What’s a Saturday night without a phenomenal photo exhibition, good vibes, and engaging moments? Sankofa: Lifting As I Climb by Chelsea Reeves proved that an exhibition can indeed be rooted in community and serve as a powerful reflection of the stories, experiences, and legacies that shape it.
On Oct. 24, creatives, cultural leaders and entrepreneurs alike came together to honor the true meaning of community at Reeves’ NYC exhibition, in partnership with 16 Black-owned brands and creators including Harlem Fine Arts Show and Harlem CLX.
Reeves and her partners came together to create an immersive moment where Black joy and creativity are celebrated with photography, fashion, music and live art.
Reeves, 24, explained to The Knockturnal that the term “Sankofa” is a Ghanaian principle that means “go back and get it”. She further discussed what the term meant to her saying, “it represents moving forward by honoring where you’ve been.”
The Newark native and Syracuse University alumna reflected on her humble beginnings when she found her passion for photography. She told The Knockturnal, “I picked up my camera when I attended my first Syracuse event on campus. I was a junior around that time. And the camera was actually a gift that was given to me when I was a high school graduate.”
“I graduated during COVID. It was in the middle of the pandemic, in the thick of everything. My graduation got canceled, my prom got canceled, all the things. So the camera that was gifted to me, I kind of just forgot about it.” Reeves continued, “Until one day I was looking through my things and I’m like, ‘I never use this camera’. So I literally just picked up the camera, took it to the Syracuse event, started grabbing photos of everybody. And once I showed them, they were overly excited. They were like, ‘Whoa, those came out so good.’ They were like, ‘take some more.'”
“I think I stopped taking it as a hobby as soon as people started booking me for real. And I don’t even think I really got a chance to do it as a hobby.” She said, “I really think that was God, that it happened so fast right before my eyes.”
Fast forward four years later, Reeves held her first NYC exhibition, showcasing some of her most recognized photographs while emphasizing the importance of community and the connections that bring cultural leaders together.
Photo Courtesy: Latrell Cleary
The trailblazing photographer emphasized the importance of what community and Black joy mean to her. Discussing her most recognized photos, she told The Knockturnal, “People resonated with them a lot because it’s just unorthodox. You just don’t see that typically. It was a representation of us, of our culture. And I think that’s why people love it so much.”
“I’ve gotten this feedback: when people see my photography work, it’s like, you’re not posing these subjects, they’re just there. So, like I said to my point earlier, I’m just capturing what is, as a documentarian.” Reeves explained, “That’s really us. That’s really our history, our story, capturing Black joy, Black resistance.”
She continued, “Black joy literally is a form of resistance as well. So just having those photos captured through my lens, I think that helps highlight us, and the importance of maintaining our joy even in the midst of all the chaos in the world.”
Photo Courtesy: Latrell Cleary
Reeves’ intentionality in bringing community together was spotlighted during her event with activations including a Polaroid wall by Joshua Brown, a chess activation by ChessNeverCheckers, photo booth by Picture Perfect Photoz, drinks from Sensori and Brooklyn Tea, and much more. Partners also included Whitney the Artist, Walk & Talk With Curt, Golden Crust (Newburg, NY), Hella Inspired, Really Tuft, Signature Scents By Hand, Carded by Kaia, One Fragrance, Unami Skincare, and Pholk Beauty.
Photo Courtesy: Latrell Cleary
“I wanted to make sure that it was an immersive experience so that everyone felt recognized and that they felt like they had a position in the event itself,” she said.
As Reeves reflected on the success of the event, she told The Knockturnal, “This is definitely only the beginning.”
“I think it’s important for me to keep curating these spaces and being a good steward of the gift that God gave me, so that everybody can be blessed. Because my blessings aren’t just about me. My blessings are attached to other people. And I always say, I measure my success by how many people I bless.”
When asked what advice she’d give to young photographers looking to document their communities, Reeves offered words of encouragement: “The world is waiting on you. No one else is in your way but you.”
“Literally just pick up your camera and go out and do something that you love.”
Supporters can expect more from Reeves, as she teased, “Stay tuned for the next project, because it’s coming soon.”
As a visual storyteller documenting the people and communities around her, Reeves looks forward to the next chapter of her growing career. As she told The Knockturnal, “I’m going to keep getting bigger and better, evolving as a photographer, as a creative, as an entrepreneur, a culture connector.”
She emphasized, “I’m going to continue to curate these spaces and these types of events, to have people in one space and to bring everyone that’s in my community together, but also welcome in new faces, people who may not know what’s next for them, so that attending my event gives them the clarity that they need.”
Supporters of Reeves’ photography can follow her on Instagram @chelseaareeves to keep up with her latest work and future projects, and look out for her upcoming newsletter for updates on her creative journey and events.
