Our Cover: Alexa and Edreys Wajed

By Annette Pinder

Alexa and Edreys Wajed are two of the most inspirational people I have ever met. Having attended events at which they were present working side by side, and smiling through their honest joyful conversations on social media, I couldn’t resist featuring them in a story and on our cover. Looking forward to the opportunity, they never anticipated that a young White man would travel three hours to deliberately shoot and kill as many Black people as he could while they shopped at Buffalo’s Jefferson Avenue Tops Market on a beautiful warm afternoon.

As Alexa and Edreys reflected on this horrific event, they wondered how they could possibly appear on a magazine cover smiling, when all they felt was anguish, fear, and devastation. I wasn’t surprised when they asked about modifying their article.

“This particular scale of hatred on the public, national, and global stage, so close to home, caused us to consider declining the magazine feature,” said Edreys, explaining that given the situation, and the fact that Buffalo is ranked among the most segregated cities in America, the vulnerably of having their Blackness on full display at this time was counter to the need to protect themselves and their family. After thinking it through, they decided that if they would be on the cover, they wanted readers to gain a deeper understanding of what Black people face every day.

“As a married couple, parenting two Black boys, we are prayerful in showing them how to navigate this world safely, where they aren’t granted the same liberties, freedoms, or second chances as their White peers,” says Edreys. Alexa shares, “It’s worrisome, wondering whether we’ll get to see, touch, and hold our children, and one another at day’s end. Our perpetual check-ins sound something like, ‘Honey, I’m at the supermarket, talk to you later,’ or ‘Honey, I’m leaving the supermarket and heading home.’ Our experiences in predominantly White spaces are often stares, murmurs, and uninviting body language. While dining, we have faith and hope that the food we order is prepared and delivered with kindness and integrity, as we have learned that racism is not excluded from the kitchen.”

The couple first met at City Honors and became best friends, but didn’t start dating until after graduating from college. Alexa grew up in North Buffalo with plans to become an actuary before changing to hospitality management. Edreys grew up on Buffalo’s East Side, loved art for as long as he can remember, and was determined to become an entrepreneur. “Many years ago, I completed my undergrad degree, only at the insistence of my mom, despite my disinterest in attending college. Had I not earned my bachelor’s degree, I wouldn’t now be graduating with a Master’s in Fine Art from The State University of New York at Buffalo,” says Edreys.
Edreys and Alexa are proud of “Eat Off Art,” the small family-owned business they created after reflecting on the commonly accepted phrase “starving artists.” They thought, “What if we could live and thrive from our creativity and talent by becoming successful, sustainable, profitable married artists, with creative children in tow?” And creative children they are. Their oldest son is 20, in his senior year of college majoring in business management, minoring in marketing and social media, and working as a barber and a real estate agent. Their youngest son, graduating from high school this year and known for his talent in designing custom sneakers for NFL sports teams, looks forward to studying visual arts in college. 

While Edreys is on ladders painting and earning commissions, Alexa creates leather earrings, portraits, abstract art, and works as a project manager and food policy consultant for various organizations, including the Genesee Valley Black Farmers Marketing Coop. An amazing chef, she also instructs on creating healthier versions of traditional recipes.

There is much more that Alexa and Edreys can share about life, parenting, relationships, and entrepreneurship. As the couple continues to process their thoughts following the horrendous act of violence and hatred in our community, they hope to encourage us all to engage in conversations and action that promote positive change. 

Visit www.EatOffArt.com where you can shop and view their art, or contact them for creative services including, illustration, branding, graphic design, and logo development; project management; licensed cooking demonstrations, culinary classes, and consulting; jewelry design and manufacturing; and more. Follow them on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram, and check out Edreys’ exhibit taking place now through July 31 at Burchfield Penney Art Center.