Free Memories: A Black Raleigh Archive

[Supported & Funded By VAE Raleigh & The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts]


On September 21st and 22nd, 2024, I offered free 30 minute photo sessions to Black families and individuals currently living in Raleigh, North Carolina at Raleigh's own Tarboro Road Community Center; Free Memories was born.


"Free Memories: A Black Raleigh Archive" was born out of a desire for the Black people in Raleigh, North Carolina to have control over how they are depicted. Through gentrification and many other factors, Raleigh is changing rapidly and it's important for Black Raleigh's identity to live on through it all. It's also important for Black people in Raleigh (and everywhere) to be depicted how they want to be shown instead of how some media and news outlets choose to show them; which is inhumane and very stereotypical most times.

(Each session booked recieved all of their digital edits and 1 free 8.5x11 inch print)


I would like to give a special thank you to Queen & Co. Productions, Holly Tiara, Elizabeth Njoroge, and Gabrielle Joseph for their parts in making this project happen.

I would also like to thank Octavia Rainey & her family (Camilla Lewis, Malquis Oakley, Ernest Oakley, Jamarri Edwards, Syncere Hill, Kimberly Muktarian), Teresa Revis & her family (Latashia Williams, Sheila Taylor, Shadayna Taylor), Toney Murray, Wanda Cox-Bailey & her family (Brandon T. Cox, Flora Cox, Lisa Cox, Brianna Cox, Casyn Cox, Jettona Fletcher, Vincent Owens, Charles Cox), Rastaa (Lasan Johnny) & AneKia Tachē Hooker, Chris Facey, Madison Jay (Dionté Gambrell) & his children (Zaniya Gambrell, Demauri Gambrell), Dwight Campbell, Ashanti Dunn Terry, & Tarboro Road Community Center, Gail Belvett, Atinuke “Tinu” Diver & DHIC, Courtney Jefferson, Mark Anthony Brown Jr., Derrick Beasley, Carmen Cauthen, Jarrett Hendrix & Textured Hands, VAE Raleigh, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Richard B. Harrison Community Library, Billionaire’s Barbershop, The City of Raleigh, and the numerous community centers in Raleigh that allowed me to share the flyer for this project.


Without any of these individuals and organizations, this project would not exist; it takes a community.


Digital Photographs

All images made in 2024