06/05/2025
Ink in the Shadows: The Call for Equality in the Tattoo Industry
By: Slim, owner of Trappin Ink Tattoo Shop creator of Trappin Ink Mag
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The Missing Presence
In the heart of America’s biggest tattoo conventions, something is missing.
It’s not the energy. Not the talent. Not the creativity.
It’s visibility. Representation. Recognition.
As a Black artist in the tattoo industry, I’ve shown up to major conventions—walked those floors, brought my team, and competed shoulder to shoulder with greats. But I’ve also seen what’s overlooked. At these shows, dark skin shows up. We’re in the building. But when it comes to being on the table or being judged, we become invisible.
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The Reality on the Convention Floor
This past weekend, I tattooed my cousin—a dark-skinned man—with a clean, professional piece that deserved a real look. The judges? They walked past without even glancing. I stood there watching them lean into the skin of white and light-skinned clients, studying every detail, every line, every highlight. But when it came to my cousin, they didn’t even pause.
It’s not new. It’s not random. It’s patterned.
We have to ask ourselves: Is it lack of experience with darker skin? Is it discomfort? Is it bias? Or is it flat-out exclusion?
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Not About Hate, But About Habits
This isn’t an attack on anyone. Some of the most supportive, knowledgeable tattoo artists I know are white, Latino, and from all walks of life. Artists like Charles Chapman, Billy Jack, Will Bam Haley, Ruben, Raybeth and others have mentored me, inspired me, and helped guide my hustle. But even among those ranks, some have whispered hard truths to me—truths they’ve seen firsthand after 20+ years in the industry. Some say it plainly: there’s a racial bias in these competitions, whether intentional or not.
It’s not always hate. Sometimes it’s habit. But habits, when unchecked, turn into walls.
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Why Black Artists Stay Away
When I talk to Black artists—young and old—they often say the same thing:
“I don’t go to those shows.”
“I don’t feel like I belong there.”
“I know I’m not gonna win.”
“It’s not for us.”
And I tell them: How do you know if you never try?
I showed up. I competed. And guess what? I won third place. That trophy might not be gold, but it’s proof that we do belong. Third place is better than no place—and it’s a beginning.
But it also confirmed that if you’re not loud, if you’re not light-skinned, if you’re not familiar, they often don’t even look your way.
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The Burden of Proof
Black artists often carry more than just their machines and ink—they carry the weight of having to prove themselves ten times over. We fight to be seen, then fight again to be respected. And when we start to rise, some of the very people who helped us suddenly feel threatened. I’ve experienced that too—jealousy disguised as mentorship, support that turned to sabotage.
I’ve had people flip on me, try to tear me down in my own shop, throw racial slurs, and test my peace. All because I’m rising.
But I’m still standing. Still tatted up. Still tatted down. Still tatted in.
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Where Trappin’ Ink Steps In
That’s why Trappin’ Ink exists.
We’re not just a tattoo shop—we’re a movement. A platform. A vision.
We build stages for those who never got invited to the big ones.
We create shows that highlight dark skin, celebrate Black artistry, and welcome everyone to the table—regardless of tone, style, or background.
We judge healed work. Fresh work. We judge detail, not skin tone. We give real prizes, real respect, and real recognition.
We’re not waiting on change. We’re making it.
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Calling Out the Industry
To the industry gatekeepers, show promoters, and magazine editors:
Start including us. Start honoring us. Stop pretending we’re not here.
Flip through your pages—how many dark-skinned canvases do you see?
Look at your stages—how many Black artists are receiving those top awards?
You want the culture? Then stop excluding the creators of it.
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To Every Black Tattoo Artist Reading This
Don’t quit. Don’t sit out. Don’t stay silent.
Show up. Get better. Compete. Network. Get judged. Get overlooked—and still keep going.
Because one day, they won’t be able to ignore you.
One day, your work will speak louder than their silence.
And if they still try to shut you out, then link up with us. We got a seat for you at Trappin’ Ink.
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Ink is for Everyone
Ink was never meant to divide. It was made to express, to tell stories, to mark legacies.
The only way we bring real change is by showing up, standing strong, and supporting each other. From the booth to the magazine page, to the competition stage—we’re here.
And we’re not going anywhere.
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Trappin Ink MAG
Presented by Trappin’ Ink
Written by Slim
For the ones who never get seen. We see you.
