BLACK AMERICANA

“I love it! He [Brandon Littlejohn] is imaginative, creative and innovative. He is moving the culture forward and protecting it at the same time. Youth; is not always wasted on the young.”

- Gale Fulton Ross on Black Americana

Island in the Sun - behind the scenes photos Models: Tradell...

1987productions — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:09:14 -0500

Island in the Sun - behind the scenes photos

Models: Tradell Hawkins & Titilayo Mutushi

Photo courtesy of Rod Gailes OBC

Help support the Black Americana Series

Island in the Sun - behind the scenes Model: Ngozi Assata Photo...

1987productions — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:47:00 -0400

Island in the Sun - behind the scenes

Model: Ngozi Assata

Photo courtesy of Rod Gailes OBC

Help support the Black Americana Series

HELP SUPPORT THE BLACK AMERICANA SERIES

1987productions — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:24:50 -0400

HELP SUPPORT THE BLACK AMERICANA SERIES

Black Americana in Vogue Italia!

1987productions — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:54:54 -0400

Black Americana in Vogue Italia!

HELP SUPPORT THE BLACK AMERICANA SERIES (CLICK...

1987productions — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:03:00 -0400

HELP SUPPORT THE BLACK AMERICANA SERIES (CLICK HERE)

“BLACK AMERICANA: The Photo-Essay”

Vol. 1 - Island in the Sun

“Black Americana” is a four part photo-essay presenting a commentary on Black American life and patriotism.

When we weren’t marching, dodging fire hoses, and police dogs biting at our brown skin – when we weren’t singing songs of freedom, and training how to peacefully resist in southern sit-ins, we were doing what other Americans did – we went to the beach. “Island in the Sun”, a first installment in the ground-breaking series “Black Americana” re-introduces, and reclaims the image – the representation of free Black women and men living their lives openly and beautifully. The series seeks to offer a broader lens of Black American life not often seen – a restoration of Black bodies on a summer day in 1950’s America. “The beach setting is significant.” says Brandon Littlejohn, Creative Producer of “Black Americana”. “Beaches are visually associated with affluence in urban areas because of Black people’s limited access.” Littlejohn continues, “I wanted to capture Black young women and men in these spaces, because after all, this was a reality for Black people during this time.” This is the other side of the southern Black domestic worker; the other side of the Black male porter. This too was Black American life, in all of its splendor.

- Geneva S. Thomas

Creative Producer - Brandon Littlejohn

Photographer - Rod Gailes OBC

Wardrobe Design - Jamari Walker

Makeup Design - Dominique Jenelle

Hair Design - Shirlonda Brailsford

Casting - Latrice Davis

Women’s Bathing Suits designed by D’ Angelo Scott

Models - (Tope Alabi, Desmond Amofah, Ngozi Assata, Tradell Hawkins, Stephanie Kyereme, Titilayo Mutushi, Robert Vance)

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Creative Producer, Brandon Littlejohn, and Photographer, Rod Gailes OBC, are collaborating to create a brilliant four-part photography series that showcases classic American settings through an Afro-Elite lens. The “Black Americana” series encourages African Americans to challenge societal messages about Blackness, while aspiring to higher levels of art and education on their own terms. Creating opportunities in the creative industry via a collective effort and artistically challenging the way African Americans have been conditioned to see themselves are two main goals of the “Black Americana” series.

-Taylor N. Lewis