Making a documentary is a much more difficult task than I previously assumed but it is something I now wish to explore deeper. Filming “How Did We Get Here” was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and quite frankly, not because of the chance to have a premiere on campus, but for the chance to explore. Kaleb Davis, a very close friend of mine, is an aspiring filmmaker, and has consistently pushed me to keep exploring my craft as a photographer and artist and not lose that touch. I will forever be grateful for that.
Additionally, considering my life at that point, I had a well enough developed knowledge of housing in the United States and, specifically, how it has been impacted by the racial wealth gap and gentrification. For the past three summers I have worked at the Trenton Housing Authority in my hometown, Trenton, New Jersey. That work experience has been life changing for my own personal growth and has helped shape my future goals for after college.
The way the idea came about was quite random, yet perfect. Both Kaleb and I were aware of the BLI Social Justice and Equity Project grant and ironically, through a random facetime we talked of making some sort of digital media project together. So, it was only right. Our facetime calls were practically daily because both of us were at home and not enrolled for the spring semester, so the boredom was REAL. In that boredom I would often fuss about something random and one day it happened after a day working at the housing authority and Kaleb perhaps caught a spark. Our brains started running like well-oiled machines and we instantly had a vision within a matter of two weeks.
The next step was the research, sightseeing, scheduling, and overall planning process. Or, in other words: NOT fun. But it was necessary. The fun part came around summer of 2021 when we were finally able to begin the film process. For ten days we traveled around Trenton, Philadelphia, and New York filming visuals of the cities and interviewing various people within the communities; all of which I knew. In doing this, I learned a lot about myself and where I come from.
It was a process that further put my life into perspective. It was an experience that enabled me to check my own economic privilege, especially within the black community. Speaking with people of ranging social classes, it is refreshing to hear differing experiences and opinions. I have every reason to be grateful for what I have and what has been given to me.