Most Incredible Studio is bringing Black girl magic to the LEGO® world in the most creative way possible. The New York-based creative studio, known for transforming memories held dear into tangible cultural collectibles, just announced Dr. Yaba Blay as its very first Artist in Residence, officially titled “Professional Black Girl-in-Residence.”
Dr. Blay, a scholar, cultural worker, and the visionary behind the brand “Professional Black Girl,” has built a career celebrating the everyday brilliance and lived experiences of Black women and girls. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, ESSENCE, and O Magazine, and her first book, One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, continues to shape global conversations about identity and representation. Followers of Dr. Blay are also eagerly anticipating her upcoming book, “to become beautiful.”
This new residency marks the start of Most Incredible Studio’s mission to collaborate with cultural leaders who translate community, legacy, and storytelling into physical form through its signature collectible LEGO® brick creations. Together, Dr. Blay and the studio’s founder, Syreeta Gates, are fusing art, culture, and nostalgia to honor Black womanhood in a whole new way.
“When Syreeta mentioned to me that she wanted to infuse Black girl culture into Most Incredible Studio’s canon, I told her there was no way I would allow her to do that without ME! She laughed, but I was serious. The idea of merging what she does with what we do and how we do it is beyond exciting — it’s necessary,” said Dr. Blay.
Gates shared her excitement about the partnership, adding, “Yaba’s brilliance is unmatched — she has spent her life committed to centering and celebrating Black women in all of our power, joy, and everyday genius. She’s also a very dear friend, which makes this moment even more special. At Most Incredible Studio, our mission is to make memory tangible, and I’m elated that together we get to bring elements from our culture into form in a way that people can play with, build, and remember.”
Fans can expect a limited-edition collectible designed in collaboration with Dr. Blay, complete with MIS’s signature premium packaging, a custom booklet, and special keepsake elements. The residency will also include community conversations, digital activations, and behind-the-scenes content showcasing the creative process between Blay and Gates.
As the first of many collaborations, the MIS Residency program will continue spotlighting cultural innovators who use storytelling to preserve and celebrate the richness of Black culture, one collectible LEGO® creation at a time.
To learn more about Most Incredible Studio Professional Black Girl-in-Residence, click HERE.
Cover photo: Where Culture Meets LEGO: Most Incredible Studio Welcomes Dr. Yaba Blay as Professional Black Girl-in-Residence /Photo credit: Most Incredible Studio/Professional Black Girl