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By HWM<\/p>\n
Hailing from the South Bronx, she has walked a powerful path from community advocate to honor graduate and philanthropist to a resilient widow. Stephanie Woods-McKinney<\/a> has turned grief into an impactful legacy.<\/p>\n For Stephanie Woods-McKinney,<\/a> success has never been measured solely by professional accomplishments.<\/p>\n Never miss new stories in Harlem<\/p>\n It has also been defined by the relationships she has built, the stories she has helped tell, and the positive impact she hopes to leave on her community.\u00a0<\/p>\n A photojournalist, community advocate, and visionary event founder, Woods-McKinney represents a woman whose personal and professional experiences have shaped a lifelong appreciation for culture, storytelling, education, and service.<\/p>\n As a long-time community activist and Co-Chair of Harlem\u2019s Community Board #10 Youth & Education Committee, her activism has fueled her purpose, and her education at the College of New Rochelle helped lay a foundation for intellectual growth, personal development, and the confidence to pursue her interests. That experience became part of a broader journey defined by determination, curiosity, and a commitment to making meaningful contributions to her community and the friendships and relationships she has established through it all.\u00a0<\/p>\n A Passion for Photojournalism and Storytelling<\/p>\n As a photojournalist, she has embraced the importance of documenting people, culture, and experiences that deserve to be seen and remembered.<\/p>\n Photography is more than capturing an image. It is about preserving history, recognizing humanity, and telling stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. As a hip-hop photojournalist, she has a deep appreciation for journalism, which reflects an understanding that representation matters, particularly when documenting the achievements, contributions, and experiences of African American communities and hip-hop culture.\u00a0 It was her deep love for hip-hop culture that let her to meet her mate for life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beyond the Lens: A True Hip-Hop Love Story:\u00a0<\/p>\n As a Desert Storm Veteran, Todd Dale McKinney faced many health challenges after service and left Hampton, Virginia, to return to New York, where he grew up as a child. He wanted a fresh start after a better divorce. It was June 12, 2008, when Woods attended a book signing for Grandmaster Flash; this was the night she met McKinney.\u00a0 McKinney asked her to take a picture of himself and GM Flash with his flip phone, but Woods offered to take a professional shot with her Canon EOS Rebel camera for the perfect professional image.\u00a0 McKinney thanked her with dinner, and 14 years later, they were married and still madly in love.\u00a0<\/p>\n The End to a Great Story:<\/p>\n After 14 years of good times, McKinney began to constantly suffer from major heart ailments and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor was removed April 5, 22019, and they were married July 26, 2019. While the tumor was benign, McKinney continued to suffer heart complications and 3 years later he passed away from septic shock.\u00a0 Woods-McKinney was devastated, but she went straight to work, utilizing the relationships she continued to maintain from her years of service as a hip hop photojournalist and community advocate.\u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Rap a Taste: A Fine Fashion Wear Share \u2014 Where Fashion Meets Purpose<\/p>\n Founded by Woods-McKinney<\/a> in loving memory of her late husband, Todd Dale McKinney, affectionately known as Dale, Woods-McKinney donated over 40 hip hop artifacts to the new Hip Hop Museum located at 585 Exterior Street along the Harlem River in the Mott Haven South Bronx Neighborhood.\u00a0 McKinney loved hip hop and high-end fashion and held a deep love for community, and he left a lasting impression on his neighbors and those close to him.\u00a0 It is in his honor that Woods-McKinney organized an event to gift his fine clothing to men of color who are in the process of betterment or uplifting their communities; the event is much more than a clothing giveaway.\u00a0 The event is planned as a celebration; a day to recognize a group of men who are usually overlooked and not acknowledged.\u00a0 \u00a0According to Woods-McKinney, the event was designed to create an occasion that would honor his memory while extending generosity, dignity, and encouragement to other men.<\/p>\n Guests will have an opportunity to receive quality men\u2019s clothing, designer shoes, coats, hats, and fashion accessories. These items, many from McKinney\u2019s personal clothing collection which carry a significance that extends far beyond their material value, and each piece represents an opportunity to share something meaningful while helping the men feel valued, celebrated and seen. Presented in partnership with The Hip Hop Museum and Veterans Action Now, the event will also celebrate the cultural influence of hip-hop and the contributions of men whose work has helped shape their communities.<\/p>\n Special recognition awards are planned with participation from elected officials, community representatives, and hip-hop pioneers, including Tony Crush of the Cold Crush Brothers, Mr. Biggs of Soulsonic Force, graffiti pioneer Jam Top, Minister\/author Anita Scipio (Hip Hop Time Capsule: Document Your Personal Journey), Visionary Closing by\u00a0Dr. Scorpio Rogers, Ph.D., MBA and a reflection of character by Dr. Mark Naison (African American Studies and History Fordham University). DJ Suss One will add an atmosphere designed to bring it all together, and community motivator Boogie Black will host the celebration.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beneath the music and celebration is a deeply personal story about love, remembrance, and the courage to transform loss into something meaningful.<\/p>\n Harlm World Magazine: What inspired you to create Let\u2019s Rap a Taste: A Fine Fashion Wear Share, and why is this event so personal to you?<\/p>\n Stephanie Woods-McKinney: My inspiration comes from my late husband, whom I affectionately called Dale. He loved fashion, hip-hop, and looking his best. He took pride in his appearance, and his clothing was an expression of his personality and his upbringing.\u00a0 His mother shopped at Lord & Taylor for his clothing when he was a young child simply for the quality.\u00a0 His clothes lasted longer when made from better quality material, and it was that look that separated him from other boys.\u00a0 Dale felt he had to look his best at all times due to low self-esteem issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n After his passing, I wanted to find a meaningful way to honor his memory and I didn\u2019t want his beautiful collection of clothing to simply be sold without purpose. I didn\u2019t want to make any money because throughout our relationship, our finances after paying our bills were minimal; we couldn\u2019t even afford a honeymoon, and I wanted those items to continue bringing joy to others.\u00a0<\/p>\n HWM: Why is it so important to you to recognize, uplift, and celebrate men of color?<\/p>\n SWM: I believe men of color deserve to be celebrated for who they are, what they have accomplished, and the contributions they continue to make for themselves, their families, and their communities.<\/p>\n Too often, we hear about the challenges our men face, but we don\u2019t always take enough time to acknowledge their strength, resilience, and achievements. We\u2019re losing our Black men, and I wanted to have a day to let them know we see you and we celebrate you.<\/p>\n I want these gentlemen to walk into this event knowing that they are honored guests; this day is not about charity. The day is about giving from the heart, showing appreciation, and encouraging men to continue moving forward.\u00a0 Whether a man is established in his career, serving his community, rebuilding his life, or working toward a better tomorrow, he deserves encouragement and respect.<\/p>\n If one man leaves feeling more appreciated, or more motivated, then we\u2019ve accomplished something meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n HWM: What do you hope people will remember about this event, and what does it represent for the next chapter of your life?<\/p>\n SWM: I hope people remember how they felt. I want the men to remember that someone took the time to recognize them, celebrate them, and make them feel special.<\/p>\n This event has been a labor of love for several years. I waited patiently for The Hip Hop Museum to be completed; while they did offer their culture lab, I felt the space was too cozy for this type of engagement. In many ways, preparing for it has allowed me to remain connected to Dale and to be able to see, touch, and organize the things he loved.<\/p>\n As the event approaches, I recognize that it represents another chapter in my life and It\u2019s emotional because I\u2019m sharing something that was very much a part of our life together.<\/p>\n But I also understand that love and legacy don\u2019t end when we share the things that belonged to someone we loved. I\u2019ll keep items that memorialize him and bring me comfort in his memory, but the happiness is in giving the items away that can be useful to someone else.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want to have fine clothing items collecting dust or sitting in the closet.<\/p>\n I want this event to represent love, dignity, and the beauty of giving with intention. And personally, I hope it becomes a reminder that even after loss, we can continue to grow, create, and find new purpose.\u00a0 It would be a wonderful thing if others held celebrations to encourage men of color with meaningful events\u2014which include our elected officials and our Hip Hop Pioneers and educators.\u00a0<\/p>\n Communication, Connection, and the Power of Community<\/p>\n A significant part of Woods-McKinney\u2019s journey has been the way she communicates and builds lasting relationships with others. Her ability to connect through conversation, shared experiences, humor, music, and hip-hop culture has helped sustain her purpose and move this event forward.<\/p>\n One important relationship began when she met Anita Scipio at a comedy show. What started as a meeting grew into a meaningful friendship and source of support. Anita has become a major part of Woods-McKinney\u2019s support system, offering encouragement and helping her continue through the emotional and practical challenges of bringing this vision to life.<\/p>\n Woods-McKinney also met Kevin Meggett at a veterans event, where she spoke about her late husband and the difficulties she was experiencing while dealing with veterans\u2019 issues and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Kevin became an important part of this event and a trusted connection in her ongoing work to honor Dale\u2019s military service and support other veterans.<\/p>\n Her relationships with hip-hop pioneers have also endured because of consistent communication. Woods-McKinney has maintained long-standing connections with Tony Crush, Mr. Biggs, and graffiti artist James Top by rapping with them, checking in on them, and allowing them to check in on her. These relationships are not simply professional associations; they are bonds built over time through mutual respect, conversation, shared history, and genuine care.<\/p>\n Her relationship with The Hip Hop Museum<\/a> is equally meaningful. Woods-McKinney is a donor to the museum, having contributed to her husband\u2019s hip-hop artifacts, but she also wanted to maintain a continuing relationship with the institution. She understood that the museum\u2019s name would spark interest and excitement for others since her own name would not immediately create the same public recognition.\u00a0 The Hip Hop Museum<\/a> brings cultural significance and visibility to the event, and It is an honor for her to have the museum as one of her partners.<\/p>\n She is equally honored to work with Veterans Action Now, an organization that advocates passionately for veterans, their benefits, and their housing needs. Their commitment reflects the values at the heart of the event: service, dignity, advocacy, and community support.<\/p>\n Through communicating with all of these individuals and organizations, Woods-McKinney has found encouragement and strength. The process has taken time, but the relationships formed through talking, rapping, checking in, listening, and supporting one another have helped bring the event to its ending point.<\/p>\n For Woods-McKinney, these connections have become part of her family. They have helped keep her moving forward, even during difficult moments, and have shown her that purpose is strengthened when it is shared with others.<\/p>\n A Legacy Still Being Written:\u00a0<\/p>\n Stephanie plans on continuing to write for the Harlem World Magazine and New York Association of Black Journalist Pulse Magazine, while supporting community community-relatede effect her, her family, Black Men and Veterans.<\/p>\n
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