BETWEEN TWO DREAMS

between two dreams

ROLE: DIRECTOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGNER, STRATEGY

THE NEED

Amidst an ongoing genocide in Gaza and a clear history of apartheid and oppression by the Israeli regime, how do we respond as Black people and draw the connections necessary to foster solidarity?

The Approach

I partnered with Radwa Wahba, an Egyptian-U.S. American Liberatory Designer, to craft a project that could connect the historical and symbolic throughlines between the Black U.S. American experience and the Palestinian experience, while encouraging solidarity throughout Black U.S. American and Arab communities.

This culminated in two hero portraits, a custom scarf, a project brand package, and a 10-day social media rollout that would support a 3-week fundraiser for humanitarian aid through the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Direction

I focused on crafting an image of solidarity, strength, and resistance. We reached out to our community and cast people across Black, Arab, & Palestinian communities to come together and create a picture of rarely seen togetherness.

Visually, it was important to draw connections through symbols and colours that hold longstanding significance in both of our communities.

Branding

I created a branding approach that interweaved Palestinian and Black U.S. American cultural experiences and symbolism. As you dive into the project, you will see there are layers upon layers to dissect and connect with.

Social Strategy

With an intent to both inform and raise funds, it was essential to post regularly throughout the fundraising campaign.

With the continued emphasis on short form video on social media, I employed my series “durag thoughts.” to be the mouthpiece of education, connecting the dots between our oppression.

I utilized historic imagery and modern photojournalism to reinforce the similarities of our collective struggles against imperialism.

Merchandise

We chose scarves as the medium for to physically display the art for a myriad of reasons culturally, historically, versatility, symbolically, and as a symbol of unity. As you dive into and research our cultures, you’ll uncover the significance that these hold. One of the greatest advantages of a wearable symbol such as this is that it acts as a conversation starter, which will aid in cultivating solidarity.