Valdean Haywood

What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo was inspired by a personal journey of healing and growth. It represents how I turned pain into purpose and reclaimed my story. Every line and detail reminds me that I’ve survived things meant to break me, and now I wear that strength proudly. It’s more than ink it’s a reminder that I’m still standing, still evolving, and still creating meaning from the darkest parts of my past.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would say, “I’ve been through fire and came out marked, not broken.” It would whisper the stories I sometimes can’t say out loud the pain I’ve survived, the love I’ve lost, and the power I’ve gained. It would speak for the parts of me that needed a voice, that needed to be seen. My ink is my armor, my truth, and my reminder; no matter what, I keep going.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I’d invest in launching my clothing brand—where streetwear meets storytelling. I’d use the funds for product development, branding, and marketing to bring bold, art-driven designs to life. My goal is to create more than clothes—it’s about building a movement rooted in self-expression, resilience, and individuality. This investment would turn a vision into a wearable legacy.