Freedx Collective Black History Exhibit

Freedx Collective - $1,000

Who

Liz Clarke - 23
Bernie Alneus - 21

What

This summer I (Liz Clarke) was invited to shoot photography with the media crew at Bluesfest under a youth mentorship program collaboration between Youth Ottawa and Bluesfest’s diversity initiative. I ended up capturing black men who were stopped by the police on their way to the festival. I then created an online portfolio of the photos and videos I took and now I’m looking to bring it to life for a Black History Month photography exhibit in Ottawa. 

I’m looking to host this exhibit at SAW Gallery or the Ontario Art Gallery during the last week of Black History Month in February and in collaboration with Youth Ottawa and their Artistic Mentorship Program.

In their words: “This initiative is important because youth need to feel seen and supported by their community. They need to know that they are surrounded by and have access to supportive networks that are clearing the way for them and bringing them to the table. Racism in Ottawa is extremely prevalent and violent towards the black community and our youth are consistently targeted and attacked in our systems. I want to celebrate their resilience at this event.”