'Heroes' Judge Highlights Vulnerability & Truth

It was a privilege to participate in curation where integrity and human dignity guide our collective purpose. As curating judge for the 'Heroes' Open Call Submissions, I begin by acknowledging the courage it took for everyone to respond to the open call.

View the Heroes! Open Call Finalist Announcement on BlueSky

Each submission reflected a willingness to be visible and heard - an act of vulnerability that 'Heroes' seeks to uplift.

As a creative, living in my truth often feels precarious, as though my lived presence is too easily reduced to spectacle - an experience many recognize but may overlook. To choose a subject so closely tied to one’s authentic identity and origins, and to remain steadfast in that choice, can be a solitary path. In contexts where inauthentic voices can drown out genuine expression, or where objectification replaces thoughtful reverence, maintaining integrity requires unwavering commitment.

My series, BLVCK Stories: Unscripted, and my submitted piece for 'Heroes' represent how I navigate that commitment. Through synthetic media and blockchain, I strive to convey human emotion and lived experience in a way that remains transparent and immutable - essential qualities when we consider the global implications of representation and storytelling. In undertaking this work, I recognize that I am the hero I sought to find; by honoring my own narrative, I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Thank you to all 'Heroes' participants for your bravery and for contributing to conversations that advance connected understanding, human dignity, and considerate expression on a global stage.

For inquiries, please reach out directly through my contact form.