G” PROJECT / PORTRAITS
Book/Public Art/Exhibition/Social Media
BACKGROUND
In 2014 board member Vince Morgan took Black Institute (TBI) founder Bertha Lewis to visit Edward Hillel at his Harlem studio. Over the past three decades Edward’s art has dealt with themes of community, landscape, memory and social justice. Bertha laid out her dream to tackle immigration reform and increase voter turnout in black and brown communities. Edward suggested creating a national art campaign that would showcase the faces and the diversity of the African diaspora through the lens of the immigrant experience, rather than that of race as it has always been.
The idea is simple, the message is powerful: Everyone is a “G”. As far back or as recent as our ancestors go, we all came from somewhere to this country to build community together. We are all in it together, with an equal stake in what our future will be.
CONCEPT
Beginning with the myriad Amerindian tribes that first settled and cultivated this land, the United States was created by immigrants, and continues to thrive and lead the world largely due to the successful absorption and integration of its immigrants. Since the birth of the country this overarching narrative to achieve the American Dream has excluded black and brown communities, relegating them to “minority” status and defining them as “the other”, first through slavery and then through laws, narratives and policies that have continuously limited their opportunities and diminished their contributions to building that dream.
According to current trends and census data, this is about to change: by 2050 the majority of the US population will be brown and black. The “other” will become the “we”. The Black Institute, through the G Project and other issue-based advocacy and education campaigns, is leading the way with this transition.
Through photographic portraiture and video interviews, G Project / Portraits showcases the faces and stories of individuals of the African Diaspora, and brings them into the mainstream of public discourse. By recognizing and illuminating the diverse backgrounds, distinct experiences and wide-ranging contributions of black and brown individuals throughout our nation, The Black Institute’s G Project / Portraits hopes to contribute to the current national dialogue on immigration.
A detailed project exhibition/publication sponsorship document is available upon request.
Book/Public Art/Exhibition/Social Media
BACKGROUND
In 2014 board member Vince Morgan took Black Institute (TBI) founder Bertha Lewis to visit Edward Hillel at his Harlem studio. Over the past three decades Edward’s art has dealt with themes of community, landscape, memory and social justice. Bertha laid out her dream to tackle immigration reform and increase voter turnout in black and brown communities. Edward suggested creating a national art campaign that would showcase the faces and the diversity of the African diaspora through the lens of the immigrant experience, rather than that of race as it has always been.
The idea is simple, the message is powerful: Everyone is a “G”. As far back or as recent as our ancestors go, we all came from somewhere to this country to build community together. We are all in it together, with an equal stake in what our future will be.
CONCEPT
Beginning with the myriad Amerindian tribes that first settled and cultivated this land, the United States was created by immigrants, and continues to thrive and lead the world largely due to the successful absorption and integration of its immigrants. Since the birth of the country this overarching narrative to achieve the American Dream has excluded black and brown communities, relegating them to “minority” status and defining them as “the other”, first through slavery and then through laws, narratives and policies that have continuously limited their opportunities and diminished their contributions to building that dream.
According to current trends and census data, this is about to change: by 2050 the majority of the US population will be brown and black. The “other” will become the “we”. The Black Institute, through the G Project and other issue-based advocacy and education campaigns, is leading the way with this transition.
Through photographic portraiture and video interviews, G Project / Portraits showcases the faces and stories of individuals of the African Diaspora, and brings them into the mainstream of public discourse. By recognizing and illuminating the diverse backgrounds, distinct experiences and wide-ranging contributions of black and brown individuals throughout our nation, The Black Institute’s G Project / Portraits hopes to contribute to the current national dialogue on immigration.
A detailed project exhibition/publication sponsorship document is available upon request.