Kai Ravi created a safe space for black boy Joey

[minesh parikh]

This profile is part of the Culture Shifters series, which highlights people who are changing the way we see the world around us. Read about archival film Maya Kidd, internet star Keon Elkins, rapper Lacha, music historian Katilina Eccleston and director Alika Tangan.

It's around 8pm in London, although you wouldn't tell on a February evening by looking at artist Kai Ruffay. He kicked off the Zoom call with such a surge of positive energy — wearing a lime green shirt with matching hat, gold necklace and megawatt smile — you'd assume it's closer to midday where he is.

"It was a good day," he says, settling into a soundproof, self-made alcove in his apartment. "It's been a busy day, but a good day."