Meet NIGERIAN-AMERICAN Photojournalist Nitashia Johnson
IMAGES BY NITASHIA JOHNSON
WORDS BY NEHAA BIMAL
EDITED BY TAMARA BLAZQUEZ HAIK
Self-portrait of Nitashia Johnson.
Nitashia Johnson is a Nigerian-American, multimedia artist and educator from Dallas, Texas and one of our 2023 Revolutionary Storyteller Grantees. Her documentation project, titled "The Faces That Face," showcases the beauty of her West Dallas community, and the impactful work done by Singleton United/Unidos—”an empowering group dedicated to raising awareness about pollution risks in the community.” This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center and Diversify Photo through the Eyewitness Photojournalism Grant.
As a photojournalist and artist, Nitashia’s projects, such as the photographic book series The Self Publication and The Beauty of South Dallas, dismantle stereotypes placed on those in the Black community and tell the stories of historical neighbourhoods.
In her behind-the-scenes interview with us, Nitashia shares more about her latest work in highlighting environmental spaces, communities and individuals.
Image by Nitashia Johnson.
What message do you hope viewers will receive from your virtual exhibit “Welcome to West Dallas?”
I really hope that they can take away the importance of empathy and sympathy when dealing with environmental injustices and realize by just looking at the faces in the exhibit and in this project, that there are people who are truly working hard to support others and who care about the world. I want viewers to really understand that when climate injustice is happening to a community—especially Black and brown communities, it might seem like it is contained in that one neighbourhood. But that’s not the case and there are ripple effects. If we don't pay attention to the wrongdoings in the world, it will eventually cost us. I just really want people to see themselves in the shoes of others because it's important. That's the only way you can truly stand for something and make change. My work aims to honor from the internal gaze.
Image by Nitashia Johnson.
“When you see people fighting for a good cause, it gives you hope.”
Can you share your own personal history with West Dallas and what that community means to you?
West Dallas holds some of my very first memories. That's the very first location where I really became who I was. To have grown up as a kid that didn't have much in that community and to still find joy in the little things there, that's why it's very important for me to work with great leaders like Janie Cisneros, the founder of Singleton United/Unidos, who grew up in West Dallas. The work she’s doing is inspiring because she's using her voice and her energy to make a difference. The fact that they are a small but mighty organization supporting people, showing up and never giving up is inspiring in itself.
Portrait of Janie Cisneros, founder of Singleton United/Unidos. Image by Nitashia Johnson.
When you see people fighting for a good cause, it gives you hope. We cannot let the bad win. I never want to create dramatic images for the sake of just showing them. I feel that showing people at their lowest for gain is hurtful, people’s lives are not entertainment, this is real. My work is meant to help not hurt, and I stand on that. I want to show the people of West Dallas as beautiful as they are and show the world what is affecting them. Knowing that I care about the environment and I care about people a lot, it's important for me to use my work to save home too.
As a freelance journalist, you have mentioned how photojournalism allows you to step inside the shoes of others, seeing the world from different perspectives. Can you share more?
Perspective is very important in highlighting these communities, because it really shows the nature of people and just how beautiful the people are. And this is not an external gaze meant to be exploitative but more of a collaboration with participants in these projects. I know how important it is to see myself and my people represented in ways that are uplifting.
My goal—no matter what—is to shine a light on people who have been suppressed and oppressed. Perspective is everything because the youth are watching. If they can see the important work that leaders in communities are doing, then I'm going to be the one to help expose that visually.
Image by Nitashia Johnson.
Where did your interest in highlighting stories of environmental injustice come from?
I love nature, I love Earth, it's beautiful. We can't all help that we were born into a generation full of things that could be harmful to the environment. Understanding that reality and trying to find ways in which I can help raise awareness to environmental issues and its history has always been embedded in me and I don't want to lose that passion to help people. You want to stand for something.
“My goal—no matter what—is to shine a light on people who have been suppressed and oppressed. Perspective is everything because the youth are watching. If they can see the important work that leaders in communities are doing, then I’m going to be the one to help expose that visually. ”
Your stories indicate a deep trust with your collaborations. How do you build relationships that serve the story?
My goal for a project has never been to get the photos and leave. The creative process is important to me because I'm connecting with people, we're transferring energy. I've heard so many stories and met some beautiful people out there. My work is done from an internal gaze, and I'm careful with how I showcase the community because I don't want it to be exploitative at all. I want them to look back and be like, “You know what, I made it through that struggle” or look at themselves and see how strong they are. It's not just about making a photo. I could have a photo session that is scheduled to last an hour, but we're speaking for three to four hours.
These people are blessing me with their wisdom and knowledge of the world and my only gift to them is to at least show them in a beautiful light. I want to make sure that years from now, when none of us are around, that the images I leave behind represent people in a beautiful light, the light inside of them.
Portrait of Ms. Verna Childress. Image by Nitashia Johnson.
Can you share how the experience of being a Revolutionary Storyteller Grant recipient has supported you on this project and as a visual storyteller?
When opportunities like this happen, they can allow you to expand on your work and shine a light on things that you are passionate about which you probably couldn't do otherwise. It’s been great to be honoured as a storyteller and I just love the community. PWB was very supportive in giving me this opportunity and with the funding, I was able to also support the people that Janie helped connect me with and the residents I met when I was just walking the neighbourhood. I'm really thankful because everyone needs love and support out here.
My advice to anyone who is reading this, you always want to think about how you want to operate when you walk outside of your door. You can either be a positive force or a negative force. When you're positive, you build a legacy and you really meet the people that you're supposed to have in your corner. That's how you build community. And that's how you build the resilience and the strength to work with others in this world to stand up for what you believe in.
“I want to make sure that years from now, when none of us are around, that the images I leave behind represent people in a beautiful light, the light inside of them.”
Portrait of Rosa Cisneros. Image by Nitashia Johnson.
This story was created with the support of Aesop and our Revolutionary Storyteller Grant (2024 applications now open). Support Singleton United by visiting their LinkTree
To learn more about Nitashia’s work, visit her webiste.
