DANA CLICK: BLACK LIVES MATTER PhOTOGRAPHY SERIES
Part of Group Exhibition July, 2020 on ZAZ Corner Digital Gallery

“With privilege comes duty, and this exhibit is no exception. With this piece I hope to not only showcase some of the beautiful Black lives I have had the honor of photographing, but also use this platform to amplify their voices. Each of the individuals featured below were asked to share a bit about themselves, their passions and how we can support their vision. Additionally, they were asked to share about their experiences with failing systems and the change that they want to see'“. — Dana Click

Kathryn Lewis

Instagram: @katmarlew

“I am a social media personality with the gift of gab for all things fashion and entertainment. You can support my vision by subscribing to my YouTube channel, KatMarLew, and engaging with my content on Instagram and Twitter, @katmarlew.

I would like to see more companies place Black talent in positions where we have more hiring power. That will show that they are serious about creating change.”

Jordan Moore

Instagram: @jaymore__

“Hey my name is Jordan Moore I’m originally from Chicago Illinois but now I reside in New York and my life’s work is modeling, making music, and custom-made suits and tuxedos. I’m a cool and loving person I follow my passion and dreams to be able to inspire others to do the same I do not value your money I value your time, your love and your appreciation the only way you can support me and my beliefs Is if you believe that we can change world with love!! and know that we are not alone. if we at least try we can make a difference!! Don’t give up!! I’ve been through many situations and experiences in my life some woke me and others broke me I experienced watching people get their life’s taken for reasons I didn’t know as a kid growing up in Chicago to my brother having a big drug problem I would rather not say and my sister who got sliced and almost possibly could have lost her life!! You probably like what does love got to do with this or how the hell did this make you a lover?”

Jordan Simmons

Instagram: @jordanisimmons

“What’s up! My name is Jordan Simmons. I’m a 22 year old laid back, driven, funny, educated black male whose attempting to make a way out of no way. From the very beginning the odds have been stacked against me; father passed before I was born, non verbal-aggressive autistic brother and honestly just being born African American in today’s society. I grew up in Dayton,Ohio and the mindset of an Ohioan is in my opinion complacent and comfortable no shame to them at all but there has always been a big difference from my peers mindset compared to my own. I have always dreamed of living in a big city and having my name actually mean something while they were struggling to even dream.

Two years ago I made a commitment to achieve everything I want in life regardless of what chips I was dealt. It was time to stop feeling sorry for myself. Since then I have moved to New York City, been in over 15 magazines, walked in NYFW 3 times, signed to one of New York’s best modeling agencies, started writing a book, along with starting my own business. Don’t think this was a walk in the park now because my first 7 months in New York I was sleeping on the couch and even had to find a cozy slab of pavement one night when I had no where to go. Of course America’s system has failed me more than once or twice but rather than elaborate on this i want to give a little incite on what it is like being of my race in today’s time. Everyday a white man wakes up showers or not, brushes his hair or not, then gets to work and is respectful to his coworkers... or not. My point being the white man has that luxury, if I don’t shower it’s oh he must’ve gotten his water turned off if I don’t brush my hair I am now nappy and unprofessional, if I am not super smiley at work one day there is automatically a problem. I can’t simply have a bad or off day I have to be my best every. single. day to even compare with my white peers and counterparts. That is white privilege and that is just a small glimpse into the mind of a successful black man.

Thank you everyone who was involved on this project, I appreciate the opportunity to be heard. If you would like to follow my journey follow me on Instagram.”

Markenlie Bernard

Instagram: @koivenomofficial

“I am a creative, artist and actress, my goal is to have a fashion empire and serve my community to the best of my ability. I’m very passionate about helping people and putting a smile on someone face in whatever I do. I believe that’s why I’m here and it’s my life’s purpose, to help people and change lives.
-Love and light

The education system needs to change. Our schools need to teach black history beyond slavery. I didn’t learn black history in high school, I had to do a lot of research to really learn about black history beyond slavery. Only during black history month, teachers would attempt to talk about The Harlem Renaissance. Slavery is a big part of our history but it’s not the only thing we have. Educate yourselves because our history matters. Our future matters. Our lives matter. Black lives matter.”

Chelsea Smith “Ezra”

Instagram: @thisisezra

“I’m Ezra, I’m a biracial musician, visual artist and, aquatic trainer. My entire life, I’ve heard, “playing guitar is for white people.” and, “Listening to rock music is for white people.” Ironically, black people created rock music and revolutionized all aspects of the music industry.

Systemic racism cripples the education of black and brown young people with inadequate programs. As a result, leaving youth ignorant of their powerful history, creating hurdles and, stripping them of valuable life experiences. Marginalized peoples don’t have access to not only these examples, but a vast amount of other life-enhancing opportunities

There needs to be a reformation of the failing education structures that are just one of the many schemes built to exploit black communities. To create radical change, it will take profound labor on an individual and constitutional level. So that black people will not only have the same chances for a successful future but a long-awaited birthright to equality.”

Empress Chikondi Rose Nana Afua

Instagram: @BillionaireMystic528hz

“I Am Empress Chikondi Rose Nana Afua. Billionaire Mystic 528hz & High Priestess of Radiant Pleasure. You can support my vision by engaging with my newly launched website, supporting my Gofundme, booking a 1:1 session with me and or subscribing to my emailing list via my website at www.srichikondirose.guru

My life’s work: I want to personally thank you all for being part of existence at this time and for supporting Chikondi Rose. Chikondi Rose exist as one of my many solutions to the current chaos of the world and to assist in the dismantling of the old age of Pisces. The bases of Chikondi Rose is spirituality, occultism and spiritual healing as a major force in winning this current spiritual war and beyond. Chikondi Means "Love in Chichewa" this love is more equivalent to Unconditional Love and Nana is a Royal Title in Ghana. Afua means Friday born woman in Akan-twi. Altogether, my name is a spiritual title that I has been bestowed upon me by the Ancestors, Divine Mother and Highest Consciousness, I Am.

Therefore, in totality my name means: Unconditional Love has risen and she is Friday born. I indeed incarnated into this earth realm on Friday, April 21st, 1995. Friday is aligned to and ruled by the planet Venus. Venus is the Goddess of Love, Beauty, Wealth/Money Abundance, Romance and overall Pleasure. My Sun sign is Taurus and Venus rules taurus. My rising, Venus and Saturn signs are each Pisces, located in my first house. With that being said, my Venus is exalted. I am all about pleasure and with a north node in Scorpio, I am here to share with the world the path to transcendence of Samsara by way of Sexual/Alchemical/ Tantric Spiritual Union of Heaven on Earth and all duality.

The origin of Billionaire Mystic 528hz, is very deeply connected to the divine feminine and my essence self as 528hz is associated with the element of water. This vibration restructures DNA and dispels all lower vibrations of fear, lack, scarcity, anxiety and disease by aligning the water within all to the Universal Frequency of Love and ultimately ललिता सहस्रनाम. For that I am grateful.

Love and wealth is truly the answer. What the world needs now more than ever, is true healing and the complete return of the Divine Feminine/Shakti in our most empowered state. The Melanated (Golden) Woman is the highest form of wealth that this world could have ever experienced. She is/I Am/ We Are the original woman. I am here to share with the world the secrets of why the world, by all means necessary, must protect and honor the Black woman. This is merely because, wealth, power, currency, the earth, and money are all feminine. These things are truly a woman. The key to our femininity and to unlock our abundance is for the woman to feel safe. This level of safety is not just a physical safety. It is an emotional safety, an energetic sense of safety, physical safety and financial safety. Each of these levels of safety are not just grounds for the material realm.

The divine masculine principle always exist as the provider of protective structure for the divine feminine to truly dance freely (in her most liberated way.) Sexual energy is creative energy and sex is truly an art form. It is also a form of sacred union and is highly esoteric. However, only true initiates are allowed access to the many realms of existence and the mysteries of life. I focus on the 528 hz frequency because at it's rawest form, all is energy, all is vibration and the fight we see outwardly in the world, is truly a battle of maintaining one's high vibrational alignment. Please allow for this information to digest and be gentle with yourself. That is all for now.

I feel as though the failure of systems and institutions in this western world has always been on a path of rapid decay. This is because the foundation of these institutions and systems were not being adequately rooted in anything truly set in stone. My ancestors always spoke into existence all that is, utilizing magic, with such firmness and conviction that left long lasting manifestations. They also worked with structures and the language of mathematics and geometry and the ether and this science literally has been solidified in stone aka material manifestation. This “new world” was actually built on water, something that is fluid and in its fluidity, everything is constantly changing. This fluidity is water and water carries the information. however, in the Age of Pisces, information was fragmented and the creators and co-creators and verbal and visionary commanders of this realm, only achieved power through the absence of the open flow of information/water/resources. billionairemystic528hz's profile picture

This structure and the institutions of the Western world are all built off of deprivation and the more that people awaken and yet dive deep into the water element and the divine feminine principle; the Source of wealth itself, they see that deprivation is a choice and a mental virus. The change that I desire to inspire, is a world that not only is devoted to the divine feminine and the divine mother and divine child but also that openly from the heart, creates safety for her to feel honored and welcomed in Earth. This starts with the honor of the Black Woman and the removal of the misconceptions around women’s sexuality, power, and worthiness.”

Nneka Udeagbala

Instagram: @nneka_akenn

I just graduated from college, I got a B.E. in Software Engineering. I think it was an interesting experience because I was able to appreciate the strengths and limitations of technology. Also really jarring to think we learn how to engineer without learning about the people we are building for. I am on my way to graduate school now for a PhD in Informatics. I am hoping I can delve deeper into how technology interacts with us on a social level. Specifically, I want to see how technology integrated into cities can increase accessibility. If we're going to do it, we might as well try to make sure it's actually helping people. Ideally, we can use technology to bring people together while regulating it enough to mitigate it's harm. Some would call it a pipe dream.

It took me a long time to come into my power. I think it seems like I am grown for my age and have a lot of myself together, but I know my path was much harder than it needed to be. In elementary school, I was constantly told to stop trying by my peers. In middle school, I was looked down upon by my teachers. I was not put into advanced math classes until the teacher noticed I was basically her TA. Before that year, I was really just seen as disruptive and an attention seeker. That happened to be the first teacher who treated me like a student rather than a bother. Things got a lot better in high school. I was equally as likely to study English versus Engineering, but my English teacher asked me (the only black student in the class) my opinion on the n word and Ferguson... while my math teacher just consistently believed in my ability to succeed. That heavily shaped my future simply because I didn't care about my life after college. I didn't have the strength to at that point. I figured I was good at math and I had to go to college, so engineering it was. I am not sure why institutions thrive on being discouraging. Some solid, unbiased support could go a long way in letting individuals become their best self. Instead, I see so many people blossoming in spite of being torn down. It is not endearing or heart warming to witness resilience. It is just kind of ridiculous that children have to build so much of it.

Chikaodi Odemena

Instagram: @chikayodi

“My name is Chikaodi Odemena and I currently work with adults who struggle to manage their mental health. My passion is people but more specifically, black people. My goal is to create a business that caters to previously incarcerated and low-income black people because I feel that they are misunderstood and have it the hardest. If you are someone who has been incarcerated for 2+ years or lives below the poverty line (currently or previously) I’d appreciate if you reached out to me so that I can ask a few questions to better understand what services would help make your life easier. I’m still in the process of creating a business plan but investors are also welcome to inquire.

I am very fortunate to say that I personally have not been failed by the system. As I said earlier, Black people are my passion. Although I have not been failed by the system, I still feel a similar pain and frustration to people who have been. My heart still hurts for Kalief Browder. Moving forward, I would like to see reparations in the form of consistent financial assistance, equal job opportunities, equal education systems, and equal treatment. I’d also like to see police departments defunded and prisons abolished.”

Travis McCoy

Instagram @trvsmccoy

“My name is TRVS MCCOY, a painter born in Columbus, Ohio now a resident in Jersey City. My life’s work and style revolves around the human condition. Mental struggles, individual challenges, and triumphs from our day to day life. I was 10 years old, when I decreed to be an creative of great value. This mantra makes me a perfectionist, learning and utilizing different mediums to focus on this goal. I’m looking to help guide others through their internal conflicts by using my art as a vehicle, to drive home the narrative that we are all capable of change and conquering our strongest insecurities. My end goal is to not only help in donations to organizations, but curate my own that focus on bettering my community. Together I feel that there is a certain bar we can raise with communication, openness, and empathy when understanding the duality of one another. People can support my vision by listening. Taking the time to view and understand my art, and everyone’s point of view through a canvas.

When dealing with institutions, my experience has just been that there weren’t enough. There was never enough of a probability of success when it comes to opportunities for a black person in specific. I say this because of classism and a lack of education within underprivileged neighborhoods. The opportunities I have now, were not accessible to me at an early age. And although I am thankful, I feel like society should adapt to a more equal playing field when it comes to “whose eligible for what”. Whatever job, whatever responsibility should be accessible to whomever meets the clients needs. I want to see change for the artists of today. Taking their talents from a private home gallery to a world market. I want us to specifically adhere to talent, and put some strength behind those who show promise, drive, and admiration.

Currently I have children books that I have illustrated, in collaboration with the author Ammie Elliot. These books embody a progressive approach to our modern climate, using a non-binary main character as a muse to learn and grow with children ages 0-8. I am also working on curating a “virtual gallery” experience which will be streamed through my site at trvsmccoy.com. And for those looking for a first hand performance, to subscribe to my sites newsletter for updates on the physical gallery. Which will be accommodated by FRANKIES restaurant/boutique. It’ll be an experience where conservation will be welcome, and guests will leave with new connections, friendships, and an appreciation for togetherness.”

trvsmccoy.com

Travis

Instagram: @harlemmoneyiceis

“My life’s work as a black young man is taking care of my kids making sure they learn wrong from right and put them on a beautiful path to success.”

Jean Andre Antoine

Instagram: @jaaphotos

“I’m an analog street photographer in New York City. Who works daily from my “office” on the corner of Prince and Broadway capturing portraits of passersby on instant film. Im an editorial and commercial photographer in both instant and other film formats, and an exhibiting artist of original instant photographs, fine prints and installations. My goal with my work is to bring the everyday subjects of life into fine art.”

Cheikh ProctorInstagram: @rotcorphkiehc,Bandcamp: rotcorphkiehc, Dxui“Hi my name is Cheikh Proctor, i’m 24 years old from NY and what can I say I’m a creative!. I have been playing music for as long as I can recall. My go to instrument is Drums but …

Cheikh Proctor

Instagram: @rotcorphkiehc,

Bandcamp: rotcorphkiehc, Dxui

“Hi my name is Cheikh Proctor, i’m 24 years old from NY and what can I say I’m a creative!. I have been playing music for as long as I can recall. My go to instrument is Drums but a lover of production and making my own unique compositions. I just wanna create and have a hand in anything creative. I moved to Bushwick in early 2019, doing so gave me an abundance of opportunity to immerse myself within the music scene. I have had the opportunity to play with such local projects such as The Mombs, Bliss Point, Marcus Jade Music, @Bymaddz and Freakquencee!. I had the pleasure of playing at the Rockefeller Center, Opening for Talib Kwali and playing at the Hau5 in Bed Stuy a dope space for the promotion of Black alternative art!. I have recently been focusing on more production based stuff such as my own solo projects, Rotcorphkiehc, and Dxui. I’m a lover of experimental, lo fi and overall strange works drawing inspiration from Ariel Pink, Samiyam, Vinyl William, Madlib, The Samps, Boards of Canada and Yves Tumor. I think especially now is an essential time to speak up! whatever it is a thought, music, drawings, interpretive dance doesn’t matter. I think a common misconception is that people think that a contribution has to be some huge grandiose act that shakes the core of humanity, but the truth is that contribution comes in different shapes and sizes. I can say my contribution and dedication AS a Black man is to promote and raise up the voices and art of marginalized communities simply doing amazing and innovative work. It’s great that we have a place like NYC to ooze out creativity and expression, but what about when an unarmed black man is gunned down and the cop gets acquitted?? That is sending a universal message, and this is not a new trend. I create for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the numerous lives that didn’t have a slight chance!!.”

About the Photographer

Dana Click is an analog photographer and native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx. Dana has been featured in a number of different art exhibits in NYC and beyond. Human nature is the focal point of her street 35mm film photography. With her work, Dana seeks to expose authentic moments and provoke emotional reactions.

Instagram: @danaclick

Website: danaclick.myportfolio.com