US Portrait Series

Every human being has a story to be told.

Every human deserves to be heard.

As the world has been shaken to the core the past few months we have learned some of the hardest lessons.

We learned to be compassionate towards those that are vulnerable and sacrifice our creature comforts to give them life.

We learned to reach out and spread hope and joy to people we don’t even know.

Then we learned that we had been silent far too long.

We saw lives that had been overlooked and the cries that had been ignored.

We sat with this pain and realized we are all responsible for change.

Let’s celebrate our differences and respect one another.

It’s time to extend our hearts to our brothers and sisters.

It’s time to fight for the oppressed.

It’s time to break generational curses of hate.

It’s time to RISE UP.

The world needs US right now.

This series is meant to invite you in to another person's life for a moment. See their STRENGTH. See their BEAUTY. See their COURAGE. Listen to what they have to say. Find compassion for people who may not look, think or share the same faith as you.

We're better together.

ZON'TREY

Kim: Do you feel like you have a voice? How can you use your voice to empower those that don’t?

Zon’Trey: “I love the question of whether or not I feel as if I have a voice. In the simplest way of putting it... Yes, I have a voice. But I believe that the greater question is, can my voice be heard? Does it strike the same sense of urgency and call for action as my white brothers and sisters when they call for help? It shouts for the same freedom, same rights, same love, same fair chance as my brothers and sisters that don’t look like me but our cries and screams don’t seem to ring as loud in the ears of those who sign the bills, pass the laws, create the movies, and assign the academic curriculums. It’s been that way for generations now.

Earlier in the passage I gauged the question “can my voice be heard?” And truth be told, it can. Maybe not by the upper level officials or the POTUS but my God can hear me well (Psalms 116:1) My God can hear me petition and advocate on the behalf of my people and for this world. For change. For peace. For strength. For equality. For justice. And within that, His Holy Spirit moves on the behalf of His children; opening the eyes of the blind, empowering and giving words to those who hold platforms for His name (big or small), changing hearts and mindset of those who have become enemies to His perfected creation.

God gave me a voice to lift up prayers, encourage, inspire, rebuke, worship, and empower. We ALL have a voice... how we use it is the key. Let us use it to build up our neighbor, to make people smile, to speak life into those who’ve lost hope and sight for the things of God, to pray for those who can’t find the words for themselves. Til my final day, may my voice always promote unity and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. CHANGE WILL COME. “

CHRIS, ALLISON & ELIJAH

“Dear Elijah Zeal,

Our beautiful brown son. We pray that you find within yourself the freedom and the courage to deeply love the things about you that make you different - the very things that we love so dearly. We pray that you always walk with a zeal for God, a zeal for others, and a zeal for who you were created to be. We pray that you bring the joy of the Lord with you wherever you go, as you have always done with that million dollar smile.

We pray that you always speak up, stand up, shine bright, and advocate for the cause of Christ and for what’s right. We pray that you always hear the unheard, help the needy, and care for the hurting. When struggle hits you, we hope you know we’re here for you. When people oppose you, we hope you know we’re crazy about you. When failure finds you, we hope you know we’re proud of you. When others are against you, we hope you know we’re in your corner. When you’re afraid, insecure, unsure, or confused, we hope you find us a safe place.

Rise up, our Little One. Be strong and courageous. The future in front of you is vast. The possibilities are endless. Even our wildest dreams can’t imagine the plans that God has in store for you. So shoot for the stars, chase after every dream, and always be true to yourself. You matter, your story matters. We love you deeply. We celebrate you daily. It’s our greatest privilege, our highest honor, and our ultimate joy to call you son.

With Everything,

Mom and Dad"

ANNA

Kim: "Share your thoughts on how you developed a diverse group of friends. Why is that important?"

Anna: “I honestly did not have a very diverse group of friends at all until high school. It wasn’t until I started building relationships with people who looked, thought, and even believed differently than me that I was able to even begin to understand the life experiences of those close friends and the beauty in all of our differences.

Now, my view of people as a whole has expanded immensely. I have so far to go as I continue to listen to people and educate myself as much as I can but I’m beyond thankful for the people I have that help me grow and become better.”

AHMAD, MAGEN & CAMILA

“Camila, Looking at you, my precious daughter, I know that you’re going to move mountains and change this world. As crazy as it is today, I know without a doubt, you won’t let anyone and anything change who you are. Stay strong and fiery my love. Your mami and Papi love you so much punkin. We are behind you and empowering you every step of the way!”

CAMILLE

"STRONG, BLACK WOMAN

What do you think of when you hear that phrase? A woman who has had to overcome impossible obstacles without breaking? A woman who doesn’t let their emotions show in areas of struggle? A woman who can handle whatever life throws at her by any means necessary?

Well then I guess I’m not a strong, Black woman.

If you let culture or the media tell it, we can’t appear broken, anxious or vulnerable and that’s detrimental. We too need safe spaces where we can express emotions and heal. The pain and injustices of my ancestors combined with the judgment and of empathy in others in the last few weeks have hurt me to the core. I’ve cried out to Jesus in ways I never had before.

I’ve had to surrender.

I’ve had to surrender that I can’t change a mind that doesn’t want to be changed.

I’ve had to surrender thoughts and actions that would be damaging to my livelihood, spirit, and mental health.

I’ve had to surrender my fears, rage, and doubt.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and surrendering those things helps me be a better wife, mother, teacher, and friend.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

If Jesus is my strength, then I guess I am a strong, Black woman."

JACQUISE

"Letter to my Black and Brown Brothers and Sisters

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I want you to know that this WORLD is yours, your FATHER built it. Your FATHER created all mankind alike, in HIS own image, male and female. Your FATHER didn’t make you less than or halfway because of the dark pigment of your skin. See your FATHER knew you before you were even formed in your Mother’s womb, he set you apart for such a time as this. For your voices to be heard and your identity to not be dictated by how the WORLD views you but how the FATHER views you. You are a chosen people my beautiful colored folk, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s SPECIAL possession. He called you out of darkness, not the color of your skin darkness, but the darkness of sin, so that even our dark tones can be beacons of light to change the world.

You are the FATHER’s SPECIAL handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do HIS good works, which your FATHER already prepared in advance for YOU to do.

Don’t allow people to identify YOU by the color of your skin and the history of your people’s past. YOU have been raised new in CHRIST. Since we are raised with HIM, we don’t set our hearts on the brutality, racism, segregation, systemic plots, or ugly faces we receive when we try to speak to others. We set our hearts on Heavenly Things, this is not your home and your FATHER wants you to know this. Set our minds on things above for your earthly life is In CHRIST. When CHRIST returns, you will return with HIM in GLORY as well.

So I Declare that you are STRONG like a fortified city that cannot be captured. You are the HEAD and not the TAIL, ABOVE and never BENEATH any race, ethnicity, or genre of people. YOU are more than just conquerors of slavery and mistreatment, YOU are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made, your WORKS are wonderful. Your hair, skin, features, culture, attitude, bodies, creativity, ancestors, families, and melanin are all WONDERFULLY made. That’s not even the best parts about YOU. The best part is that YOU are adopted into GOD’s FAMILY, YOU are a CO-HEIR to the throne of CHRIST, and then the COLOR and amazement of your earthly bodies define you.

I LOVE you all, and I want YOU to LOVE YOU as well. RISE UP my BEAUTIFUL Melanin-filled brothers and sisters and walk in the WORD and true POWER of the SPIRIT that your FATHER gave to YOU just as he gave to everyone else. These are OUR FATHER’S WORDS and not mine.

PS: The best thing about this statement is, this applies to all of GODS children. Pro BLACK and BROWN is not anti any other race. Amen 🙏🏾 “

-Jacquise

PARIS

“I learned to be more compassionate when I started working in customer service. I’ve worked at a shoe store, furniture store, rental car company and a loan company. Things that I have experienced will blow others mind! I found myself being ungrateful for a lot of things. Some people wish they lived my life on my bad day! Mother’s who couldn’t provide for their children & men trying to provide for their families. People who have cancer or even more serious conditions that have to get up every day & be strong. I can barely handle having a common cold so I have so much love for people it’s unreal. You never know how you can make someones day, I prayed everyday that when people come in contact with me that my energy jumps onto them to have a good day! I always tell the Lord, “ Lord I don’t want them to see Paris, I want them to see YOU!” I love making others day, despite what they look like! Everyone deserves to be HAPPY & LOVED!”

CHASE

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"What does it mean to be strong and courageous? People seem to think that being strong means having a sense of arrogance or them promoting themselves and courage means puffing themselves up.

I think it means STANDING TALL and boldly in your obedience to God. In any situation, we must do the right thing for all our brothers and sisters and love one another with strength and courage even if it's not what makes you popular or "cool"."

CEDRIC, CIARA CHASE & CARSYN

"Dear Chase & Carsyn

We have loved you since the day we laid eyes on you. You are loving, kind, considerate, well-mannered, even tempered human beings. You both have taught us so much about life, love, sacrifice and your lives have stretched us into becoming the parents we were meant to be. We thank God for giving us a reason to pray bigger and bolder prayers. We ask God for only pure encounters in your life. Continue to let your lights shine for we know God is preparing you for something great. Your lives matter so much to us!!! We love you "forever much"!!! ❤Mom & Dad"