Project Motion

Life in motion

Starting in 2018, I will be doing a multimedia portrait project exploring how Seattle's Black residents create and maintain home and community in the face of a rapidly changing Seattle. 

Humans understand the world through story. Creating spaces for voices not traditionally centered in public discussion can be a powerful tool for social change. As a photographer and video producer, my goal is to tell stories that allow for humans to exist in complex and nuanced worlds. 

I want to hear your frustrations and your inspirations. I want to hear how you made it to Seattle-or why you never left. I want to know what home feels like, and how that has changed over time. I want to hear the struggles that come with calling Seattle home, and the things that make it all worth it. I want to hear what makes Seattle awesome now, or what made Seattle awesome in the past. Above everything else, I want to hear what it’s like being Black in Seattle, from other Black people in Seattle.

With this project, I hope to accomplish 3 things: First, I want to explore the unique set of circumstances that come with Black identity in the Pacific Northwest. Second, I want to make a space where Black voices are allowed to be centered without apology. Finally, I want to create a space where one Black person is not required to be a race ambassador and instead is allowed space and agency to have individual hopes, dreams, and opinions.

This project is built upon the belief that there is no singular way to be Black. People of all ages, abilities, education levels, gender identity/sexual orientations, political ideology, religious backgrounds, career type, and duration of time in Seattle are highly encouraged to apply. While there is no singular way to be Black, the requirement for inclusion is that you are, in fact, black. (So no Rachel Dolezals.) The second requirement is that you must work, live, or play in Seattle.

Next Steps

-If you fit the participant criteria and are interested in being involved, use this handy-dandy submission form.

-If you know any person you would recommend, forward this page and the handy-dandy submission form.

-If you know of any community organization, business, or initiative that is by/for/centered on Black people with a great story of building community nominate them, or encourage them to nominate themselves using the (you guessed it) handy-dandy submission form.

Submissions are open until May 30, 2018. Portraits and interviews will take place over a series of days in Seattle.  

Please share this widely through your social network and colleagues. The wider the reach of the call-for-subjects, the more diverse the stories that are able to be told.

Thanks,

Percy