Case Study 7
WHAT’S GOING ON?
Community Storytelling / Documentary Photography / Cultural Writing
CLIENT: ArtPlace America (Commissioned Contribution)
SERVICES PROVIDED
Documentary Photography
Cultural Storytelling
Creative Writing / Poetry
Editorial Narrative Development
Community Documentation
Social Impact Media
SERVICES PROVIDED
“What’s Going On?” was a documentary photo essay created during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide protests following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
The project documented the emotional and cultural impact these events had on Black communities in Boston — particularly among youth, families, athletes, and residents navigating isolation, grief, disrupted community life, and questions surrounding justice, identity, and survival.
Commissioned through ArtPlace America as part of a storytelling initiative highlighting community voices, the project combined documentary photography with original poetry and written reflection rooted in lived experience and cultural observation.
Rather than approaching the moment strictly as news coverage, the work focused on preserving emotional truth, community atmosphere, and the unseen psychological effects of public crisis on everyday life.
CREATIVE DIRECTION & STORYTELLING APPROACH
The visual and written direction was heavily influenced by John Kind’s background in hip-hop, spoken word, and community-rooted storytelling.
Photography was paired with poetic narrative to explore themes including:
• Youth isolation during COVID-19
• The removal of communal gathering spaces
• Black identity and survival
• Protest and collective grief
• Basketball culture and public recreation
• Generational uncertainty
• Hope, resistance, and emotional resilience
The project intentionally balanced documentary realism with artistic interpretation to create a more emotionally immersive experience.
Several written sections explored how public spaces such as playgrounds and basketball courts function as cultural lifelines within urban communities — particularly for Black youth growing up during a period of social distancing, restricted movement, and heightened racial tension.
Additional sections directly addressed the emotional aftermath of George Floyd’s death and the national reckoning surrounding systemic racism and public protest.
IMPACT & OUTCOME
The completed work was published through ArtPlace America’s editorial and social media platforms as part of a broader public storytelling initiative centered around community experience during 2020.
The project demonstrated the ability of documentary media to:
• Preserve community memory
• Humanize social issues through storytelling
• Connect emotional narrative with visual documentation
• Create culturally grounded educational media
• Support mission-driven communication initiatives
The work also established an early foundation for John Kind Studios’ approach to story-driven media production focused on authenticity, cultural perspective, and emotionally resonant visual communication.
KEY TAKEAWAY
“What’s Going On?” represents more than a photo series — it reflects a model of community-centered storytelling where photography, writing, culture, and lived experience work together to document moments that traditional media often struggles to capture fully.
The project reinforced the value of emotionally intelligent storytelling for nonprofits, arts organizations, educational initiatives, and mission-driven institutions seeking deeper audience connection through authentic media.
