What is Photovoice?
Photovoice is a process by which people can better understand and exchange ideas about their community through images. It entrusts cameras to the hands of everyday people, enlisting them as recorders, and potential catalysts for and change, in the places they know best. It is an empowering and flexible process that combines photography with grassroots social action, and is commonly used in the fields of community development, international development, public health, and education.
Participants include community members of all ages and status including those who are discriminated against due to language, gender, race, class, disability, etc. Through their contributions, they bring new insights and perspectives which raise awareness of hidden or overlooked issues and aspects of the community.
2023 Story Quilts
In 2023 the BLACC aims to select seven local visual artists of color to commission thematic ‘story-quilts’ based on outcomes of the 2021-2022 Photovoice project. If the fundraising goals of the project exceed expectations we will commission more quilts, but aim to commission at least one per theme at minimum.
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History:
Starting in 2021 the BLACC asked the community to define for itself “ What is Black Life in Mobile?”. Through a method called ‘photovoice’ we received over 250 images that answered that question. Five artists of color were paid to lead photography labs in rec centers in the community, and distribute disposable cameras. The outcome of that project was an exhibition and defining of seven core themes that are important identifiers in the community:
Black Joy | Gathering
Black Hair/Fashion | Black Love
Neighborhood | Spirituality | Work
