Capturing Belief Inc.
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Mission Statement
"To what degree do images observed in life determine the belief in what is possible" - Vision: In a world shaped by imagery, Capturing Belief uses visual storytelling to shatter stereotypes, dismantle biases, and create universal belonging for young people of color. - Mission: Capturing Belief is a grassroots Detroit-based mentoring Lab that mixes experiential learning opportunities in the arts to strengthen visual, written and oral communication skills to improve the wellness of students, their families, and the communities in which they are intended to thrive. Capturing Belief mentors Detroit youth to deepen and broaden their storytelling skills primarily through photography and creative writing, inspiring young minds to embrace their natural curiosity by exploring community while embarking on journeys of self-discovery. - “No one should be able to tell your story better than you.” - Our approach is one of collaboration with people and community organizations who recognize the critical role mentoring plays in uplifting young people. A key component of this, is working with local artists who share their unique and valuable talents with our students, and by honoring them with a living wage. - Capturing Belief is a not for profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Tax ID: 85-3911869
About This Cause
Organizational History Capturing Belief was developed and founded by Detroit Free Press visual journalist Romain Blanquart and Detroit Police Department homicide detective Khary Mason. Homicide and photojournalism seem unlikely partners, but in their respective fields Romain and Khary witnessed the suffering of residents marginalized by systems perpetuating poverty with limited access to opportunities and resources, a broken school system and a racist ideology that kept their mostly Black city from prospering. Young Detroiters start their lives with an unfair disadvantage and in a small way Khary and Romain want to change that by contributing access to quality extracurricular programming to directly guide them toward a healthy, fulfilling and productive future. Khary and Romain understand the power of visual storytelling and believe that narratives are shaped by beliefs and skewed beliefs can be changed by rewriting and sharing truer narratives. Nobody should be able to tell the story of who you are better than you. Capturing Belief uses visual storytelling to shatter stereotypes, dismantle biases, and create universal belonging for people of color. Founded in 20216 Capturing Belief partnered with S.A.Y. Play Detroit who was its fiduciary until 2020 when the organization assembled its own board and obtained its 501(c) 3 status. In its first four years of operation, 125 young people participated in the organization’s bedrock after-school and Summer self-titled program, Capturing Belief. In 2020, with funding from the Ford Motor Company Fund and in partnership with Inside Southwest Detroit, Capturing Belief students started documenting life in the three neighborhood surrounding Michigan Central Station. Halfway through the project the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted in person meetings. The organization’s leaders and teaching artists swiftly restructured the program to ensure success in a virtual environment. Creating an 11-week program, held via Zoom, engaging 18 Detroit youth along with four from Kenya, France and Italy. The students were encouraged to visually capture and write about their lives under confinement at home in the midst of a historic event with eight teaching artists guiding them virtually. Recognizing the need for mental and emotional support participants were given access to resources to help them deal with this most unusual time. The program culminated with an outdoor exhibition of over 200 large-scale photographs printed on vinyl and installed at the former Michigan Central Station. In 2021 with the support of Southwest Housing Solutions Capturing Belief finally moved into their first permanent home! We now have a clean and safe workshop and gallery space that allows our organization to gain stability and strengthen our engagement with the community. At the same time with funds from the Knight Foundation, Capturing Belief developed and delivered a new program: the Space Invaders Artist Residency. Ten Detroit youth of color gained perspective and expanded their knowledge in the crafts of their mentors, all professional artists in printmaking, painting, poetry, podcasting, photography and film-making. Students and mentors met three times a week to learn from each other and create a body of work born from their exchanges. The program culminated with opening and closing exhibitions at our new studio and gallery space in Southwest Detroit where over 200 attendees got a chance to experience the students’ work.