Yolita Ray has spent decades shaping little minds in the pre-primary classroom at the Ancona School in Chicago. With warmth, patience, and deep purpose, she helps children build the emotional, social and academic foundations that will carry them through life. Her love for early childhood education shines as she shares what makes this age so magical—and why she wouldn’t want to teach any other group. If you've ever wondered what it's like to truly meet kids where they are, this one's for you. To learn more about Ancona, visit the school’s webpage: https://www.anconaschool.org/ and consider donating or coming by for a visit.  There is no other school like it in Chicago.  You can also follow along at @AnconaSchool on Instagram. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

In this Story Time episode, Keith shares how his passion for hip-hop and graffiti has taken him far off the tourist path—from São Paulo to Johannesburg to Cape Town. While chasing street art in places most visitors avoid, he’s found not only incredible murals but also made connections with the people he’s met while exploring. It’s a story about curiosity, culture, and the beauty that lives beyond the guidebook. Recorded live at Grown Folks Stories, a monthly storytelling event hosted by The Silver Room in Chicago—founded by our August guest, Eric Williams. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.  

In this episode, I catch up with Rico, aka BBoy Reksick, who I’ve known from the scene for many years.  He’s the owner of Calaveras Barber Shop and SMP in Chicago. After a random airport run-in recently, we sat down for a powerful conversation about how barbering is more than a craft for him—it's a calling. Rico talks about being a source of confidence and community for his clients, using his shop as a space to lift people up, one fresh cut at a time. His story is all about purpose, pride, and showing up for others. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

In this Story Time episode, Keith recalls a spontaneous weekend trip from Texas to Mexico City for some solo photography—and how ignoring his wife’s advice to “be careful” caught up with him almost immediately. What started as a carefree adventure quickly turned into a lesson on staying alert and street-smart while traveling. A little mischief, a lot of reflection, and one unforgettable experience. Recorded live at Grown Folks Stories, a monthly storytelling event hosted by The Silver Room in Chicago—founded by our August guest, Eric Williams. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Mayor Phil Jones returned to his hometown of Newport News as the city’s youngest mayor—and just days into the role, he faced a heartbreaking tragedy that drew national attention. Thrust into the spotlight, he relied on his values, humility, and lived experience to guide his leadership. In this episode, we talk about his path to becoming Mayor and how it’s going so far.  We explore what shaped his approach to service, and his bold vision for the future of Newport News. His story is a powerful mix of resilience, purpose, and hometown pride. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

In this Story Time episode, Keith shares about his first trip to Africa—a family adventure meant to experience life beyond the U.S. While visiting a lion park and getting ready to pet baby lions, things took an unexpected turn that showed just how different the world can be once you step outside your comfort zone. It’s a story that’s funny, eye-opening, and unforgettable. Recorded live at Grown Folks Stories, a monthly storytelling event hosted by The Silver Room in Chicago—founded by our August guest, Eric Williams.  This was actually from the GFS event in Boston Eric mentioned in his episode a few months ago! Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Greg Anderson went from studying architecture in college to becoming a powerhouse in the world of visual effects—and it’s been so fun to watch that evolution. In this episode, we dive into how he blends creativity and technical precision on an industrywide scale, and what keeps him inspired in such a demanding, ever-changing field. We also nerd out a bit when I learn he worked on one of my favorite movies! Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Before I split it into multiple accounts, my Instagram feed was a mix of all the different communities that I photograph.  As a member of those communities, I have met some amazing people and captured some awesome moments.  However, my passion for documenting subcultures created an IG feed that had the kind of range that made some people really uncomfortable (and wondering what was going on).  This is the story of how I enjoyed the journey curiosity led me down some fun paths. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Tenured professor, stress expert, and longtime friend Modupe Akinola joins the podcast for a deeply grounding conversation. With all her accomplishments, you might not expect "silent meditation" to be her home—but that’s exactly where she finds balance. We talk about stress, centeredness, and the power of stillness in a chaotic world (and why she worked with Thor). This episode will leave you thinking about how you recharge and what “home” really means.   Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

This month’s storytime is about a powerful pilgrimage trip to Charleston, South Carolina with our church, where we explored the deep African American history rooted in that city. The experience felt like the second half of a story — meaningful, emotional, and eye-opening — which made us realize we needed to take another trip to uncover the first part. I’m sharing why this journey mattered so much and how it shifted our understanding of history and heritage.   Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Eric Williams is the creative force behind The Silver Room and a driving presence behind some of Chicago’s most beloved cultural events. In this episode, we talk about how he got his start, what keeps him going, and why community is always at the heart of everything he builds. Whether it's a storefront, a block party, or a winery, Eric’s work brings people together in meaningful ways. His impact on the city is huge—and personal for me too.   Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Back in the day, when the gym was life and bad decisions felt like good ideas, I learned a lesson the hard way.  It's one I I should have passed down before my son caught the gym bug. In this story time episode, I shares a crazy (and slightly painful) memory from over 30 years ago that still packs a punch. It’s a tale of youthful confidence, heavy weights, and a reminder that experience is a teacher worth listening to. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

You don’t expect to see horses trotting through the streets of Chicago—but Murdock (the man with no first name), the founder of the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club, is changing that. With a whole lot of passion, Murdock shares how he got into riding, built a tight-knit Black cowboy community, and turned heads all over the city. We’ve known each other nearly 20 years, and it’s a joy to finally showcase his story and the beautiful energy he brings to my home city! You can see all of my Broken Arrow photos at http://BrokenArrow.KBevPhoto.com Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Ever been out-negotiated by your own kid? In this Father's Day-inspired solo episode, Keith shares a hilarious and heartwarming story from over a decade ago, when his oldest son used corporate-style tactics to plead for a new video game. What started as a funny parenting moment turned out to be a glimpse of a budding skillset that’s now shaping his son's career. If you're a parent, you'll definitely relate—and laugh! Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to. If you want to see the video, check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/GrandTheftDecision

This week, I’m talking with Rahamaan Statik—an artist whose work I’ve admired long before we ever met. Though we've only crossed paths in person a couple times, he welcomed me into his world to talk about a home that's anything but traditional: the Wall. From classical fine art training to projects that cover massive graffiti walls, Statik's story bridges street and studio in a way that’s uniquely powerful. What does it mean to call a wall home? You’ll want to hear this one. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

This week’s mini-episode is a story I told a while back about being a Black college student in Boston—a city that, at the time, had a reputation. And yeah... my first experiences definitely lived up to it. But then something unexpected happened, and taught me a lesson. This one’s about assumptions, surprises, and learning not to jump to conclusions. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

This week’s guest is the incomparable Lily Be—storyteller, teacher, host, and all-around powerhouse. I’ve known Lily for years, and every time I see her on the mic, I’m blown away by how she commands a room. The best part? You never know what kind of story she’s going to tell. In this episode, we dig into what keeps her coming back to the stage and why storytelling means so much to her. Lily can be found at https://www.stoopstylestories.com/ and through search of “Lily Be” on YouTube.  We also mention the Risk podcast in this episode Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

In this mini episode, I'm taking you to my second home—on the mic at Grown Folks Stories—where I share what should've been a dreamy first trip to Hawaii. Spoiler: things did not go as planned. Enjoy an unforgettable (and very real) travel tale that starts in paradise but takes a wild detour. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.

Aaron is a poet, founder, investor, and artist—someone who moves effortlessly between the worlds of creativity and entrepreneurship. From the poetry slam stage to the startup pitch room, he shows how storytelling and presence can be powerful tools in any arena. We talk about unexpected overlaps between art and business, and how the skills you build in one space can prepare you for totally different challenges. Aaron’s one of those friends who inspires by simply being himself, always bringing energy and intention to every room he enters. Please visit www.MyHomeIsSpecial.com for the full project and follow @KBevPhoto on Instagram to see what I'm up to.  

After looking at the content I want to share in the weeks ahead, I decided to make a change to the publication schedule for the pod.  I also have some content that I want to share about *my* home.  In this episode, I'll update you on the plan and share the first of (hopefully) many stories to come. If you have feedback on this new approach, please hit me up at keith@kbevphoto.com or DM me @KBevPhoto on IG. Enjoy!