Derek Fordjour

We don't tell a different story. We've added deluxe zippers. There's Wi-Fi in the bag. Nothing. When you bought it at three, it's the exact same bag. And so that's what's baffling to people that... We don't even hide the fact that it's the same bag at $3 that it was at $3 million. You have so many people here in New York City who will tell you, oh, I paid $200 for my Warhol. Or, you know.

We don't tell a different story. We've added deluxe zippers. There's Wi-Fi in the bag. Nothing. When you bought it at three, it's the exact same bag. And so that's what's baffling to people that... We don't even hide the fact that it's the same bag at $3 that it was at $3 million. You have so many people here in New York City who will tell you, oh, I paid $200 for my Warhol. Or, you know.

Or Basquiat. Where were we? Oh, you think you would have been able to, you think they would have sold it to you? I mean, there's not the points. Dude, you just talked about the suit.

Or Basquiat. Where were we? Oh, you think you would have been able to, you think they would have sold it to you? I mean, there's not the points. Dude, you just talked about the suit.

You talked about access. I'm saying, like, we cannot. I mean, because access and value, all this stuff is related. So the question then becomes, who gets to pay that $3? Yeah, you're right. Who gets to pay the $3? Who has that intel?

You talked about access. I'm saying, like, we cannot. I mean, because access and value, all this stuff is related. So the question then becomes, who gets to pay that $3? Yeah, you're right. Who gets to pay the $3? Who has that intel?

That's what the Black artist represents and what's very complex about us entering the space because you can't have Black artists in the space without complicating the space for Black institutions, for Black collectors, for trustees. The entire ecosystem is affected when Black artists participate.

That's what the Black artist represents and what's very complex about us entering the space because you can't have Black artists in the space without complicating the space for Black institutions, for Black collectors, for trustees. The entire ecosystem is affected when Black artists participate.

I'd like to also point to the entertainment industry when we had Black comedians, actors, but you didn't have... Black ownership. You didn't have agents. You didn't have... It took a while to get the infrastructure. So we are now advocating for us to participate more globally in the business, right? And I think that that's part of why they kept us out for so long.

I'd like to also point to the entertainment industry when we had Black comedians, actors, but you didn't have... Black ownership. You didn't have agents. You didn't have... It took a while to get the infrastructure. So we are now advocating for us to participate more globally in the business, right? And I think that that's part of why they kept us out for so long.

You want to own the team. There you go. So it's like... The question is not me because we're kind of front men, you too. Nobody sees the entire operation behind you. We see you, right? But part of being successful is understanding the apparatus and getting good at that. And we've been in long enough where that's starting to happen.

You want to own the team. There you go. So it's like... The question is not me because we're kind of front men, you too. Nobody sees the entire operation behind you. We see you, right? But part of being successful is understanding the apparatus and getting good at that. And we've been in long enough where that's starting to happen.

And that's, to me, even more exciting than the mere presence of black artists.

And that's, to me, even more exciting than the mere presence of black artists.

I'm trying to remember that we're here because you know I want to ask you the same thing. I won't do that. You can. This is how we talk. So there was a time where you were probably paid $20 for getting on stage.

I'm trying to remember that we're here because you know I want to ask you the same thing. I won't do that. You can. This is how we talk. So there was a time where you were probably paid $20 for getting on stage.

Bro, I literally come across emails sometimes where I was begging people to buy my work. Like... Hello, Trevor. Hope all is well with comedy in your world. I saw your special. It was great. Listen, hey, man, I got these new works. I was doing that, like begging people to buy the work. That was so long for me that I don't believe the $3 million number. Wow. Right? I know it's made up.

Bro, I literally come across emails sometimes where I was begging people to buy my work. Like... Hello, Trevor. Hope all is well with comedy in your world. I saw your special. It was great. Listen, hey, man, I got these new works. I was doing that, like begging people to buy the work. That was so long for me that I don't believe the $3 million number. Wow. Right? I know it's made up.

That's not to say that there's no value connected to it.

That's not to say that there's no value connected to it.