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Our In All Ways Human community-engaged portrait and visual storytelling project amplifies the voices and stories of Black boys and men in Baltimore. By taking and spreading images of intergenerational Black boys and men as they wish to be seen, our project reclaims the humanity of this group, while transforming the narrative and redefining possibilities for Black boys and men in Baltimore.
The public facing aspects of our work create the opportunity for dialogue among Black boys and men, community members (historic and new), and decision-makers about the needs and strengths of this group, with a focus on the ways violence resulting from root causes of structural inequities, social conditions, and racial dehumanization, shapes the health, well-being, and economic mobility of Black boys, men, and families in East Baltimore. The strategic placement of our outdoor installation will serve as a physical bridge between these worlds that we hope will also transform relationships and outcomes.
Even now, our In All Ways Human project is making an immediate impact on the community. Our Centering Black Voices team and community partner hosted a portrait unveiling event in Baltimore to share the life-sized portraits with our participants. Doing so was a powerful moment for participants, producing pride and transforming the way participants saw themselves, and redefining what is possible for their lives.
In All Ways Human participant, Michael Bell, Jr., talks about the impact of seeing his life-sized portrait for the first time
In All Ways Human participant-advisor, Kevin Harvey, stares in awe at his life sized portrait photographed by Mr. Z
In All Ways Human participant, Michael Young, stands proudly next to his life sized portrait photographed by Mr. Z
One mother cried at the unveiling of her son’s portrait. It reminded her of her own father who her son resembles who has been on death row for over 20 years. The portrait captured what was possible for her family and embodied what is possible for the next generation.
Brittney Lawrence’s 9 year old son Kamil proudly stands beside his life sized portrait and holds his personal print, September 2021
9 year old son Kamil proudly holds up his personal print of his portrait on the deck of the HEBCAC Youth Opportunity center, September 2021
9 year old son Kamil proudly embraces his younger brother while holding up his personal print of his portrait outside of the HEBCAC Youth Opportunity center, September 2021
Members of the Centering Black Voices Research Lab, and our partner Mr. Zizwe Allette did a mock installation of portraits for planning purposes in September 2021.
Cars driving by began honking horns in support and solidarity. Children playing in the park across the street came over to see the portraits up close. We could have never imagined that one of those children was the son of a young man photographed for the In All Ways Human campaign. Below are images of the moments he spotted his father. You can see the pride on his face and the impact of seeing his father visualized and celebrated in this way.
Son of Kevin Oliver, Jr. looks on in amazement at the unexpected surprise of seeing a life-sized portrait of his father posted on the wall across the street from the park where he and his friends were headed to play. In All Ways Human Participant-Advisor Kevin Harvey, Jr. and participant Jamal Brown affirm one another.
Son of Kevin Oliver, Jr. looks on in amazement at the unexpected surprise of seeing a life sized portrait of his father posted on the wall across the street from the park where he and his friends were headed to play.
Son of Kevin Oliver, Jr. poses proudly with the life sized portrait of his father posted on the wall across the street from the park where he and his friends were headed to play.
In August and September 2021, we ran an In All Ways Human digital ad campaign to spread our message across Baltimore. We intentionally placed our portraits in locations where they would be visible to a cross-section of people, especially those whose daily lives might not otherwise intersect with Black boys and men. We ran ads on the LED Big Billboard on North Charles Street and on 8 kiosks across the Inner Harbor, Downtown, Camden Yards, Mount Vernon and Bromo Arts District. In seven days, we generated an average of over 1.6 million impressions. Black boys, men, and families are #InAllWaysHuman. Visit our Baltimore Exhibits page to view more images of our Baltimore In All Ways Human Ad Campaign.
We are just getting started! Be sure to follow us on social media and join the conversation using the hashtag #InAllWaysHuman
Baltimore Ad Campaign: August 2021, Digital Kiosks, Camden Yards/Ridgeley’s Stadiums
Baltimore Ad Campaign: August 2021, LED Big Board N. Charles St.
