“The name ‘Gravity’ harkens to the innate, energetic force within Black people, our culture and collective voice,” described Julian Crosby, Bolles alum and founder of the University of Miami-based Gravity magazine.

With a focus on uplifting Black artists and elevating Black content and subject matter, Crosby emphasizes goals of not only educating his local community but providing a safe haven for creators to express themselves within the University of Miami community.

Crosby graduated from Bolles in 2019 and stated that although he “really wanted to go to California,” the moment he stepped on campus in Miami he “fell in love with the city and the rest is history.”

With a major in screenwriting and a concentration in comedy television writing, Crosby hopes to write and act in his own television comedy series. Current underclassmen remember his humor and talent when he played Troy in 2017’s High School Musical.

Today, however, he is the Editor-in-Chief of Gravity. The recently-launched magazine maintains a base of over 800 followers on their Instagram and has garnered 1700 views on all of their multimedia work posted to their website. In the last 30 days, the site has received interaction spanning from the United Kingdom to Czech Republic, to Slovakia and even Nicaragua and India.

“And we’re truly just getting started!” Crosby exclaimed.

As a young Black man at Bolles, Crosby felt a lack of understanding from peers and few connections to his culture and identity. However, he describes college as “eye opening” due to having his first prolonged interactions with individuals throughout the Black Diaspora with roots ranging from Ghana to Nigeria to Jamaica.

Crosby shared his motivation for starting Gravity. “It was upon meeting these people and forming friendships that I wanted to create an entity for our stories & culture.”

Crosby launched Gravity magazine in August of 2020. Crosby explained that through Gravity he hoped to infiltrate a mainstream media base that seems to profit from the glorification of Black trauma and pain and instead reinforce more positive images. The effect of Gravity on campus has been prevalent in motivating students of color into direct action.

Crosby stated, “It’s rewarding to see the plurality of multicultural arts clubs forming on campus. About time we took the whole table instead of just enjoying our single seat.”

While the focus is the BIPOC community, the magazine is open to people of all backgrounds and ethnicities because “at the core of our mission, we believe all people are impacted positively in some way by Black culture — whether through fashion or art.”

While Crosby studies abroad in Europe, sophomore Nevaeh Williams temporarily acts as Editor-in-Chief. However, Crosby’s commitment to Gravity is evident as he states he intends to complete projects for the magazine during his time away. In addition, upon graduation he hopes to remain heavily involved as an online contributor and, ultimately, a financial sponsor.

Crosby hopes Gravity continues after his tenure. “I would love to see what the vision becomes in someone else’s hands. There’s some aspects of my creative vision that are limited so I always welcome and appreciate fresh ideas and taste.”

With college graduation approaching, leadership change feels inevitable, but Crosby knows the mission will remain.

Crosby said, “The name is a reminder that nothing can hold us down. We are Gravity.”