#PICTUREBLACKNESS is a project started by Élan Hawkins and Blane Asrat. Before I join the project, Élan told me her story, “Growing up, I constantly struggled with issues around identity, especially in the classroom. What may have contributed to this was the fact that rarely had I ever been taught by an African American teacher. What reference did I have to go off of when I thought of the words strong, intelligent, trustworthy, successful, mentor? Certainly not someone with my complexion…. "

Élan's childhood experience put me in a shock. That kind of struggle, is not something I could imagine. The story moves me, and this triggered me to join the project. Her as the lead of this project, Élan wants to figure out a way that makes people relate to another individual; and that is through sharing stories and through shared experiences. And I always believing in human right and equality. I want to show my support on the BLM movement.

Élan said “I got traction around the idea with people sharing their artwork and stories alike. The real question was how we could display this work and really get our message around justice across?”