Currently, the following youth are documentary subjects. In some instances, footage will be used for the interactive website.
Roslaee, 18, a recent graduate of Lakeview High School. Rosalee will be the first person in her family to attend college. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle twelve years ago when her mother was unable to care for her. Rosie lives with her 7 brothers and sisters.
Carter, 16, was adopted by two African American gay men when he was 10. As the oldest of eight children he was bounced around in foster care for several years. He dispels the stereotype about adopting older children and the ability to have an impact on children of this age. He was just made captain of his football team and is an honors student. His junior year in high school promises to be filled with the joy of self discovery and a future that has been supported with love and encouragement from his parents.
In one recent clip, Carter talks about being harassed by the police when he was quite clearly just playing basketball. In almost every instance in early interviews, all, except two youth, stated they had experienced negative interactions with the police. When the incidences occurred, none of the youth were engaged in illegal acts.
Ace, 17, is a self-identified gender queer youth who has struggled in her family with her sexual orientation and gender identity issues. She has found an outlet by becoming socially engaged in several non-profits in Chicago. She feels she can go to the adult organizers in these agencies and just be herself with out any pressure. She has received a full academic scholarship to a Midwestern university.
Morgan, 19, lives in a south suburb of Chicago and is in her second year of college at an out of state university. She has an interest in biomedical engineering. Her father works in corporate America and her mother is a successful real estate agent.
Sheldon , 20, is currently an organizer at a south side community organization. He was formerly incarcerated (at 17 years old) for his role in a felony crime. He is actively working to get his record expunged. After completing his time in jail he graduated from high school is attending college part-time and is parenting his young daughter.
This documentary will place at its center the voices and ideas of young African Americans, asking them their thoughts about the reality of their lives, about the political climate of this country, about discrimination, and a host of other topics.