Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Rafael.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I was born in Bronx, New York, to Two immigrants parents from the Dominican Republic. I have two-half sisters, one from my mother’s side and the other from my brother’s side. I had an older half-brother and a little brother. Majority of my life, I grew up with my little brother. My other siblings already moved out of the house most of the time they would visit during Christmas and thanksgiving. We live in New York until I was seven and moved to winter haven, Florida. My parents it would be a better environment for my little brother and me. I grew up in a very strict Christian household. We would go to church every Sunday. You can say I was a very happy kid that’s always smiling. A ball of light and energy. I had very strict parents.
My father was very old school, he grew in a farm, and he was the oldest of 11 siblings. So, he needed to drop out of school so he can help his parents with bills and his siblings. So, he had to grow up at a really young age. My father is very Authoritative like it’s only his way. If you didn’t agree with him, you were against him. He was really good with his hands, Like the ultimate Carpentier. He was a genius when it comes to building. With the little wood, he was able to make what he needed. He also was very charming; he would always flirt with women in public. He was always that provider and got whatever I and my brother needed. He was also very abusive verbally and physically. My father’s English wasn’t great, so there was this expectation and responsibility put on my shoulders to be his translator, if he receives a letter from the doctor or the government there was this expectation of needing to translate for it. If I wasn’t able to translate for him, he would just make me feel incompetent. He would say things like “why are you going to school if you can’t even translate this simple letter for me?”. There were days that I didn’t go to school because he needed me or to translate for him whenever he needed to go to the doctor, court, or run any errands. It’s like everything would go through me, not just being frustrated with people and having to translate, but even my parent’s relationship. At times I had to be their therapist. A lot of this going on, and anytime we would have company over, we would have to act like everything was alright when it wasn’t.
My mother on the other hand. She was a very compassionate woman. She was the life of party anytime she walked in. She always gave this welcoming energy anytime any of my friends would come over to my house. She was always everyone was fed and taken care of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing I also went through an identity crisis, my parents not being well educated to explain race and ethnicity. My father is a very dark-skinned man. I grew this self-hatred towards my own skin. I was the stereotypical Dominican that did not acknowledge my blackness. I despised him, I was also despising myself. After I move out to Lakeland with roommates, I was still lost, was the search of myself, and I really identified. I heard the term “Afro Latino” and adopted it for a while. Fast forward to 2020, during Covid, my partner at the time decided to do a DNA test. Results came I was 66% from west Africa, the highest percentage was Nigeria & 27% from European. So, for certain I identify as black; this just puts a nail in the coffin. So, if you ask me now. I identify as black first and foremost, and everything else is after because that was a part of myself that I did not love and embrace that is something now that I put in the forefront. Other obstacles that I face were my body and just loving myself. So, a lot of battles were really internal battles with how I viewed myself. It’s all still a journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
– Gritty & Abstract is a streetwear brand that elevates the grittiness and abstractness of street dance. Pushing artists and dancers to be themselves unapologetically. We focus on slow fashion, individualism, and meaningful garments. it started after having a dance session with the crew and us not seeing each other for a long time. It was great creative energy in the music, then weird type, experimental type of music started to be played, and we went into this what we call “Dark mode” where we start exploring different characters and exploring different ways of movement. I just made a comment, “Dam, we are getting really “gritty & Abstract,” so that’s where it was birth, and after that, I’ve started to draw sketches. Down the line, here we are.
– It’s not trendy. It’s not a seasonal brand. All of its pieces fulfill a purpose, a story, and a message.
– I’m most proud of the supporting community that it has cultivated from the support of the Florida dance scene.
– A person that wants to wear something more meaningful. A person that wants is feel represented not only through movement but through life. Someone wants to be reminded that their existence matters. garments/products
– The “I Embody” tee is an affirmation tee. It has a crossword on the back and a text above those states,” I’m the embodiment of what you see.” Allow the viewer to identify what the being is embodying. The crossword puzzle has multiple words on the shirt to allow a vast of adjectives to describe the person. I also people to order words crossed out so they can pick out words it can be unique to a person becoming a one of one.
– The “People’s thoughts” hoodie is a statement. I affirm how much more of a person there is than what we know. Even from what we know, it still doesn’t define a person of the things that we think we know
– “Thank You, bag – An oversize tote back for your everyday use and your daily gratitude bag to affirm that someone is thankful for who are. It also has a secret message inside as well. A visual representation of we wants our message to be internalized.
– Thank You, belt- You are appreciating for who you are no matter the size. Let this belt reaffirm that.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
– My determination when I set my mind to something. I will figure out any way to make it happen.
– My Grit, through the many hardships that I’ve faced in my life and manage to pull through it
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Grittyandabstract.com
- Instagram: gritty_abstr.ct
- Facebook: Gritty & Abstract
- Other: Personal IG: Joshua.rafaelx
