Urbanheights.com, developed and brought to life in December 2005, was the vision of software developer Kairi Henry. With the help of many volunteers using their skills as writers, designers and photographers this project hopes to become the cornerstone for a multicultural on-line community.
Our vision is to promote the various cultures found in cities across America and around the world. So often the images of the urban community are inundated with those of ignorance, poverty and greed. We at Urbanheights.com instead choose to focus on stories of substance. This portal will expose that you can appreciate hip-hop music and also be interested in fine art; that being interested in politics doesn’t taint your vision for “tight” graffiti. Our audience is a young, multicultural group that desires stories appealing to their interests, while potentially improving their quality of life. Before long we hope to become the best on-line lifestyle and news platform for the working class and owners of small businesses in urban America.
Kairi W. Henry, Editor-in-Chief
Kairi Henry was born in Brooklyn, NY with a passion for technology and its ability to make things in our life more efficient. Kai has spent 7 years working at Fitch Ratings Inc, and enjoys his currently position as System Architect. He obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science at Hampton University and is presently enrolled at Columbia University for his MS in Executive Masters of Technology. Throughout his career in the government, media and finance sectors; Kai has been building, designing and managing web and desktop applications to go beyond just meeting the expected goals.
Whitney D.W. Smith, Managing Editor
Named managing editor, Whitney has worked closely with the Urban Heights Magazine crew to redirect the magazine, recreating an image and encouraging an urban, edgy and real perspective on issues affecting society today. Completing his BA and MA in sociology at Dartmouth College, Whitney is driven by his continued social analysis and inquiry. Always questioning and analyzing the status quo, he has and continues to guide Urban Heights into a new period.
Further, Whitney is the Founder of Sustainable Strength*, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization focused on economic and infrastructural development in urban communities. His vision is highly influenced by his experience managing this organization. His efforts to make change
have culminated in Urban Heights, the non-profit and other projects.
Duwayno Robertson, Photography Director
Duwayno Robertson hates writing in third person. I am the photography editor for Urban Heights. I graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Hampton University. In 2000, I began working for General Motors specializing in hybrid electric buses. While on a top secret, ultra important assignment in Southern California, the most evil woman I have ever dated gave me the best gift I have ever received, a Canon SLR. Not knowing what half of the functions were, I took a photography
class at The Irvine Fine Arts Center and fell completely in love with photography. Eventually I began volunteering there and bugging the pros who wandered through about the secrets of photography. The only consistent advice I got was to keep a camera with you at all times possible and to keep shooting. I have lived by that advice ever since.
It has been an awesome road of photographing breakdancers, belly dancers, hip hop artist, rock stars, hillbillies, hoods, couples in love, Australian business causal street fights, models who should be super, family, friends, black Madonnas, black Betties, war protest, warriors, nude women, a naked dude, one intimidating whale, and tons of other interesting things between here and Harajuku. My three greatest accomplishments thus far, as a photographer, have been my work with Afro-punk, my first national campaign (L’Oreal’s SoftSheen-Carson), and my volunteer work for Flashes of Hope. I hope to make my work with Urban Heights my fourth greatest. I want to bring my experiences and passions to Urban Heights and provide an interesting and fresh look into this wonderful, challenging world we live in by insuring the photography we showcase is reflective of those wonders and challenges.
Kerry D. Flagg, Executive Editor
Kerry Flagg is a journalism professional based in the Washington, DC area. During his 11 year career Kerry has worked both as a writer and behind the scenes for various departments at The Washington Post, including Metro, Style, Weekend, Business and Editorial. He also worked for a short time as a production assistant intern at ESPN, Inc. in Bristol, CT. There he worked up close and personal with the talent and producers for shows such as SportsCenter, NFL Live, Baseball 2 Night and ESPN News. For the past six-plus years Kerry has worked as an editorial assistant/writer for the Post’s sports department, where he is responsible for researching and assisting writers and columnists on deadline. He also serves as an “extra set of eyes” in regards to occasional editing of content and is the first person readers contact with questions/complaints as well as those attempting to get story ideas published.
While in college at Hampton University Kerry was a member of the 1994 Black College national champion football team. In his spare time Kerry likes to exercise, plays competitive flag football and basketball and immerses himself in the “real” news away from the sports world.
