Disrupting dehumanizing narratives of Black boys, men, and families one portrait at a time.
Using portraits, our In All Ways Human photovoice and community-engaged visual storytelling project disrupts the dehumanizing narrative of Black male criminality by replacing mugshot images the media widely circulates with images that foreground the humanity, resilience, and value of intergenerational Black boys and men in Baltimore. We also seek to counter the visible and traumatic loss of Black life to police, community, and vigilante violence that captivates the media by amplifying portraits and stories that center Black boys and men in life, not death.
We asked participants what they want the world to know about who they are as a human being and as a Black man. Click on the portraits below to get to know their stories.
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Don’t judge me.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am not intelligent or cultured. When in reality, I am a soft spoken lover of all things music. I am always listening to all kinds of music. I love the stories music tells, because everyone has a story. We should listen to these stories instead of judging a book by its cover. People also assume I’m a deadbeat father, when in reality, I love being a dad and look forward to each moment I get to share with my son. I love my son so much and just want him to be safe, and have the opportunity to be a child.
Get to know my story.
Don’t judge us.
Get to know my story.
When people look at my son they assume he must be headed for trouble as a little Black boy. When in reality, he loves to help people, he is strong, and he is caring. He is genuine. I don’t want his innocence to be messed up. I want a child–my child–to be a child for as long as he can. Let him play outside. Let him live. People assume his father isn’t in his life, when in reality his father is his primary caretaker, not by force but by choice. People rarely acknowledge single dads. We are more than people imagine.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume the worst. They stereotype me as a thug, drug dealer, or troublemaker who is up to no good. When in reality, I get joy from bringing others joy and making others smile. I always try to do that. I wish people would push past their perceptions and get to know me as a Black man. They would be intrigued by what they find. I’m a data scientist. I participated in a program for people of color to learn more about data science while I worked on my GED and now I teach the program to help others. Don’t judge me. Don’t judge us. Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they count me out. People told me I would never be nothing. My journey was hard. Being told at the age of 15 that I would never see the age of 21 was hard. When in reality, I am a survivor. As a Black man in this world right now, I’m a survivor. There are a lot of good brothers out here. Don’t judge us. We just need a little guidance, understanding, and some patience. That’s what we need. Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am a thief, dumb, unapproachable, and not a nice person. When in reality, I am actually pretty nice and I’m very smart. I’m proud of myself for working toward my goals and striving to complete my education. I’ve been hurt by the pain of seeing friends injured and killed by violence in this city. I’ve also been hurt by false accusations of criminality when I’ve simply been trying to shop. We need love and support, not judgement and profiling.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am just a DJ and another Black man trying to make it in the music industry. They assume they “know my story” without knowing me. When in reality, I am also a youth recruiter, and someone with drive and passion. People would be shocked to hear all that young people in this city live through on a daily basis. I work to help my community by connecting others to opportunity and helping them develop skills, too. We need quality opportunities for our people, especially our youth.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am up to no good. They assume I am making bad decisions and getting caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time. When in reality, I am resilient. I am most proud of being 63. I have overcome incarceration and I experience freedom from drug addiction. I can tell you to push on for others.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am
violent, a threat, and want to bring harm to them. When in reality, I am not dangerous. I am genuine and enjoy speaking life into people. I am honoring the lives of my deceased brothers – one killed in a crash and the other killed in the streets. We called ourselves triplets. They live on through me. Whatever happens, God got me. I just live life day to day. We all are just going through trials and tribulations. Give us positivity and lift us up.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am dangerous, I don’t have potential, and I don’t want the best for myself. When in reality, I am not dangerous. I am just a Black man living in America. We all are just going through trials and tribulations. I am a genuine person, a great father and taking life one day at a time.
Get to know my story.
When people look at me, they assume I am not a hero to my community. When in reality, I have spent the better part of my life being a Community Advocate. I am a single father who raised my daughters from infancy and nephews, too. I grew up in East Baltimore in a neighborhood filled with family values, community pride, and spiritual guidance. With the help of my Lord and Savior and the ancestors, I continue to fight for those left behind in neighborhoods that have been designed to decay. I am still the same person at heart that I was as a child. I will stand up for my village and future generations to come, even when it costs. We will Change the Game.
Get to know my story.