THE DICHOTOMY OF...
"When you work with me—when you work with us, you’re not just hiring a creative or a creative team; you’re collaborating with someone who sees potential where others see uncertainty, who values authenticity over trends, and who believes in the power of visual storytelling to uplift and empower. My mission is to leave a legacy through work that not only reflects who I am but also inspires Black and Brown communities to become more than what society has defined for them."
The Dichotomy of William B. Philpot and Liam Ian Black: A Journey of Identity, Creativity, and Legacy
In the world of art, design, photography, and entrepreneurship, few creators embody the complexities of identity and ambition as profoundly as William B. Philpot and Liam Ian Black. Together, these two personas represent not only duality but the intricate dance between past and future, survival and freedom, order and chaos—a story that is still unfolding.
The Weight of a Name: William B. Philpot IV
At first glance, William B. Philpot appears to be a man carrying a legacy, as the fourth to bear his name. Yet, at the age of 18, William uncovered a profound truth: he wasn’t related to the man for whom he was named. This revelation left him questioning his identity, grappling with feelings of being a fraud, and confronting the reality that half of who he is—his father’s identity—remains lost in mystery.
“Even as my name isn’t truly mine, I exist as a question—a man who knows only half of himself, with the other half residing in the darkness of the unknown.”
For much of his life, William felt controlled, diminished, and muted. His creative spark was stifled by responsibilities thrust upon him too early, forcing him to grow up fast and shoulder burdens that weren’t his to carry. Today, William’s identity exists firmly within the practical spaces of employment and responsibility—recognized by colleagues, family, and his past self.
But William is also a father—a role that demands stability, structure, and consistency. He balances the weight of expectations with his desire to move forward, knowing that he cannot easily escape the identity tied to his name. He juggles full-time employment, entrepreneurship, and parenthood, all while trying to nurture his creativity in a life that often feels defined by limitations.
“William carries the questions, the burdens, the history. He is survival.”
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The Man of His Own Making: Liam Ian Black
Where William is survival, Liam Ian Black is freedom. Liam represents the artist, the creative, the philosopher, and the storyteller William aspired to be all along. He is the man of William’s own making—resilient, bold, and evolving. Free from the weight of history, Liam creates without hesitation, manifesting visions in art, design, photography, and business.
“Liam is not just the opposite of William; he is the response to everything William endured.”
Liam embraces the contradictions within himself: wild yet wise, quiet yet bold, mysterious yet passionate. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that within the darkness—within the Black—reside all possibilities. Just as stars emerge from the depths of space, creativity arises from chaos. Liam draws inspiration from this concept, knowing that the unknown isn’t something to fear but to explore.
“Within the Black, all things—good and bad, physical and non-physical—exist. Every color, atom, and galaxy resides within that space. From the unknown comes creation.”
Liam’s creative ambition is deeply tied to innovation. As a Black man in America, he understands that survival alone isn’t enough—there’s a need to adapt and shape the future intentionally. His work challenges the narratives imposed by media and capitalism, encouraging Black and Brown communities to rise beyond distorted identities and embrace intelligence, strength, and authenticity.
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Navigating the Tension: Creativity Meets Entrepreneurship
Balancing the dual identities of William and Liam is no small task. As an artist, Liam thrives in the chaos, finding freedom to create when there is just enough disorder to spark new ideas. But as an entrepreneur, William knows the importance of order and structure.
The challenge lies in moving between these two worlds—creating freely while managing the business of creation. Marketing and branding require both sides to blend, with creativity supporting entrepreneurship and strategy fueling artistic expression. It’s a dynamic but difficult balance that can feel both energizing and debilitating.
“When the two align, it feels like flow—a sense of relief and motivation to do more. But when they clash, the weight of it all can cause hesitation and confusion.”
Despite these challenges, both identities are necessary. William provides the foundation and stability that allows Liam to dream, while Liam brings the boldness and creativity needed to transcend survival and build something meaningful.
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A Legacy in the Making
For William and Liam, success isn’t just personal achievement—it’s legacy. It’s about building a business that generates wealth while uplifting communities of color and inspiring future generations to move beyond societal expectations.
“I want to inspire Black and Brown people to become more than what society and social media have defined for them today. I was informed by the ideals of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Beginning with media like the Cosby Show—the Huxtables weren’t perfect, but they were intelligent, real, caring, and strong. A Different World where the challenges of being Black and Brown within the journey of growth and the pursuit of higher education and meaning meant something. That’s what I want my work to reflect: a future where people of color embody these qualities, not just in theory but in reality.”
Ultimately, William and Liam are not separate but intertwined, working together toward a future built on both survival and creation. Every photograph, every piece of art, and every business venture is a step toward that future—a future where identity isn’t dictated by history or society but is created intentionally, one day at a time.
“Even if I’ll never know the whole truth of who I was meant to be, I can create who I am meant to become.”
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The Dichotomy of... Me (A Personal Message.)
This is the journey of William B. Philpot and Liam Ian Black: a journey of becoming, of navigating complexity, and of building a legacy. Through creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience, they are crafting a future that transcends past limitations and redefines what’s possible for themselves and for their communities.
This is not just the story of two identities—it’s the story of one man, creating himself. While he strives to do and be good for some, he knows and acknowledges that he may not be good for many and is okay with that. He is not perfect within all of his imperfections…and more. We encourage you to do and be the same.
Assisted by Chat GPT, we thank you for reading and reviewing this article that helps us close out the 2024 Theme of “The Dichotomy of…”. We’re ending the year with a clearer and better understanding of who and what Liam Ian Black is and who and what then LIAM IAN LLC™ is all about. As a collaborative team, I’ve come to understand that building trust is fundamental to most of all that we do. Trust thru Authenticity, Integrity and Honesty. While we do business in the various capacities that we do, we understand the nuances involved in dealing with the different paradigms, perspectives, expectations and mindsets of various people. Moving forward into 2025 means to move beyond the confines of one man—the Creator and Founder—to those that will truly move the name on.
It is truly thru creativity that I’ve found myself. It’s also thru entrepreneurship that I’ve come to push and expand myself beyond what I’ve known, how I’ve grown and what I’ve found. While this journey is ongoing, I hope to tap into those select and special individuals that have similar situations and circumstances that have led—or have yet to lead—them to self-discovery. It’s a profound journey to create and an even more substantial and meaningful one to find oneself within it.
Like our audiences, we keep our circles small. We’re not desperate to engage, work or collaborate with just anyone as we see the necessity to be selective. We strive to channel our efforts, interests, agendas, intentions, resources and energies strategically and effectively to gain the most accurate to authentic results possible. As I’ve gotten older and have gained wealth and a wealth of experiences, I want to further push the boundaries and limits to encourage and impact others. To do what we want, we must continue refine who our audiences are equally with who we want to collaborate with. This is who I am. That is who we are!
I am Liam Ian Black and we are LIAM IAN LLC™.
THE DICHOTOMY OF...
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