meet Courtney

Hello, my name is Courtney Bernard. I was born in New York City. I grew up in a big house with people who always loved me. I began modeling in the year 2020. I've always wanted to be a model since I was a child. I struggled with my confidence to be vulnerable at first. Because I have difficulty reading and I have eczema, 

I have been bullied my entire life. I didn't want to be seen, but my aunt always said to me, "You are beautiful, stop hiding it"—Auntie Kai. I hear my aunt's voice saying to me every time I go to my photoshoots. 

I began modeling because I'd always wanted to appear on billboards and TV, commercials, and work with various brands. God and a stunning black woman named Winnie Harlow. 

She is a stunning black model with a skin condition who is stunning both inside and out. Her faith in herself. She motivates me to keep going because she is unlike any other model. She pushed her way to the top when no one wanted a change, but she gave young black girls a chance to prove they could be models.

Lynnise Monday is a dedicated nurse, model, celebrity stylist, designer, and entrepreneur. She is involved in her community and has volunteered at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital numerous times to help sickly children and their families. She graduated from nursing school at the age of 18 and is mostly known for her love of customizing and designing authentic designer fabrics for shoes and clothing. She has worked with multiple well-known people in the music industry and has recently started an up-and-coming casting agency in the city she was raised in but intends on making it an worldwide opportunity for people all over to pursue their acting and modeling careers. Her mission is to live in her truth and help others do the same. 

My name is Akeya! I’m a fashion, natural hair, and self-care content creator in North Carolina! My name is “akeyachic”, because it’s like always chic when it comes to me! I love dressing up and getting fabulous every day! My brand is here to inspire young people to be themselves unapologetically! When I’m not creating and sharing looks, I am either modeling or doing photography!  Photography has always had a special place in my life. When I was younger, I shot still motion videos and took photos of nature. 

Eventually, I was even given the amazing opportunity to photograph my aunt’s wedding! In 2018, I took my love for photography to the next level and established my own business. It still warms my heart that I am able to capture unforgettable moments for people. When I am not doing photography, I spend my time modeling (yes, I model too), playing around in beauty and fashion, or learning something new.

Christina Kanu is a passionate leader, a dedicated visionary, and committed to the empowerment of people through her positive influence. She was named one of the World Wide Women Group’s Women Influencers in 2016. She is the CEO of Christina Kanu Consulting LLC. Christina Kanu Consulting is a business and brand consulting firm. Her personal motto is “Changing the world one leader at a time” and she does this daily through her efforts. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. 

Christina also serves on the Board of Directors for World Wide Women Group. She received her BA from Old Dominion University in English Literature. She received her MA in African American Studies from Clark Atlanta University in 2018. Christina is the host of the Babies, Books, and Business Podcast. 

She uses this platform to help women navigate motherhood, business, and higher education. She is an avid tea lover and mug collector. In her spare time she loves attending social events, traveling, listening to music , and spending time with those she loves. She is the mother of Jayce Carter Kofi Wells. You can follow her on social media at @MissKanu. 

The Art Trap House is a culturally diverse traveling music and fine arts platform that serves as a catalyst for rising artists across the nation. Each exhibition helps to develop rising artists of all genres by giving them the tools necessary to gain exposure, build connections, and learn the importance of reinvesting and flipping their money to make more.

The Art Trap House (T.A.T.H.) began in Charlotte in 2016. Founder Aja Cobbs, an artist herself, realized that many art exhibits were lacking promotion, and the artists came unprepared on many different levels. She also notices the people who attended the shows were not interacting with the artists. So she created and designed The Art Trap House to bridge those gaps and help maximize the exposure of artists and their work 

“The Art Trap House is a fun, culturally diverse experience,” she says, describing it as a traveling music and arts festival “where guests can purchase amazing art.” T.A.T.H. caters to all artists, but specializes in the development of African American artists and entrepreneurs. “Its purpose is to showcase the talents of new and seasoned artists, providing an opportunity and passion for the arts, one city at a time.” 

“Music, poetry, dance, and art have played a role in African American culture for thousands of years,” she says, both “to help deliver messages and to heal people.” And in her own creative and healing journey she has worked with numerous artistic messengers, including rappers Merc the World from Columbia, SC, Cash Rodgers from Baltimore, MD, Shawn Sky from Virginia, and others. 

Aja attended Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC, planning to obtain a degree in Fashion Merchandising. She moved to Charlotte, and after quitting her day job in 2016—the same year she had her own first exhibition—she founded The Art Trap House. 

Her mission with every show is to give back to the community. T.A.T.H. hosts fundraising events to pay for school supplies or provide food to the less fortunate, teaches children to paint and use art to express their emotions, and through exhibits or special events, addresses social justice issues within the communities. 

With the help of friends Aja has taken the traveling interactive exhibit around the country, including Asheville, Charlotte, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Austin, TX (during SXSW), Atlanta, and even New York. This summer’s tour will take Aja to the DIME Detroit (MI), Fashion Show, June 1; the New Era Music Fest, June 8; The Plug-Glow Party in Asheville, June 20; and The Art Trap House “Graffiti” at Overspray, on Staten Island, NY, August 3 and 4.

As a fashion designer, painter, exhibition host, and entrepreneur, Aja Cobb is determined to bring attention to her fellow artists as she moves both their work and their reputations to a new level. 

Since Covid-19 Aja Cobbs and The Art Trap House team, Summer Casiano, Genesis Lipshy, and with the Collaboration of many other creatives have produced a live broadcast called Live From Philly and now a new podcast Called The Good Dealer Podcast. It will air visually on YouTube, Streamyard. Facebook and Twitch and by audio on Audiomack, SoundCloud, and iTunes!!! This will air every Thursday at 8 pm.  This podcast will talk about art, business, fitness, lifestyle and so much more. Coming March 2020

The Art Trap (T.aking R.eal A.rt P.laces) House is a diverse, traveling, music, and arts festival that serves as a platform and catalyst to rising local stars across the nation. To learn more about The Art Trap House, visit www.TheArtTrapHouse.com