BECOMING BRAVE
Becoming Brave offers a Christian framework for addressing systemic injustice through the biblical narrative of Esther. Dr. Brenda challenges Christians to be everyday activists, becoming brave as they seek justice in their own spheres of influence.
As Dr. Brenda told me about her book, she shared that she found herself identifying strongly with Esther. She saw her own story in Esther’s story of rising up and speaking truth to power. She had spent years appeasing a white evangelical church and felt that it was time to be brave and rise up. After hearing that her book was more of a memoir, I knew that I wanted to capture her story as it relates to Esther’s story.
For this project I recruited the help of a local photographer, Brandon Hill. I directed the photoshoot to help capture the strength, courage, and resilience of both Esther and Dr. Brenda. The opaque veil represents a veil of Whiteness that had covered Dr. Brenda for much of her life–She had never been free to unveil all of herself. The cut out for the eye represents the catalytic moment of breaking free and becoming brave.
The layout of typography was done by Faceout Studio.
After the cover was finalized, Dr. Brenda asked me to continue on with the art direction of the promotional book trailer. I directed a local dancer, Theresita Richard, as she danced with the veil. The beginning movements in the dance are slow and limited in their expression. As the dynamics build, Theresita enters the catalytic moment of struggle. The remainder of the dance is her fullest expression unveiled.
Creative Direction / Art Direction: Matt Lewis
Photography: Brandon Hill
Video Production: Baron Visuals
Graphic Design: Faceout Studio
Dance: Theresita Richard