I Was Here

The I Was Here project began in 2016 as a set of emblematic Ancestor Spirit Portraits created by photographing contemporary African Americans as archetypal Ancestor Spirits. The portraits embody the dignity of the African American individual and family – imagery mostly missing in America’s visual history.
Through a synthesis of art, technology and history, the project is an invitation to examine our history and bring a new understanding to the concept of nation building. Truly understanding our history is the gateway to creatively conceive how we can honor the co-founders of our country and transform how we see ourselves and each other.