I’ve been watching the movement of Beautiful in Every Shade, brainchild from my friend Carlton Mackey, grow from afar this past year.  As a collaborator to the umbrella project of 50 Shades of Black, I am invested in the vision of everyone knowing how beautiful they are, no matter the hue or shade.  It seems in the United States, now more than ever, that we have to reinforce this concept.  During my time in Brazil, I often thought about how the concept needs reinforcing there as well.  Both countries have been plagued with issues surrounding colorism.  I witnessed the implications of it everyday in Brazil…but I’ll write about that another day.

Instead, I want to share a few images I captured on my final day in the field.  It was a full day.  A final interview, last minute errands, and a meet up with my friend Dara Braddock, a writer, chef, and educator supreme who was in town to visit. I gave her a Beautiful In Every Shade Tee because as an educator she recognizes how important the movement is and then the below happened. I think she attracted this amazing moment into being. You can’t describe the concept of this shirt more beautifully, than a school bus of Brazilian children who just happen to be on a field trip to the beach and are, of course, in love with the camera and Miss Braddock.  Enjoy!