Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Khalid discovered a passion for poetry during a creative writing class in high school. Postgraduation, he sought to challenge his solitary nature via performance outlets such as acting and acoustic guitar. After a serendipitous meeting with a charismatic visual artist from the Ivory Coast, West Africa, Khalid began to reinvigorate his childhood love of drawing. With the blending of creative freedom and the process of improvisational painting becoming a perfect fit, Khalid has devoted himself to this style of painting and drawing since 2008.Jazz music and rhythm have also played a significant role in Khalid’s creative development. This has resulted in him being able to create spontaneous works of art alongside jazz musicians and DJ’s. To date, Khalid has had several exhibits in the DMV area, Louisiana and abroad, including the US Embassy in Rome, Italy. His work of Afro Abstraction and “Painting the Moment” Intuitive workshops have been in various spaces such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Rhizome DC, both in Washington, D.C.; as well as Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative, Art 180 Afterschool Virtual Programs and Art 180 Artist-in-Residence at Boushall Middle School in Richmond, Virginia. Khalid’s many accolades include being awarded the Top Artist Award by the Arts Branch of the African Union. He has also had several Commissions in Maryland, Washington and Virginia- including the City of Alexandria Virginia’s Office of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Activities. Khalid believes that “making art is making life” and engages with the community by providing monthly in-person and virtual Painting the Moment workshops.