Hadiya Williams of Black Pepper Paperie Co. holds her ancestry close, names a life-changing Broadway poster, and a shares one of the first pieces of art she bought in this week's Friday Five.

Hadiya Williams spent 20 years in the world of graphic design before discovering a full-force passion for clay. What began as an innocent hobby in 2017 turned into a full-time job when design studio Black Pepper Paperie Co. was established, with Williams as the founder and creative director. Based in Washington, DC, she now spends her days creating decorative art referred to as terrestrial and generative, ceramic objects, and surface designs.
Hadiya Williams \ Photo: Kirth Bobb
It’s easy to see how Williams’ previous career and her current one are related through the graphic patterns and abstract creations that she favors. But her inspiration also comes from somewhere deeper: the connections between West African art, textiles, and the design styles of the mid-20th century Black Arts Movement and the early 20th century Harlem Renaissance. The resulting artistic creations represent cultural influences from across the Black Diaspora, connecting the distant past to today’s present and the future that’s to come. As Williams unites art, design, traditions, and stories through patterns and techniques, her gift is made clear to anyone paying attention. Williams has had the opportunity to collaborate with various brands, including F. Schumacher Co., Target, Lulu...