This piece showcases different ethnicities and highlights their culture. I hope to show people that regardless of your ethnicity, you’re not alone, and we are all in this together. I didn’t want to focus specifically on clothes, but instead on the spirit of the culture –  how they celebrate, how they pay respects to those who have passed, and what traditions they follow.

For example, Hispanics have a celebration called Day of the Dead, conversely, Native Americans call upon their ancestors to celebrate the ones who have passed on. Additionally, many African Americans celebrate not only their own culture, but other cultures in which they have found an identity. For example, some African Americans cherish Japanese culture and anime. An African-American friend of mine brought his katana and wore traditional Japanese garb for our shoot. He also explained some of the history that he studied. I was surprised to see how knowledgeable and immersed he was – it gave me a new appreciation for individuals who celebrate other cultures while remaining true to themselves.

People who are looking at these pictures and are curious about these cultures or interested in learning more, my advice is: start studying. Reach out to friends with different backgrounds, visit a place of worship for a religion different from yours, lean into social media, consider traveling to a place you are curious about to get more from the source. Read books or visit community centers or towns/neighborhoods that lend themselves to a specific culture, visit restaurants – food is a great way to learn about different cultures. Just start, and have an open mind; it’s a great way to avoid putting people into stereotypes and to start breaking down preconceived notions you may have about a culture. Your exploration is your key to understanding that everyone has a place, and although the ways we may communicate may be different, everyone deserves to be celebrated.

If you see something that is different, be curious, ask questions and keep an open mind.