The How & Why

Weaving is the result of a semester long endeavor which allowed me to immerse myself in the High Point community. This project began with a goal- to photograph immigrants in the High Point community for a show at the High Point Museum as part of a service learning course taught by Benita VanWinkle. My classmates and I would do this together, while teaching ESL students from the community how to take photographs on their phones. However on January 20th, 2017 Donald Trump became president and for many immigrants life changed. The ESL students that we were supposed to be teaching, and photographing, were no longer in attending their ESL classes. Instead, we were forced to go out and find our own subjects. 

It all began with Abu-my first interviewee, the owner of Abu Rugs and Home in Jamestown, NC (right outside High Point). I had planned to spend a few hours taking Abu's photograph and get some photos for the museum. However as we began talking about his life the author in me was drawn to his story. We spent hours that day talking and sifting through his old photographs as I jotted down notes. 

I left Abu's office inspired and bursting with stories that deserved a platform. As I continued to meet various business owners, refugees, and community members throughout High Point I knew I needed to share their stories, but I didn't know how. 

I had plans to attend the NC College Media Association's annual conference at Elon and my mentor, Dr. Charmaine Cadeau, encouraged me to apply for their newest grant: a $250 Student Media Stipend. I applied, outlining the work I had done and my hopes for the project. The faith of the NC College Media Association, in choosing to award me with this stipend, allowed me to produce Weaving. 

My work on this project lead me to being awarded High Point University's 2017 Service Learning Student of the Year. 

Our service learning class was recognized by SGA and High Point University as the Best Student Group of 2017 for the "See Me: Looking with In(ten)tion project".