How meeting Larry Poncho Brown changed my path.

When I lived in Baltimore for two and a half years, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have an art career. I loved painting, but the idea of stepping into the world as an artist felt intimidating. One day, my best friend’s mom said, “Hey, I know an artist. You should go to his studio and meet him.” That artist was the legendary Larry Poncho Brown.

I went to his studio with my portfolio in hand, nervous but hopeful. He welcomed me, looked through my work, and gave both encouragement and critique. At the end of our meeting, he asked me a question I’ll never forget:

“Why are you not showing your work? There are people with less talent out there showing. So why aren’t you going for it?”

At the time, I didn’t have an answer. But looking back, I realize I just needed the encouragement. I needed someone I respected to give me permission, to tell me it was possible. I needed a community that would nurture me and bring me to light.

That’s the kind of artist Larry Poncho Brown is.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Poncho has been creating for decades. After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art, he developed a style that blends bold colors, rhythmic patterns, and African symbolism with everyday Black culture. His work has been seen everywhere from international galleries to TV shows like The Cosby Show and A Different World, which helped bring Black art into millions of homes in the 1990s.

But what makes Poncho so impactful isn’t just his art, it’s his generosity. He’s mentored countless emerging artists through his “Rising Artist Development” program, and he’s raised funds for causes from sickle cell research to the arts. He’s proof that you can build a career as an artist while uplifting your community.

When I met him, I didn’t just meet a successful artist I met a mentor, even if just for an afternoon. His words lit a fire in me. They reminded me that my art belongs in the world, not hidden away.

For that, I’ll always carry his influence with me.