The B-Note Collection was created to re-educate Black people and pay homage to powerful liberators and freedom fighters, from the era of slavery to the civil rights movement. The collection features bills from $100 to $1, arranged in that order to symbolize the journey from slavery to civil rights
Malcolm X
Nina Simone
Dick Gregory
Martin Luther King Jr.
Harriet Tubman
Marcus “Mosiah” Garvey
Rosa Parks
Frederick Douglass
Nipsey Hussle
King Von
On August 19, 2018, I traveled to Washington, D.C., on the one-year anniversary of the passing of my ancestor, Dick Gregory, to meet with his son, Christian Gregory, and their family. I had the honor of presenting them with a print of the $5 B-Note featuring Dick Gregory.
It was a truly memorable day. Christian graciously picked me up from the bus station and gave me a tour of Washington, D.C., visiting significant sites where his father worked. He even took me to Dick Gregory’s office, where we spent time as he shared stories and reflections. We then visited Dick Gregory’s gravesite and concluded our day at the renowned restaurant Ben’s Chili Bowl, where my B-Note is proudly displayed.
In August 2018, I designed a special $2 bill B-Note featuring Dr. Nina Simone—the queen, the rebel, and an iconic singer-songwriter. A few weeks later, I found her daughter, Lisa Simone, on Instagram and reached out to her directly. I introduced myself, shared the story of the B-Note Collection, and told her what her mother’s legacy means to me, which is why I chose to honor her on the $2 bill.
She was delighted with the painting and genuinely loved it. I offered to gift her a print, and she mentioned that she lived in France and was about to go on tour there. I told her that I work for an airline and could bring it to her personally. She then generously gave me two complimentary concert tickets to her show. So, I called my camera person, and together we embarked on this journey to Zurich, Switzerland.
On February 21, 2019, the anniversary of Malcolm X’s assassination, I took my nephews to New York City to meet his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz. We gathered in the very room where Malcolm was killed, during her event, to present her with a print of the Malcolm X B-Note.