Capture our joy, not just our pain!

 

More often than not, when you turn on the media, you see Black people being arrested, killed, angry in the streets protesting or generally portrayed poorly. However, that is a one-sided view. There is love, happiness, success and joy on display in our communities on a daily basis but unfortunately it is rarely shown. Myself and four other Black photojournalists collaborated with the Philadelphia Inquirer as part of the Wildest Dreams Project to portray the full richness of Black lives. 

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I set out to cover the Black man's country club - the barbershop! The Black barbershop is one of those places in the community where you can see entrepreneurship, genuine connections and Black people taking care of each other. The barbershop is a comedy club, therapy session, debate stage and so much more. But most important is the transformation. Not the physical transformation of having a fresh cut but the emotional and mental transformation from when you enter to when you depart. Outside of the barbershop, you don't know how the world will handle you but in the barbershop, your brothers and sisters handle you with care. 

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You can view the full article at the Philadelphia Inquirer here.