The Artist Behind the Movement: Introducing Maarifa
Photo taken at the Ujima Adult and Family Services, Inc., in San Jose, California. The art featured in the photo is an 18×24 inch graphite portrait of Fred Hampton, drawn by Maarifa, and given to Ujima as a gift.
Born in Vallejo and raised in the heart of Oakland, California, Maarifa is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur whose work stands at the crossroads of culture, psychology, and community transformation. His art began as a personal outlet but evolved into a lifelong mission: to tell honest stories, preserve New Afrikan/ Pan-African culture, and build bridges of understanding through creativity. Today, he channels that mission through Maarifa’s Portraits LLC, a visual arts and apparel brand rooted in realism, symbolism, and the lived experiences of Black communities and Black history.
As a mixed-media portrait artist, Maarifa’s work blends graphite precision with vibrant color, cultural iconography, and street-level authenticity. His portraits don’t simply capture faces — they reveal energy, identity, and the psychological layers behind a person’s story. This approach guides the entire brand, from fine-art commissions to apparel drops to new design concepts built for both daily wear and long-term cultural impact.
Maarifa’s Portraits LLC represents more than a business: it’s a growing ecosystem of creative expression. His vision includes expanding premium apparel lines, curating gallery-level shows, and developing art-education programs that teach youth and adults how to use creativity as a form of healing and empowerment. Every project he takes on — from new T-shirt designs to posters to social-media visuals — is built around accessibility, uplift, and meaning.
That same commitment to truth and community fuels his work on the Residues of Class Struggles Podcast, where he serves as co-host. The podcast explores the emotional, cultural, psychological, and historical residues of class oppression, particularly within Black and working-class communities. Through real stories, grounded analysis, and a willingness to confront hard truths, the show creates a space for listeners to learn, reflect, and grow. The conversations are rooted in lived experience — from family histories to neighborhood dynamics to interpersonal relationships shaped by class struggle.
Photo of an episode of Maarifa and cohost Ndege, discussing the importance of the adoption of Revolutionary Name Choices among African descendants in America.
With each episode, Maarifa and his co-hosts build an archive of knowledge that connects personal experience to larger social realities. The show speaks directly to people navigating the weight of generational struggle, identity, and survival, offering education and empowerment in a form that feels authentic and accessible. The podcast, like his artwork, is part of his larger mission to use creativity as a vehicle for healing and Self knowledge.
Today, as he continues developing new designs, expanding his apparel line, and producing meaningful podcast content, Maarifa’s focus is on growth — both personally and as a brand. His long-term vision includes a thriving multimedia platform, gallery exhibitions, clothing lines that tell cultural stories, and educational spaces where the next generation can learn the power of art and critical consciousness.
From Oakland to everywhere his work travels now, Maarifa’s journey is a testament to creativity, resilience, and purpose. Through art, apparel, and conversation, he is building a legacy rooted in truth, culture, and community empowerment and uplift.
