As an imaginative young child, escaping from reality was my favorite pastime. I fell in love with the cinematography of movies and the elaborate and magical universes of books. I believe there is a reason that the fantasy books of my childhood have resonated with me so deeply into adulthood: they shaped my perception of the world and expanded the possibilities beyond what the eye could see. When I learned of the existence of speculative fiction written by black authors across the diaspora, I was left heartbroken and ashamed that I was obsessed with white characters in an imaginary white world when there was so much beauty in my own culture and heritage.

In the wake of the summer of 2020 – a time of visual turbulence across media platforms where black bodies were seen in repetitive circumstances of hardship, trauma, and violence – I decided to pursue a narrative photo series that explores black people in the fantastical space and pay homage to the inner children of the African American community. As a young girl, I used books and movies as tools of escapism. As a black woman photographer, I desire to use my work as a tool for the liberation of African Americans in a country that often uses the camera to reinforce the gender, race, class, and sex caste systems. The moments that make me the proudest are when people see my work and experience happiness, inspiration, and visibility.

This series is continuous. I hope you enjoy what you see and that it prompts you to think about how you view yourself and your capabilities.