private messages from people sharing their stories and heartbreaks and vulnerabilities and kindness with me and so I kept going. I’ve been addicted ever since and in trying to help others, I’ve been able to help myself in ways I never imagined. 

What inspired the creation of Afro Gurl?

Over the years I’ve come up with many short stories and one day I came up with “Afro Gurl.” “Afro Gurl” was created accidentally, truth be told. It was easiest to use my body and face for references and it was fun reimagining myself. Eventually though, “Afro Gurl” became a sort of expressive therapy for me. During that time in my life I was still uncomfortable with my sexuality and generally very unsure about myself as a person and artist; “Afro Gurl” represented all that I wanted to be. She’s a badass vigilante of sorts, she’s confident in her queerness, and she’s brazen. I think the more I drew her, the more I saw myself in her. And I hope to do that for other young Black and mixed kids one day as well.

An illustration of Afro Gurl by Christina Moreland

Christina’s Picks:

MSN Bag by Rains - $95

Sleek, minimal, and compact backpack perfect for light travels. 

Get your Neighborhood Goods Chore Jacket before they’re gone and be sure to follow George and Christina for more creative inspiration.