Author: jchang220

Derick Obeng | Staten Island Portrait by Saad Ahmed Whatever Derick does is not to his own benefit. He is a devoted family man and he always helps his community no matter how dark times are. I wanted the light on his face to show that no matter what happens in Derick’s life, he always…… Continue reading Derick Obeng and Saad Ahmed

Yaya Barry | Manhattan Portrait by Ellen Levitt Yaya works with a non-profit group helping Senegalese people who come to the United States. The Jewish expression for that is a Landsmanshaft, a benevolent society of people who have roots in a certain place. So he helps people from Senegal acclimate and feel at home in…… Continue reading Ellen Levitt and Yaya Barry

Hawa Cham | the Bronx Portrait by Alena Lipa She is a friendly, brilliant, amazing person. She is full of energy.  Her brilliance is so shiny. She is trying to make the world better. She is studying filming and her films are going to be dedicated to real problems of the world, of her community,…… Continue reading Alena Lipa and Hawa Cham

Mariano Martinez | the Bronx Portrait by Victoria Carrique Being a dancer, the portraits came through with how poised and balanced and confident he was. We connected on our passion for the arts but more importantly, the fulfillment we get from sharing it with others. He is passionate about combining dance and the need for…… Continue reading Mariano Martinez and Victoria Carrique

Jared Rosales | The Bronx Portrait by Shirley Jones I wanted to show her sweetness. I found her very respectful, very animated. It turns out we have a lot in common in terms of culture. We talked about New York City and how our two groups, Mexicans and African Americans, how we deal here and…… Continue reading Jared Rosales and Shirley Jones

Anayi Charles-Pierre | Brooklyn Portrait by Carlon Barker This young lady is amazing. She has so much to offer. She’s quiet and calm, but you see that she observes everything. You give her the opportunity to speak about it and she has so much to say. She is very confident in what she wants to…… Continue reading Anayi Charles-Pierre and Carlon Barker

Pilar Maschi | Manhattan Portrait by Amany Abouelkhir We have a lot of things in common. I’m hard of hearing and she’s hard of hearing. We are connected in being an advocate for people – from the low-income community, housing needs, disability rights, incarcerated people or immigrants. We help by giving food, clothing, and education.…… Continue reading Amany Abouelkhir and Pilar Maschi

Christine Lee | Queens Portrait by Sandra Perez-Tapia and Niani Taylor Christine is a very sweet person. And very serious, too. When she was having fun, she was really powerful.  Whenever there is a protest, she comes with her drums to amplify the voices, the chants with music. The music can get a rhythm so…… Continue reading Christine Lee, Niani Taylor and Sandra Perez-Tapia

Shoshana Vogel | Staten Island Portrait by Masarrat Rashid Apsara Shoshana is very lively, happy and joyful. So, instead of taking a picture while she was looking straight at the camera, I took a picture while she was talking and smiling to show the real her. Shoshana is also very caring because she moved back…… Continue reading Masarrat Rashid Apsara and Shoshana Vogel

Noel Campbell | The Bronx  Portrait by Patrick Tubridy  There’s so many similarities in our upbringing. He was very close with his grandmother. I was very close with my grandmother. We are both very spiritual. He is a giver and a connector. I love to be fun and so does he. We were laughing the…… Continue reading Noel Campbell and Patrick Tubridy