I Am Why is a movement for self-determination and justice that centers young women and gender expansive activists. Through an authentic methodology, communications tools, research and action, I Am Why’s young activists are reclaiming and re-creating their narrative. We are developing a collective vision of policies, practices and programs that center our humanity and power.
As I Am Why’s photographer, I made environmental portraits with the young activists that they then altered in I Am Why workshops, creating self portraits that reflected I Am Why statements for change. The resulting work is published in I Am Why Reclaiming the Lens, an art and social justice volume which invites the reader to join conversations among I Am Why activists during the spring and summer of 2020, when our country first confronted the pandemic and responded to the killings of George Floyd and others with mass Black Lives Matter demonstrations. The 108-page hardcover volume measures 13.5″ by 9.5″ and includes 39 original photographic and collaged portraits from I Am Why artists across the country.
