Reflection.
hair.
it’s that thing that grows out of our heads.
right?
it’s admirable.
it’s magical.
it’s radical.
hell, some of our ancestors reached freedom because of it.
and yet, we’ve been ridiculed for it.
it’s distracting.
it’s unprofessional.
it’s nappy.
it’s different.
but in our eyes it’s beautiful.
it’s kinky.
it’s curly.
it’s loving.
it makes us feel safe.
it holds our fondest memories.
it’s formed our bonds with our mothers and fathers.
our aunties and uncles.
our grandmothers and grandfathers.
our sisters and brothers.
our friends.
those bonds will form before us.
and long after us.
so, no.
it’s not just hair.
it’s what makes being Black so special.
and, no. you can’t touch it.
CLIENT.
Wieden + Kennedy // 2024
TEAM.
AD: Michael Williams
CW: B Michel
Photo: B Michel
Editors: Shay Platz + Saskia Thomson
BLOckhourz.
we still mattter.
In pain and pride, the words were said. When we defied, and mourned our dead. Black Lives Matter. A simple phrase. A phrase that set the world ablaze. Ten years later, post Twitter chatter, After allies scatter, We Still Matter.
Wieden + Kennedy // 2023
TEAM.
Creative Director: Jordan Dinwiddie
Art Director: Benjamin Howard
Copywriter: Shareina Chandler
Head of W+K Production + JOINT: Orlee Tatarka
Senior Producer: Ricara Stokes
Integrated Producer: Zai Outlaw
Creative Operations: Alia Thompson
Design Director: LaShun Tines
Design Producer: Paris Fontes-Michel
Designer: Eric Rogers
Business Affairs: Aliyah Oyamade
Creative Content Services: Zoe Schrepel, Anders Lund, Jasmine Jackson
Director of Photography: Aline Vieitez, Arvie McKenzie
Photography: Briah Michel
Original Music Composed By: David Henry Jr. / Nukbeatz
Editor: CJ Duncan
Assistant Editor: Ian DeVore
Executive Producer: Kathleen Russell
Head of Production: Catherine Liu
Post Producer: Zai Outlaw
Colorist: Jasmine Vazquez
Audio Producer: Louise Woodward
Sound Design / Audio Engineer: Candace Mortier
frozen in time.
school portraits.
some are so damn cute.
some are god awful.
terrible haircuts.
weird stiff poses.
either way, it’s us.
frozen in time.
school portraits while Black meant hiding our kinks, curls + coils.
rocking hand-me-downs.
not feeling confident in our many shades of Black.
school portraits while Queer meant we had to wear dresses when we wanted to wear pants.
and vice versa.
unsure of who we were at the moment.
if we knew.
but right now, we know who we are.
and we look fucking good.
this is us.
frozen in time being exactly who we’re meant to be.
Wieden + Kennedy // 2022
Photography: B Michel
AD + CW: B Michel
QBT PODCAST.
Shot for KEEKS MAG - Volume 1.
Photography: B Michel
Set Designer / Producer: Carlos Valles
Podcast Hosts: Shawn Thomas + Matty Jerms