Black Legacy Series
Role: Creative Director
The Black Legacy Series is a social media project that features photos & videos of 14 LGBTQ people from multiple disciplines whose work is the legacy of a historical figure. We reimagined iconic photos of historical figures and shot 60 second interviews about how that figure’s legacy lives on through the work of the featured subjects.
Sponsored by Mastercard
Episode 1: Roya Marsh
Episode 1 takes a look at the impact Audre Lorde has had on Bronx native Roya Marsh. Roya Marsh is a nationally-recognized poet, performer, educator, and activist. She is the Poet in Residence at Urban Word NYC and works feverishly toward LGBTQIA justice and dismantling white supremacy.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 2: Twiggy Pucci Garcon
Episode 2 takes a look at the impact the legendary ballroom figure, Willi Ninja has had on Twiggy Pucci Garcon. Twiggy is an activist, advocate, and healer. She has collaborated with artists, filmmakers, academics and policymakers to increase visibility of both creative and sociopolitical agendas.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 3: Torrian Baskerville
Episode 3 takes a look at the impact Bayard Rustin has had on advocate, Torrian L. Baskerville. Torrian is an unapologetic Black Queer advocate, activist and agent of change. He has a deep love for social service and an unwavering drive to reduce health disparities, increase visibility and improve health outcomes for marginalized populations; especially youth and young adults, persons living with HIV, and Black and Latinx men who have sex with men.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 4: Anthony Wayne
Episode 4 takes a look at the mighty real impact Sylvester has had on performer Anthony Wayne. Anthony is a producer, writer, and actor. He is working on bringing his show "Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical” to Broadway.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 5: Jari Jones
Episode 5 takes a look at the impact of Marsha P. Johnson has had on actress, Jari Jones. Jari is a Black Transgender actress, curve model, activist and creative.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 6: Danielle Cooper
Episode 6 takes a look at the impact Stormé Delarverie has had on Danielle Cooper. Danielle is a creative, actor, and activist. In 2014, Danielle launched “She’s a Gent,” a blog that celebrates and explores personal style while also using it as a tool to bring awareness to QPOC (queer people of color) and androgynous women in menswear.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 7: Guy Anthony
Episode 6 takes a look at the impact American jazz composer Billy Strayhorn has had on musician Guy Anthony.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 8: George M. Johnson
Episode 8 takes a look at the impact James Baldwin has had on George M. Johnson. George is an Award-Winning Writer and Author in the NYC area. They are the Indie Bestselling author of “All Boys Aren’t Blue”, a memoir manifesto discussing their young adult experience growing up Black and Queer.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 9: Mila Jam
Episode 9 takes a look at the impact the great Josephine Baker has had on Mila Jam. Mila fills every room with talent, personality and undeniable style. She is a pop Recording Artivist and creator of the viral campaign ‘Stopkillingus.’
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 10: Nyx Nocturne
Episode 10 looks at the impact Gladys Bentley has had on Nyx Nocturne. Nyx Nocturne is a multidisciplinary artist who uses their body to explore gender-fluidity and desirability politics through drag and burlesque.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 11: Raquel Willis
Episode 11 takes a look at how the late Monica Roberts has influenced Raquel Willis. Raquel is a Black transgender activist, writer, and media strategist dedicated to elevating the dignity of marginalized people, particularly Black transgender people.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 12: Carmen Neely
Episode 12 looks at how Barbara Jordan has impacted Carmen Neely. Carmen Neely is the co-founder and president of Harlem Pride. She is a Co-chair of the LGBTQ Committee of the NAACP, Mid-Manhattan Branch
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 13: Harmonica Sunbeam
Episode 13 looks at how Moms Mabley has impacted Harmonica Sunbeam. Harmonica has been delighting audiences at nightclubs, cabarets, fundraising events and supermarket openings throughout the United States and abroad for over 29 years. She is the North Jersey coordinator of Drag Queen Story Hour.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
Episode 14: Lee Daniels
Episode 14 looks at the impact Marlon Riggs has had on Academy nominated filmmaker, Lee Daniels.
Photography: LaQuann Dawson
