Zabdiel Alejandro

F. A. Q's.
Who, What, & Where?
Who?
Zabi's (Zaah-Bee; it's like saying Bobby with a Z [they/them]) identity is rooted in nonbinary queerness but was shaped by their traumatic upbringing in an Bostonian Afro-Caribbean household.
Their artistic journey began when they discovered the transformative power of DIY culture within the Punk scene, igniting a passion that would guide their creative endeavors. It lead Zabi to study textiles at Rhode Island School of Design for a summer. However, life took a tumultuous turn that winter, leading them into the shadows of addiction and homelessness.
Consequently, Zabi became a ward of the state of Rhode Island. They navigated through various New England institutions, ultimately emerging as a young adult facing life's challenges on the streets. Amid this chaos, Zabi sought solace in companionship provided through sex work and eventually yoga. Leaving the former and focusing on yoga allowed them to travel while also pursuing higher education intermittently.
Zabi's path constantly evolved but embracing yoga as a cornerstone of their healing journey, they had a foundation. Relocating to the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana they experienced the joys and trials of marriage, only to find themself exploring the complexities of divorce. This brought Zabi back to Providence, Rhode Island, where they delved into art, landscaping, and discovered a newfound passion for healthcare.
Who?
(am I?)
(A F**K*N' HOMO[sapien]!)
......... but we know what y' all mean, so here is Zabi's mix'd genetic makeup provided by 23andme.
AFRICAN: 24.3%
9.0 Congolese & Southern East African
6.1 Senegambia & Guinean
2.6 Cameroon
2.2 Nigerian
1.7 Ghanain, Liberian, & Sierra Leonan
1.1 Levantine
1.1 Egyptian
0.5 Broadly Sub-Saharan African
AMERICAN: 12.9%
12.9 Indigenous Caribbean (Taíno)
ASIAN: 0.2%
0.2 Northern West Asian
EUROPEAN: 61.7%
61.2 Canary Islands (Amazigh)
0.5 Ashkenazi Jew
UNASSIGNED: 0.9%
0.9 unassigned
(I DID/DO)
Within The Last 5 years
2025
Still Hot Yoga
Decatur, GA
Yoga Teacher
2025
Emory University Hospital
Medical Intensive Care Unit
Atlanta, GA
Patient Care Technician
2025
West Barnstable, MA
Yoga Teacher
2024 - 2025
Providence, RI
Yoga Teacher
2023 - 2024
Providence, RI
Hospice Aide
2020 - 2025
The Miriam Hospital
Providence, RI
Lead Emergency Technician
- started as CNA on Oncology 1 year
- created the lead position in ED.- participant in Be, and UPC- Phlebotomist- BLS certified- performs EKG, adds, pacemaker interrogation,
- Nominated and rewarded Care Team of the Year 2024, Care Team ooff of the Quarter 2025
The Last 5+ years
2018
RI & MA
Landscaper
2018
Providence, RI
Personal Assistant
2017
Pulp & Grind
New Orleans, LA
Barista
2016-2017
New Orleans, LA
Server
2016
French Market
New Orleans, LA
Vendor attendant
The Last 10 years
2015-2017
Bikram Yoga New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Studio Manager & Yoga Teacher
2014-2015
Oak Street Yoga
New Orleans, LA
Yoga Teacher
2014
Bikram Hot Yoga State College
State College, PA
Studio Manager & Yoga Teacher
2013-2014
Boiler House Yoga
Providence, RI
Studio Manager & Yoga Teacher
2013
Sol Pedicabs
Providence, RI
Pedicab Driver
2013
Eco Pedicabs
Providence, RI
Pedicab Driver
2010-2011
Donate Shop
Providence, RI
Cashier, Front Window Designer, and Manager
10+ years
2009
Community College of Rhode Island
Knight Campus Art Gallery
Providence, RI
Gallery Monitor
Providence City Hall
Department of Arts, Culture, & Tourism
Providence, RI
Paid Intern
AS220
Broad Street Studio/Youth
Providence, RI
Stipend Youth Artist
Devereux
Rutland, MA
20 years
Riverzedge Arts
RI
where?
Born in the lively city of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1989, I took my first breath at St. Margaret's Hospital, nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Dorchester. My early years were spent in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where the Fairmount Projects and Phoebe and Olo Streets formed the canvas of my childhood. These streets, alive with the echoes of laughter and the weight of hardship, became the foundation of my formative experiences, leaving a profound imprint on my soul that would shape my identity for years.
At just sixteen in 2005, I was caught in a whirlwind of contrasting emotions. A summer at the Rhode Island School of Design, immersed in pre-college textile design, offered a fleeting escape from the turmoil of my home life. However, this brief interlude was shattered when I was forced to leave my family due to my stepfather's troubling behavior. This turning point led me to Cato Street, where I lived in modest circumstances with my sister, navigating the chaotic streets of Boston and New York City.
Unfortunately, my journey took a dark turn with a devastating overdose, which resulted in my being placed in state care. I moved through various treatment facilities, including Bradley Hospital and Gateway Arts Stepdown in Johnston, RI, and Devereaux in Rutland, MA, before eventually finding a temporary home in a group residence in Providence in 2007.
The years followed were a relentless pursuit of stability and a sense of belonging. After experiencing homelessness, I found a sense of comfort. I relocated to the beach neighborhood Gaspee Point, on the coast of Warwick, RI, in 2008. This period marked my first thrilling flight to Florida and an adventure to Montreal, Canada. My wanderlust continued in 2010 as I embarked on a walkabout, traversing 47 states, sleeping under bridges, in tents on mountainsides, and on sandy beaches while occasionally finding refuge in the homes of generous strangers. The subsequent years were a tapestry of movement. I oscillated between Warwick and Providence, actively participating in the Occupy Providence movement in 2012 before finally settling in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2014, where I hoped to find a new beginning.
Life has taken me on quite a journey filled with exploration and new experiences. I returned to Rhode Island, where I embraced the familiar while venturing to exciting destinations like Mexico. My time at the AS220 resident studios was a creative highlight. Soon after, I relocated to Fall River, MA, and then to Woonsocket, RI. My travels continued; I had the chance to visit iconic places such as London and the ancient site of Stonehenge. After a series of moves, including a stint in the north end of Providence followed by the west end, I also enjoyed a trip to Puerto Rico. As of June 2024, I’ve settled back in Gaspee Point, ready for whatever comes next.
Phillip Carney is the epitome of a Leo. Albeit he would never admit to it, Phillip enjoys being the center of attention, he inspires others with his radiant sun-like energy, and is a natural leader.
With a background spanning education, design, hospitality, politics, and project management, Phillip brings a lifetime of diverse skills to his craft. Through it all, creativity and transformation have been his constant guides. From managing properties to running restaurants, he has mastered the art of problem-solving and reinvention.
Today, that vision comes alive in furniture: reimagining what life can look like through design. Each piece is an invitation to see beauty differently, to create something that lasts, and most importantly to tell a story.
Where?
Phillip grew up between Nashville and New York, where his early encounters with art left a lasting impression. While other kids visited children’s museums, he was captivated by places like the Parthenon in Nashville, where scale and imagination came together.
Living in New York provided constant inspiration, whether from the art museums or the raw lessons of surviving as a young artist in the city. When Phillip moved to Atlanta at seventeen, he immersed himself in the creative community by screen printing, assisting with installations, and reinventing furniture through thrifting and transformation. Those formative years shaped his instinct for experimentation and storytelling through objects.
Now based in Decatur, Georgia, Phillip continues to create furniture that defies convention. Each piece reflects his lifelong commitment to transforming the familiar into something beautiful and vibrant.