Voices of the Black Community with Nitashia Johnson

Nitashia Johnson joins PWB to discuss the importance of promoting narratives of Black self-love on the pilot episode of Storytelling for Change.

Nitashia Johnson, is a multimedia artist who graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in 2008. She went on to become a 2012 alumna of Texas Woman’s University with a BFA in Design Communication. In 2019 she won one of the five spots open for first-round Sony Alpha Female Creator-in-Residence program.

​She's an independent designer, photographer, and visual artist who loves to collaborate with fellow artists and working on her creative after school program The Smart Project. She is also the creator of The Self Publication photographic book series that shares reflections and images from members of the Black community. Her goals have always involved using her talents to make others happy and to make positive changes in the world. Join us to discuss the importance of this work as she aims to make Black beauty more visible and to promote narratives of Black self-love. 

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Transcript

Nitashia Johnson: 0:00

Five years ago, I attended a protest in Rhode Island. And it was beautiful. You know, it was a lot of unity they're involved in, you know, it wasn't overwhelming. Now when I see the protest, it's still beautiful and but it's very overwhelming because people are, like really pouring their souls out trying to raise awareness about what is happening. And what really strikes me the most. And what worries me the most is that I see these young people, these young kids out here really protest and they're using their voices to make a difference. And that's what I strive to do when I work with them.

Unknown: 0:36

Bringing you conversations with the world's leading visual storytellers on making real impact. This is storytelling for change the photographer's without borders podcast, I'm your host, Danny Condit Silva, and I want to acknowledge that I'm coming to you from the traditional territories of the Hoda. nashoni on a Shinobi, matey and Mohawk First Nations in Canada. Our guest today is Natasha Johnson. Natasha is an independent designer, photographer and visual artist who had also founded a creative after school programme called the smart project. She's a Sony Alpha female, and is the creator of a magazine called the self publication, a photographic book series that shares reflections and images from members of the black community. Her goals have always involved using her talents to make others happy, and to make positive changes in the world. I spoke with Natasha about her life, her work and her experiences advocating for black lives through representation, mentorship, and creative expression.

Nitashia Johnson: 1:39

My upbringing wasn't the best, I came, you know, and I live and grew up raised in Dallas, but I always bounced all over the place, you know, grew up in a project in West Dallas, and it wasn't the best, but we made what we could to get by. I live with my grandma, because my mother wasn't necessarily in the picture. And it's not like she was a bad woman or anything. But when the world gets a hold of you, especially if you're sweet and gentle person, it can really change your life in a way that you wouldn't ever imagine. So, you know, I did not say that. I can't say anything negative about my mom, I did stay with her a few times throughout my life, but it wasn't long enough to really have that affection that a child will want. My dad got deported back to Nigeria when I was very young. You know, and I believe my family just truly got wrapped up in what was happening to the community at that time. You know, dealing with poverty and in the situation with drugs, a lot of things were happening. So bouncing around from different households living living with different family members really had an effect on my life. Now, as a kid, I didn't necessarily always see the negative things happening. I was always a positive kid, and you know, thankfully to my grandma, but she was pretty strict. And to my step grandpa at that time, I was able to kind of hold myself my head up high. And one thing I do remember that my granddad told me to always keep the innocence inside of me because he noticed that had a good spirit. And he didn't want the world to jeopardise that like it did my mom.

Unknown: 3:18

All the inconsistency took a toll on Natasha as a young person, but she also credits the fact that her upbringing took place among a wide network of family members as a large part of what helped her become the person she is today.

Nitashia Johnson: 3:31

My mom enrolled us into school, elementary school, we stayed there for a day, and then we moved again, it was just really disruptive. And all of that stuff really took a toll on my life. But luckily, you know, as we transferred from household to household as we lived with aunts, and uncles, and, you know, we met so many different people, while still living in poverty and struggling as a family, I did meet lots of good teachers, lots of good mentors that really believed in me, and they pushed me to the next level. And I can honestly say that if it wasn't because of them in the collective support that the family members that I had around, gave to me, I would have probably ended up in a worst off situation in not being the person I am today, who is trying to do the same thing that others have done for me.

Unknown: 4:30

I interviewed Natasha in the summer of 2020 during the uprisings in response to the killings of George Floyd, Briana Taylor and an untold number of other black people who have been killed and brutalised by police. I knew she had been attending several of these actions. So I asked her to tell me about what her experience of them was like, and how she views what was happening there in the context of her storytelling.

Nitashia Johnson: 4:56

Five years ago, I attended a protest in Rhode Island and it was beautiful. You know, it was a lot of unity there involved. And you know, it wasn't overwhelming. Now when I see the protest, it's still beautiful. And but it's very overwhelming because people are, like really pouring their souls out trying to raise awareness about what is happening. And what really strikes me the most. And what worries me the most is that I see these young people, these young kids out here really protest, and they're using their voices to make a difference. And that's what I strive to do when I work with them. Um, it makes me worry about their safety, it really does. But to see them act out there of all different races and cultures standing for the same thing, because kids know when something's right, and they know when it's wrong, and they speak out on it. It's just, it's a beautiful thing to see. But mentally, I've had to find the beauty and the little things like going out in nature, you know, taking pictures of animals playing with my rabbit, she chews on everything, but she does. But, you know, being able to find the beauty and little, the little things has saved me mentally, because it's draining, it's draining, especially as an educator worrying about if some of the kids you taught in the past are going to be hurt when they're out there protesting. So, you know, I hope things change, I really hope they change with the voices of these young people who are pushing to change the future in the next generation.

Unknown: 6:27

One of the projects Natasha produces is this incredibly beautiful magazine, which she's created called the self publication. It's a magazine that celebrates black stories, and in a very creative way, I asked Natasha to tell us a bit about how she decided to start the magazine, what it is exactly, and what it means for her and her community,

Nitashia Johnson: 6:49

the self publication, you know, I would say my life inspired it, but it I was really inspired when I went off to grad school. So I went out to study at the Rhode Island School of Design, in 2014, and I graduated in 2013. And when I was there, I was disconnected from friends and family and all of the things that I was used to back in Texas, and I was able to see the harsh names and stereotypes being shared online. Some of those same stereotypes, and just ill, you know, behaviours that were happening online, really did impact a lot of my friends, as well as myself. And when you go through life, I felt that going and growing up in life, you know, going through all of this stuff that I had to endure as a kid, and then in high school not actually been exposed to my history, kind of is what led to this project, because lots of people have issues in they spoke about them in this publication that were never spoken about before. You know, it's kind of like, well, you're strong, you know, you're seeing as a strong person in the black community, you know, seeing a shrink or therapist wasn't like something that was discussed or, you know, heard of, and that was a problem. And I saw that that was a problem because of the way, you know, my friends, were interacting with other people, you know, worrying about microaggressions at work, worrying about problems within their relationships, how they are viewed, how they have to compromise and sometimes change their voices or their stance to get jobs. It can be very draining on a human spirit. And what I wanted to do was opening up a platform to have people speak and talk about themselves and as a way to allow other people to relate to them. Now, when I initially started the project, just wanted to photograph black women with natural hair. Because I had recently transitioned and, you know, I was priming my hair, because the idea of it being kinky, wasn't deemed as beautiful, but unknowingly, I was combing my hair because of the world what the world had taught me at a very young age, my grandma started printing my hair, so I just thought it was necessary. But when I was away at grad school, learning about myself, I started to learn about my history, starting to tie in my life story and relate it to the stories and what I wanted to do for this publication really helped me form this, this publication into what it is now. And now it's not just only about women with natural hair, but it's about members in the black community and their stories in ways to heal. So it's hard, because I do it all alone, but it's necessary and I wouldn't change it for the world because I really love my culture. And I love the idea of people reading it and understanding it. When, when I look for, you know, participants is either word of mouth or I'll make a post but usually it's you know, after all of that they go through stages like that. Sometimes it's just the vibe I get from individuals I meet in person, because it's very important to me to include people who are very, you know, thoughtful, they care about others. They see the world from the same perspective that I do. And even if they don't, it's not like I will turn them away. But I want to make sure that they, you know, believe in themselves and that they are comfortable enough to share their stories because I don't want to force anyone to do anything. I really just judge, I go based off vibes and all that good energy in, you know, I've met over 28 people with good energy, and they're just all forward. And they usually just tell me, you know, after the book is published, like thank you for allowing me to tell my story. But I have to thank them for even wanting to share their stories with me.

Unknown: 10:33

Natasha has thus far completed two of these 74 page publications, which are full of stunning images of the 28 participants and their stories. I asked Natasha, how she chooses who will be included in the magazine and what the magazine means for those who are featured in it, as well as the broader community.

Nitashia Johnson: 10:52

Okay, well, self publication is all about the idea of loving yourself, because it's been often found in the community, that people have found it very hard to love themselves, due to the stereotypes that have been enforced. And due to the you know, the ideas of oppression that have been in force since a very young age, it starts very early. And believe it or not, lots of these people are in this publication are millennials and they were not seeing the representation that they needed to see of themselves good representation. In the media, in many of the shows that were available, that were like pop, that show positive black images aren't necessarily around anymore, and they were not around in their teenage years. So, you know, it ties to a lot of things because they talk about, you know, the idea of people touching their hair in the workplace, you know, when he speaks about being profiled and told to leave a neighbourhood, and he's such a sweet person, I will never imagine anyone doing him like that, but it happened. Others talk about, you know, the encounters they've had with racism, and you know, they, these people have to live with us that is very traumatic. And it's embarrassing, you know, and my first, my first experience was, I was very young, and I got lied on by another student of, you know, a white student, when I was a very small child, I told the teacher, I hit her, so I got forced to sit in a corner. And second time, I was around 12. And a grown grown adult who was cutting my mom off on the freeway caught us the inward, and you know, stuff like that sticks with you. I still remember instead, the man's voice rings as if it was said yesterday. So all of these stories, there's so many different stories in this publication. And none of these people know each other. And well, maybe a few of them might know each other, like are related or something in that that way. But many of them don't know each other. And they all have similar stories around traumatic experiences. But it's not about just trauma. They also talk about the love that happens inside of there as well in unity. But most definitely, they hit hint and talk about the supremacy in the oppression that's happening to the community.

Unknown: 13:10

The self publication is a series created to combat harsh stereotypes associated with the black community. And the result is a stunning collection of stories and photographs that share some deeply personal stories and experiences. I asked Natasha, how she approaches the interviews for the self publication, and if she has any go to questions she uses to initiate the conversations.

Nitashia Johnson: 13:33

One of the first questions I ask them is how do you feel about self love? And how will you define it by how do you define it? I mean, and that opens the door immediately. And they're like, Oh, I love this about myself. This makes me happy. And then before talking about any negative things, they are able to talk about the love first. So it's not as heavy as a burden. So that's always my go to question. Because while all that's going on, I want people to continue to love themselves, because if they don't love themselves, they can sink into a deep hole and never come back. So that's just the question that I feel that's necessary. And even at the exhibit. The panels that I had huge posters, everyone was able to come and sign words of inspiration. So they sign in wrote positive things about one another, and it was beautiful.

Unknown: 14:21

As someone whose childhood was impacted significantly by the mentor, she found herself in the presence of Natasha wanted to find a way to give back and do the same for you struggling with similar circumstances. While she was at our ISD she founded the smart project, an after school mentorship programme created to connect teens in grades eight to 12 with artists, designers and photographers. Natasha spoke about the smart project and what it means to her.

Nitashia Johnson: 14:53

When I was talking about my life story, the teachers and the mentors man, they can really inspire a kid. It's fun. They mean well, so that's why it's so important. I'm just gonna say, it's important for teachers who really care about the generations and the kids to teach to be in the schools. So, um, I was inspired. Before, like, when I was a teen myself, I've always wanted to be a mentor to other kids, but I never got that opportunity. So when I did go to rezaee, I went to the IRS, the the Rhode Island School of Design, for art and design, education. And man, they put us in so many schools, we were doing presentations every day. And, you know, I was really drained. But I was so happy about all of the students I got to work with, you know, worked from, with students from Title One schools, students who lived in the suburbs in, you know, students who were in foster care students who just didn't have parents and students who had children of their own. But I noticed that they all gravitated, and they loved me just the same, because I didn't treat any one of them any different. I felt that they were all equal. And I made sure that they knew that I didn't care if I had a student that was an amazing artist. And I had another student who just couldn't just get a stick figure, right? It was all about letting them know that, hey, you know, your person or anything. And I want you to understand that you without being there at the time really inspired me. I had the opportunity of mentoring project open door, which was ran by the T lad department. And then I went in to that school was like, I'm never gonna be a teacher. And I left and I was like, yeah, this is what I want to do. And I was so excited about the idea that I had to build an after school programme that really just took off at RISD, the that when I came back home, I just started the work. I remember coming up with a name for right after I graduated, and that was the year. And, you know, years later, it finally happened, you know, in the four, you know, girls and back, including me, we just worked together to make it happen. And these kids are so great. And it's still going, we just received our 501 C, you know, status. I'm excited to see where we go.

Unknown: 17:08

When I sat down with Natasha for this interview, we had actually just run a beyond ally ship workshop at photographers without borders, which aims to bring in ethical literacy to the photography industry. And we'd had a lot of questions from participants who are not black and wondering how they could help photograph and document the Black Lives Matter protests and uprisings. In other words, how could they be better allies or strive towards ally ship,

Nitashia Johnson: 17:34

I would say really build that connection and speak to one another, build friendships. Understand the beauty of all the cultures understand the beauty of the world. And that way, your experience with documenting and creating the work won't feel so abnormal. I would say it's nothing wrong with photographing it, but you don't want in the, in the instance, where you see a perfectly good composition and you know that it's going to make a good photo. If you have to go out of your way, or push someone to the side just to get that photo, or to make someone feel uncomfortable. Don't take it. Just live in the moment and really just use your voice and try to feel what everyone else is feeling at that moment, you want to match the energy. Now, that would also be a good time to connect with, you know, some of the black photographers or photographers of colour who are out there, that's a great way to start meeting people building friendships, starting to build an organic friendships so that way, we can all stand together and move things forward. Um, you know, in this is just, you know, speaking my perspective, my opinion, I just hope that it helps someone what I'm telling you. I'm not saying this is just the right way and the only way. But like, seriously, just just think about your reasons for taking the photo and how you can build friendships outside of the event that's going on at that moment.

Unknown: 18:58

Reflecting on our discussion, I asked Natasha if she thought there would finally be any meaningful change as a result of the uprisings.

Nitashia Johnson: 19:05

I think they will. Because these young people are like, what they are really outspoken. I don't work with them in schools in like, wow, what did I sign up for? But it's also a good thing because they in pushing, they inspire me. I do believe that. If there's not a change, there is no way we can go backwards. Because now it's been it's close. It's open. everyone's eyes are on what's happening currently. So even if we're stuck in the moment, and there's no movement, we can't go backwards. Eventually some change will happen. We have to change we really do I see the work that Danny does, you know with her organisation and you know, the planet the love in our love depends on all human life living on Earth. Like, we really have to make a difference though I do believe that there will be some movement. I just don't know how fast

Unknown: 19:55

given Natasha's commitment to championing mentorship. I asked her if she could share with us what The greatest teaching is that she's ever received.

Nitashia Johnson: 20:03

The greatest teaching that I've ever learned was when you know, older woman in my life that you know, actually helped me when I was a senior in high school. She told me to always have the gift of discernment. And to walk with your head high in an only align yourselves, yourself with those who mean well of you. Because if you spend too much time, giving energy and time to the ones who don't, you can, you can actually draw on yourself. So I would say to always try to you know, just align yourself with good people and always try to match that good energy and if you are not that good energy, please take time to yourself to figure out how you can change that before you hurt anyone else. That is the worst thing you can do in life is hurt anyone else and in the world that we all need to live on and we have to eventually unite hope to save the planet. We need to focus on being nice first before being an asshole to anyone.

Unknown: 21:01

You can follow Natasha's work on Instagram at NITASHIAJOH n s o n that's Natasha Johnson or on her website, Natasha johnson.com. I'm Danny Condit Silva and this has been storytelling for change presented by photographers without borders. Don't forget to follow us on all your favourite podcast platforms so you can be notified of new episodes first. All photographers without borders members also have access to our full visual library of unedited storytelling for change episodes. To become a member head to photographers without borders.org and find us on Instagram or Facebook at photographers without borders. We are incredibly grateful to the indigenous communities who have been protectors of the land and water since time immemorial. And this is your daily reminder to know whose land you stand on.