Narnice Riley

In October, 2024, at age 76, Narnice Riley accepted the challenge of incorporating illumination into the suits of Black Masking Indians for a nighttime festival of art in light. A gifted modiste – a creator of highly fashionable attire – Narnice pushed herself beyond her everyday problem-solving. For this project, she needed to develop new skills, resulting in an expanded artistic practice.

“I love a good challenge,” she says. “I love when it comes out right. And you can see it all in their smiles.”

Over her lifetime, Narnice has accepted countless challenges and brought even more smiles. She’s known to create full garments from sketches, pictures, ideas told to her. She doesn’t use patterns; she uses experience to bring visions to life.

She has sewn people of all walks of life. For people who can’t afford custom designs. For people with disabilities, needing adaptive clothing. For people who simply can’t find their size. Narnice has been known to sew through the night to save the day for people whose other-sourced attire wasn’t arriving on time or wasn’t what they hoped. She treats each project with a drive to make it the best she can for the person wearing it, giving them the comfort of confidence – because that day or that event is only happening once.  

Narnice Riley’s art is not just about what she creates, but about the difference her creations make in people’s lives. Her work makes special moments even more special. To put it simply: Narnice Riley makes dreams come true. 

 “It’s a privilege to be able to use my skills to bring joy and comfort to others,” she says.

Bringing joy, comfort and confidence to others through talent honed over a lifetime of experience – that’s what makes Narnice Riley a Peoples Health Champion.

*Scrapbook photos in the video, courtesy of Aretha Etienne; Dr. K. Adele Okoli; Aaye Creates LLC, Tracey Elizabeth Music; and Ausettua AmorAmenkum.