The Impact Of Collective "See In Black" And Why It's Important

"This is a true celebration of all the unique ways our creative voices and stories exist in the world and how powerful we are as one." –Lelanie

See In Black is a collective started by six photographers — Joshua Kissi, Micaiah Carter, Dani Kwateng, Andre Wagner, Florian Koenigsberger, and Anthony Coleman — whose main goal is to help aid their selected causes in raising funds by selecting carefully curated imagery through their lens.

BuzzFeed spoke with Joshua Kissi, a photographer and one of the founders of See In Black, about the project. He said the final push to create this collective was "dictated by the result of things that have happened..."

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"For the most part, we sat back and thought: What can we do, knowing our gift is to create Black stories at this moment after the unfortunate passing of George Floyd? Sitting with the feeling of confusion. Just sit with this. We don’t get the opportunity to feel how we feel."

When it came to choosing photographers for the project, Joshua said it came down to referrals, saying, "if there wasn't anyone else we got on this list, we asked to please let us know. For the most part, it was from peer to peer."

@seeinblackproject / Instagram: @seeinblackproject

"We only had 80 slots, so it was about how do we make sure we represent all and show up in full Black spectrum? There's a good balance to keep people curious!"

See In Black has plans to reach out to colleges to help bring new and upcoming photographers on board. "Looking at academic institutions and how we (they?) help equalize the level of access to Black and brown photographers."

@seeinblackproject / Instagram: @seeinblackproject

"I didn’t go to SVA or Parsons, I started on the internet. Other people will find their ways through other non-traditional ways. At academic institutions, you’ve been critiqued by professors. When you learn on your own, you don’t understand the regulation, you have the freedom and your own voice, you get to convert what you need to."

Joshua said, "The greatest part has been the project, the visibility, the permanence."

@seeinblackproject / Instagram: @seeinblackproject

"It’s one thing to be visible. You can’t undo how people see you — we’re here for a reason, and when you see us, you see us. You can still see us, but not see us as a full range of emotions, because of the negative stereotypes. (Permanence because I think that there are these fleeting moments, the surface level of Black stories/images?) Whether in triumph or turmoil, we are here, we are present. We want to show everyday moments that are still moments."

When asked how the experience and feedback has been, Joshua said there has been an appreciation for Black image work and from the Black community.

@seeinblackproject / Instagram: @seeinblackproject

"There has been this mass appreciation and has shown that people on the list have gotten great press, since they are now able to be seen. Will they be in spaces that they are able to create and keep their own stories?

It has been monumental. We are seeing it come to light and feel super appreciative and show many ways that there needs to be more for us by us from institutions. If we keep the community at the center, that's the common thread we will operate through. We know that with each challenge there should be an opportunity to tell, write the story and do that from photos."

Joshua wrapped up and said that a Volume 2 is definitely something that is being talked about, "We have to streamline everything."

@seeinblackproject / Instagram: @seeinblackproject

"But it may come this fall!"

Check out the following photographers below to hear more about their experience with See In Black.

1. Myesha Evon Gardner

Myesha Evon/Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

"My experience with the See In Black collective has been very unifying in the most affirming and inspiring way. It is so beautiful to see how much more powerful we are together. I am always inspired by my brothers and sisters!"

2. Lelanie Foster

lelanief /Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

"To hold up this space together as a collective in unity and support of one another is so reaffirming and has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my artistic journey, especially as a Black artist. Standing alongside so many others whose art I admire and am consistently inspired by has been such an honor and deeply heartwarming. This is a true celebration of all the unique ways our creative voices and stories exist in the world and how powerful we are as one."

3. Sean Pressley

seanpressley_ / Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

"My involvement with the See In Black collective has been phenomenal in so many aspects, and I'm so extremely grateful that my work was included amongst such an amazing group of Black artists. The collective raised over half a million dollars and that's humbling in itself. For me, the impact has been increased visibility and an incredible sense of belonging as in pertains to my fellow Black artists."

4. Amandla Baraka

Amandla Barakal/Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

"It felt really good to be a part of something so Black, so beautiful, and so much bigger than myself. Friends outside of the art world, from all walks of life, have taken notice and purchased prints. That is a testament to the impact and a testament to the necessity of something like a See In Black, where Black creatives represent Black people."

5. Meron Menghistab

meron_photo/ Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

“It has been so powerful to see so many of my peers come together for such a good cause. The power we collectively have has been inspiring to see, and gives me a swell of pride and hope for what I want to see in the photographic industry. We come from infinite perspectives and experiences, and the collective work in this print sale is just the beginning.”

6. Danielle A. Scruggs

dascruggs_ / Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via Instagram: @dascruggs_

"Being in the See In Black collective has been an incredible and humbling experience. I have admired these artists for such a long time, and having my work shared alongside theirs is an experience I will always treasure. As far as feedback, one email in particular I will always hold close is from someone who was buying my print for her 6-year-old niece so she would have art where she could see herself. It’s a reminder that art is far from a luxury. It’s a necessity that allows us to hold a mirror up to ourselves and see all facets of both ourselves and the world around us reflected back to us."

7. Quan Brinson

@qnbrnsn_ / Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

"Being a part of the See In Black project was truly an honor. It felt great being part of something positive. Especially knowing we were going in with the goal in mind of helping those in need. I’d say the feedback has been great. I have new audience members from all over now and to me that means perhaps my work can inspire and/or bring joy to people in all parts of the world."

8. Jasmine (JASSIEUO) Durhal

Jasmine (JASSIEUO) Durhal / Instagram: @seeinblackproject / Via instagram.com

“My experience with See In Black has been empowering more than anything. Makes me wonder why we didn’t form this union earlier — it’s something so powerful about unity. Division harms the objective. See In Black means to see through our lens, our many perspectives, the beauty, the art, the pain, the experience, and see us! For who we are as humans also having and sharing an experience on this planet."

To see more photographers and stay updated with See In Black, click here.