Through the Lens/ My Lens, My Voice Photo Project from The Dream Center and The HOPE Center

First Corinthian Baptist Church
Harlem, NY

First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, NY created a 10-week photography project called My Lens/My Voice where participants used photography to deal with trauma and pain. In a 10-week course, students learned the fundamentals of photography.

FCBC also had a mental health clinician who then taught mindfulness techniques at the beginning of each class and was on site for those who wanted further mental health service.

The leaders of the project reflected on the project’s impact:

We learned that we are resilient and innovative. This was our first class after the pandemic, and we were not sure anyone would want to be in the building…we had a full class of 18 that committed to the full 10 weeks.

One student who works at a school got her principal to agree to start a youth photography club at her school and buy all the equipment. That same student bought her own camera and began to sell her own work.

Description of Project Video
Video of the student photography show in Dec. 2021