Melanin
Melanin is a video/film project that delves into the complex and often unspoken issue of colorism within marginalized communities, with a particular focus on Black women. It examines the ways in which internalized prejudice based on skin tone manifests within the Black community, influencing personal identity, social perception, and systemic structures. By bringing these experiences to light, the project seeks to challenge ingrained biases and spark meaningful conversations about the impact of colorism on self-worth, beauty standards, and community dynamics. Through a series of interviews with Black men and women spanning generations—ranging in age from 10 to 80—Melanin aimed to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives, shedding light on how colorism has shaped individual lives and collective experiences over time. These firsthand accounts not only highlight the personal toll of shade-based discrimination but also explore how attitudes toward skin tone have evolved across different eras. By documenting these narratives, the project sought to foster awareness, encourage introspection, and contribute to a larger dialogue about dismantling colorist ideologies within and beyond the Black community.
Client
DELIVERABLES
Video
Year
2019
Role
Creative Direction, Interviewer, Director
While I still believe the stories and issues explored in Melanin are important, the project was ultimately halted due to missing participants and scheduling conflicts. Time constraints prevented it from fully developing as intended. However, I remain open to revisiting and expanding on this project in the future, diving deeper into the complexities of colorism and its impact within the Black community. Upon reflection, I recognize that Melanin may have unintentionally placed greater emphasis on the struggles of lighter-skinned Black individuals, rather than highlighting the disproportionate targeting and vulnerability that darker-skinned Black people often face. While this was not my intention, I acknowledge this shortcoming. Despite this, I have chosen to keep the video featured because I believe the conversation remains valuable and serves as a foundation for potential future development. Additionally, one of the darker-skinned participants shared particularly insightful perspectives that I felt were important to preserve and share. Special thanks to Ogechi Elemuo, Maya Elbeck, and Paige Mitchell for participating and sharing their stories, even though their interviews were not ultimately featured.
Melanin
Melanin is a video/film project that delves into the complex and often unspoken issue of colorism within marginalized communities, with a particular focus on Black women. It examines the ways in which internalized prejudice based on skin tone manifests within the Black community, influencing personal identity, social perception, and systemic structures. By bringing these experiences to light, the project seeks to challenge ingrained biases and spark meaningful conversations about the impact of colorism on self-worth, beauty standards, and community dynamics. Through a series of interviews with Black men and women spanning generations—ranging in age from 10 to 80—Melanin aimed to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives, shedding light on how colorism has shaped individual lives and collective experiences over time. These firsthand accounts not only highlight the personal toll of shade-based discrimination but also explore how attitudes toward skin tone have evolved across different eras. By documenting these narratives, the project sought to foster awareness, encourage introspection, and contribute to a larger dialogue about dismantling colorist ideologies within and beyond the Black community.
Client
DELIVERABLES
Video
Year
2019
Role
Creative Direction, Interviewer, Director
While I still believe the stories and issues explored in Melanin are important, the project was ultimately halted due to missing participants and scheduling conflicts. Time constraints prevented it from fully developing as intended. However, I remain open to revisiting and expanding on this project in the future, diving deeper into the complexities of colorism and its impact within the Black community. Upon reflection, I recognize that Melanin may have unintentionally placed greater emphasis on the struggles of lighter-skinned Black individuals, rather than highlighting the disproportionate targeting and vulnerability that darker-skinned Black people often face. While this was not my intention, I acknowledge this shortcoming. Despite this, I have chosen to keep the video featured because I believe the conversation remains valuable and serves as a foundation for potential future development. Additionally, one of the darker-skinned participants shared particularly insightful perspectives that I felt were important to preserve and share. Special thanks to Ogechi Elemuo, Maya Elbeck, and Paige Mitchell for participating and sharing their stories, even though their interviews were not ultimately featured.