Aye, I’m Jay.

Non-profit Initiative | Personal Project

RLENTLSS is a not-for-profit initiative aimed at cultivating exceptional creative environments around the world, but not just for anybody… We want to develop highly customized workshops for groups of people who typically don’t get to tell their story. We’re here to change the stories we’re told by changing the storytellers.

This is an idea that presented itself to me in 2018, but damn there are some incredible people supporting this initiative. See them here.

Documentary

The Force of Water follows two communities situated along the equator organizing to bring clean freshwater to taps in their homes. Will small communities along the Río Cayapas in Ecuador accept and build a system the same way as their global neighbors in Uganda? What hopes do these communities have for government intervention in their water systems? What forces are at play?

Directed by Nathan Johnson. Co-produced by Mica Miro and me.

Multimedia | Personal Project

As Masika dives into her complicated relationship with water, she learns to swim. As she learns to swim, she navigates the deepness of herself. Masika Learns To Swim is a multimedia project that will become a 6-part audio series, short documentary, and IRL immersive experience.

The creative team includes Charity May, Nico Giles, Jen Zuckerman, Rebecca Arguello, Keenan Dailey, me, and, of course, Masika Henson.

Documentary | Personal Project

When It Calls follows a group of young Lakota Americans as they explore what it’s like to receive a call to go home, as well as the responsibilities of answering that call.

Co-directed & co-produced by Kris Teȟilapi’maniwìn Waln & me.

Community

RCV is an ambitious attempt to turn an abandoned elementary school in Southwest Atlanta into a launchpad for creative talent. We broke ground in June 2023.

I’m a team member on this project led by Jay Jackson.

Documentary

Hosted by Masika Henson. Directed by Nathan Johnson, and co-produced by Masika and me.

Podcast • Photography | Personal Project

Financial and logistical support from my partners at RED. Sound design by Vox Bridge. Directed and produced by me.

Listen to the podcast here.

Video

Directed by Nathan Johnson, shot and edited by Craig Richard and Betty Jones. Written and produced by me.

Docuseries

Hosted by Adam Miller. Executive produced and directed by Nico Giles, produced by Nathan Johnson, and associate produced by me.

Event

AVL by Kagan Entertainment. Co-created by Gideon’s Promise staff and volunteers, Nico Giles, Ebony Willis, and me.

Video • Workshop

Shot and edited by Kevin Berg at Mark Serrano’s studio. Co-written by Na’im Al-Amin and me. Directed and produced by me.

—

Since we filmed this, my friend (and narrator in the story) has been charged with homicide. With that reality in mind, I still stand by this work.

Campaign Strategy

While I was seen as one of the “professionals” in the room (or on Zoom), I learned more from this project than I contributed. I guess you could consider me “host of long strategy conversations” with members of the team.

Video Podcast

Shot by lots of people, directed by Nico Giles, and co-produced by Nico and me (but mostly Nico!).

Limited Series

Shot and edited by Rob Fiz, produced by Nico, and directed by me.

Photography • Video

Shot (usually) by Esai Saenz, directed by Nathan Johnson, and photographed by me.

Community | Personal Project

Deep gratitude to the volunteers who helped organize, educate, and register voters with criminal records: Katherine Hambrick, Zach Linhares, Na’im Al-Amin, and Angelica Chavez-Duckworth.

Campaign

Shot by Itzel Sanchez, designed by Suhey Campos, and directed and produced by me.