Inspiration on a hundred…
Poetry always hits home. Today’s event at the Barnes was everything and all of the things rolled into one. A group of poets from around the city came together to honor “Sister” Sonia Sanchez. It was absolutely beautiful. I also got a chance to experience Karen Smith on drums! I was working and listening and feeding off of the energy, love, and vibes that flowed throughout the space. I was beyond honored to get the opportunity to be in the same space as Ms. Sanchez.
Sharing a few pics from earlier today - enjoy!!
Point Breeze Community Appreciation Day!
A strong community presence, family, food, music, great performances, giveaways, and wonderful leadership... I knew it would be a phenomenal experience!
I felt compelled to go to this event yesterday. Over 25 years ago, I was a City Year corps member. My team leader was Kenyatta Johnson. Our team was stationed in the Point Breeze section of Philadelphia. We were in schools (St. Thomas Aquinas) mentoring kids, we ran afterschool programs at The Dixon House. We led neighborhood block clean up initiatives and much more. I remember my time there vividly. I specifically recall Kenyatta stating (with his chest) that he was going to be in politics and that he would make a difference for his community - and that is exactly what he sought out to do - that is exactly what he does. It is super-inspiring to see the stage of a person’s life where they are at the beginning of the journey and even more inspiring when they get where they’ve strived and fought to be.
Point Breeze was a whole vibe. The music, the back-to-school giveaways, the food… and the people!! You know it’s always the people for me. I love to stand and observe. I watch the mamas with their little ones - the dads cradling their babies. The seniors chilling and sharing stories from how it was back in the day and how so much has changed. The dance battles with Jazzy the Clown and crew. This wasn’t the neighborhood that I grew up in, but they sure did make me feel welcomed. Here are a few images from the day.
Cleaning House & Family Fun Day
This past Saturday, May 11th, I had the pleasure of documenting the 1st Annual Cleaning House & Family Fun Day held at Panati Playground in Philly (that's 3100 N 22nd Street for those who want to mark their calendars for next year!). It was a fantastic day filled with good vibes, helping hands, and tons of family fun…
This past Saturday, May 11th, I had the pleasure of documenting the Cleaning House & Family Fun Day held at Panati Playground in Philly (that's 3100 N 22nd Street for those who want to mark their calendars for next year!). It was a fantastic day filled with good vibes, helping hands, and tons of family fun.
Now, the name "Cleaning House" might have you picturing brooms and dustpans, but this event was all about cleaning up another kind of clutter: criminal records. The day featured a free Criminal Record Expungement clinic, which is a huge deal for people trying to move forward in life. Big thumbs up to the organizers for putting that front and center!
But that wasn't all! DJ Diamond Kuts & Moosey Vert kept the energy high with their awesome tunes, getting folks moving and grooving. There was free food to fuel all the fun, and games and activities galore to keep the little ones entertained.
Speaking of fun, let me tell you, the atmosphere was electric! There were dance teams showing off their moves, kids running around with smiles on their faces, and just a genuine sense of community spirit in the air. It was the kind of event that warms your heart and makes you believe in the power of bringing people together.
As someone who documented the event, I gotta say I felt so grateful to be a part of it. Capturing all the happy faces, the energy of the music, and the joy of the day was a true privilege.
Here are some pictures from the event to give you a taste of the awesomeness!
If you live in the Philly area, definitely keep an eye out for the 2nd Annual Cleaning House & Family Fun Day. It's a fantastic event that combines helping your community with some good old-fashioned family fun. You won't regret it!
Sending a huge thank you to Make It Happen Philly for selecting me to document everything!
Black Girls with Green Thumbs
As a photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing many beautiful moments, but few events resonate with the warmth and vibrancy of the "They Didn't Know We Were Seeds: Family Wellness Retreat." Hosted by the inspirational "Black Girls With Green Thumbs," this event unfolded in the serene backdrop of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, offering a haven of tranquility and bonding for mothers, children, expectant mothers, grandmothers, and female guardians alike…
Capturing Joy and Connection at "They Didn't Know We Were Seeds" - A Family Wellness Retreat
As a photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing many beautiful moments, but few events resonate with the warmth and vibrancy of the "They Didn't Know We Were Seeds: Family Wellness Retreat." Hosted by the inspirational organization Black Girls With Green Thumbs, this event unfolded in the serene backdrop of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, offering a haven of tranquility and bonding for mothers, children, expectant mothers, grandmothers, and female guardians alike.
From the gentle morning light at 9:30 AM to the soft afternoon glow at 3:00 PM, the retreat was a mosaic of laughter, learning, and love. The diverse array of activities ensured that everyone, regardless of age, found something to enjoy. Canoeing on the placid waters was a symphony of paddles and giggles, while the drum circle, led by the Urban Shamans, and dancing brought everyone to their feet, moving in harmony with nature's rhythm.
Storytime was an enchanted gathering beneath the canopy of trees, where tales of courage and adventure sparked imaginations. The arts and crafts station was a hive of creativity, with hands both small and big creating masterpieces that spoke of the day's joy. Hiking trails wove through the heart of nature, offering lessons not just in the flora and fauna around us but in the resilience and beauty within each participant.
The retreat also served as a culinary adventure, teaching attendees how to create healthy, nourishing meals that delighted the palate and fueled the body. Each activity, from the hands-on workshops to the quiet moments of reflection, was a thread in the tapestry of wellness and family bonding that this retreat so beautifully wove.
Through my lens, I witnessed more than just activities; I saw connections being forged, laughter shared, and a community of strong, inspiring women and children coming together to celebrate wellness, nature, and each other. The "They Didn't Know We Were Seeds" retreat was not just an event; it was a testament to the strength and beauty of communal growth and the enduring power of nature to heal and unite.
In capturing these moments, I am reminded of the profound impact of gathering in the spirit of health, love, and environmental stewardship. I am grateful to the organizers and participants for allowing me to document this beautiful day and to share in the joy and unity it fostered.
Until next year, may we all continue to grow, flourish, and remember that, like seeds, we hold within us the potential for incredible growth and beauty.
Winter Wonderland
I had the pleasure of documenting a fantastic event held in the Germantown section of Philadelphia this past Sunday. Northwest “Unity in the Community” event: Winter Wonderland Holiday Fair…
I had the pleasure of documenting a fantastic event held in the Germantown section of Philadelphia this past Sunday. Northwest “Unity in the Community” event: Winter Wonderland Holiday Fair. The venue was The Castle, which is located at 1021 E. Chelten Ave. It was my first time there and it was beyond beautiful. Everything was completely free to the community: the food and drinks, bouncy house, 360 photo booth, video game lounge area, pictures with Santa… no charge! It was great seeing everyone enjoying themselves. DJ Scorpio kept the Christmas vibes flowing with good music. State Representatives Darisha Parker, Stephen Kinsey, Anthony Bellmon and Senator Sharif Street were some of the forces behind this special event. You could tell that this event was planned with care - a huge shoutout to the committee members and volunteers, I commend you all!
And I almost forgot to mention the raffles and giveaways!!! Lots of gift cards were won by attendees and more! At the halfway mark, children were allowed to begin to select a toy (appropriate for their age range of course) of their choice. There were so many gifts for them to choose from. I saw coats, dolls, toy trucks, bikes, board games, basketballs, action figures - literally just about anything you could think of was out there. I believe they said that over 800 children received gifts - which is incredible! Check out some highlights below!
Something about flowers…
I have this weird relationship with flowers. I guess you could say that I’m a stalker of sorts. I cannot make them mine because when I do, tragedy is always looming around the corner and death is inevitable. It is sad, but true. My thumbs are the farthest from any possible shade of green - so I respect the ones that were blessed with those gifts. I go out of my way, usually to be near them. They soothe and calm me. My eyes delight in their beauty. I don’t need to remember their individual names and don’t even bother with trying to pronounce their scientific ones… all that matters to me is what they look like and how they make me feel. Perhaps one day I’ll begin to delve a little deeper into discovering interesting facts about them. But for now, I’ll just enjoy this child-like, sometimes purely superficial, sometimes spiritual relationship that I have with them.
Eric Benet at the Winery
Left work, got home, changed clothes, grabbed my camera and made my way to City Winery. At that point, I wasn’t sure if they allowed professional cameras at the venue, but just in case, I was ready. I love concert photography. I had to take a chance. Once I got to the door, I asked and made sure it was allowed - just no flash. Bet! My good friend Adrienne had gotten us some of the best seats in the house. She knew that we were in for a real treat and the only way to enjoy the evening was to be up close and in his face! LOL!!! And man was she right. Years were subtracted from my life, I was in awe…. the vocals, the band, the connection and all of the vibes… perfection. He sang one of his hits, “Spend My Life”, and impressively sang Tamia’s part in her absence. I loved the way he interacted with the audience. Grabbed people’s cell phones, recording himself singing parts of his songs. Shaking hands, making us feel like we were an integral part of the show. It was so dope. The absolute highlight for me, was when that man (Mr. Benet) grabbed my Sony and began taking pictures of members of the audience, the band and whatever else he wanted to - while never missing a beat or a note of the song he was singing, “Georgy Porgy”! I literally squealed in delight… it was so completely unexpected. I think it was, to me, extremely admirable to be totally in the moment… do what you feel… no inhibitions. I think that freed me up a bit. I don’t know if he will ever get to see these pictures, but I’ll share them here with you now. Keep in mind that this was not staged… I didn’t have time to adjust the camera settings - considering that, these are pretty fly! Can you guess which one is my favorite????
