Denise Allen

Denise will interview and photograph young African American women who have struggled with mental illness and their mothers, who have gotten their daughters help and supported them on their journey. Denise will create a short documentary film and photo exhibit that will help remove the stigma associated with mental illness in the black community, especially among black women. 

Denise will create a photo exhibit of African American boys, as they are seen through the eyes of their mother. Accompanied by the mother’s written statement as well as one of her parenting strategies, these photos will elevate and honor these young men and also shine a light on their stigmatized existence. Audience members will have the opportunity to participate in the exhibit by sharing their thoughts, fears, and best parenting strategies, which will be hung up at the end of the show. Denise’s hope is that this exhibit will negate stereotypical images of African American young men as portrayed in the media and provide a platform to reshape those images.