BLACKSEEDZ
kendrick lamar
thinks like a jazz musician
BOSTON’S FIRST MOBILE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Watching my friend, whom I’ve known for years, become slowly entranced and indoctrinated into a gang affiliation lifestyle. Seeing this in real time pushed me to create Black Seedz. a nomadic, career searching, event-based, nonprofit organization that is determined to steer at-risk teens in Boston's neighborhoods—Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan away from gang violence and gang activity and violence.
FOR THE JAZZ CATS
Transitioning from teenage to adulthood, Kendrick Lamar has always been an artist I aspire to and admire. His multi-layered compositions and artistic versatility, being a voice for black disenfranchised communities across America, and simultaneously a voice for the youth is what inspired work as a teen.
Even though Jazz is expressed in tones of blue, red can capture the viewer’s attention through its nature of alertness and liveliness. Don’t let the minimalist palette overshadow the multi-layered showcase of the powerful imagery displayed on these pages. Working through the framework of faith. Faith that I and others like to become a BLCK Butterfly without the Apology.
In a world where disenfranchised communities are painted in shades of greyscales, Black Seedz needed that yellow like sunshine to bring to these neighborhoods. A color that breaks the narrative, that grabs the attention of the everyday kid walking down the street. Complemented with bold and sharp text that wastes no time in sharing its message through simplicity.
FROM THE WRITER’S ROOM
When we think of kids, many of us think of loud, rambunctious, and unfocused little people running around. I have always seen more than that in them. I see Jesus in them. Jesus is Us is a feel-good, heart-warming, coming-of-age story that integrates three different plot lines into one. The story of how DeAndre, Amelina and Stokely all make the effort to change and transform their communities
JESUS IS US
My work has always been countercultural, and Jesus is Us is no exception. The monochromic blue adds to this experience through the calmness and serenity it provides, partnering with portraits of these children as they showcase the spirit of Jesus through their actions in this film.