Still of Sharayna Ashanti Christmas and her son Bashi Rose in the Foundation chapter of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers. The Foundation chapter explores the Black woman’s impact in the lives of Black men and the Black community at large. The mother-son duo, in traditional African print garments next to a wall of gold-framed family photos, displays the imperative role of motherhood and familial upbringing as the groundwork of adulthood. This shot is accompanied by an archival clip of Amina Baraka, discussing the importance of value systems as descendants of a diasporic community. 
 

Shot by Kirby Griffin, directed by NIA JUNE and APoetNamedNate, featuring Sharayna Ashanti Christmas and Bashi Rose.

Still of ToneZone performing a 12 o’clock wheelie on a dirt bike in the Freedom chapter of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers. While Baltimore is known as the “Dirt Bike Capital,” it is often frowned upon by city officials and residents in certain areas. The Freedom chapter explores the radical act of breaking down barriers to experience unabashed joy while living under oppressive systems. This chapter was inspired by my late father who frequently took my sister and I to Druid Hill Park on Sundays to watch dirt bike riders. This scene was shot in collaboration with B-360, an organization that utilizes dirt bike culture and STEM education to equip youth and young adults with the skills to secure educational and career opportunities, while changing the negative perception of dirt bike riders.

Shot by Kirby Griffin, directed by NIA JUNE and APoetNamedNate, featuring ToneZone. Filmed at B-360 camp. 

Still of Wykeem Franklin and his son Solar Be Infinite at Whitelock Community Farm in the opening of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers. This opening scene of the film portrays the fertile ground of self-actualization through spirituality and grounding work. Wykeem, caretaker of the community space, tends to the grounds alongside his son, symbolizing inner growth and passing on these values to future generations. Located in Baltimore's Whitelock community, a predominantly Black neighborhood resisting gentrification, the farm serves as a metaphor for self discovery and survival for Black individuals through urban foraging and farming.

Shot by Kirby Griffin, directed by NIA JUNE and APoetNamedNate, featuring Wykeem Franklin and Solar Be Infinite. 

Still of The Jacobs Family in the Foundation section of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers. The Foundation chapter explores the Black woman’s impact in the lives of Black men and the Black community at large. The Jacobs family, a resilient blended unit, embodies the essential elements of raising Black children. Destinii and Rickie, the parents, exemplify these elements through discipline and unconditional love. Their portrayal reflects a healthy partnership and a commitment to healing generational traumas. The traditional family portrait also nods to the stylistic tradition of Black family portraits from the seventies, eighties, and nineties.

Shot by Kirby Griffin, directed and set design by NIA JUNE and APoetNamedNate, featuring The Jacobs Family.

Still of Demetrius and his daughter Noir in the Protector chapter of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers. The Protector chapter explores stigmas surrounding Black men and emotional vulnerability, specifically interrogating the sentiment that crying or emotional distress is a display of weakness. The father-daughter duo shares a day filled with in-house activities, from playing video games to reading, brushing each other's hair, and concluding with a poignant embrace in front of the mirror. The juxtaposition of the father's protective love and emotional vulnerability highlights the intricate relationship between Black manhood and emotion.

Shot by Kirby Griffin, directed by NIA JUNE and APoetNamedNate, featuring Demetrius and Noir Johnson. 

The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers — SHORT FILM 

Original Poetry Written and Performed by NIA JUNE

Directed by NIA JUNE and APoetNamedNate

Cinematography by Kirby Griffin

Edited by Kirby Griffin, NIA JUNE, APoetNamedNate

Produced by NIA JUNE

Danny of Illicit Rag Vintage (2)

Mrs. Tammy of Carey Hardware 

Akio of Akio’s Glorious Heroes

KC of KC’s Studio

Danny of Illicit Rag Vintage 

This short documentary spotlights four Baltimore-born entrepreneurs — Mrs. Tammy, Danny, KC, and Akio — who, through dedication and innovation, have become trailblazers in their industries and neighborhoods. Ms. Harris, owner of Carey Hardware, continues the legacy of her father, who ran the store in the 1980s. KC, a welding artist and the founder of KC’s Studio, aims to break the barrier of entry and encourage more Black individuals to enter the field. Danny, the visionary behind Illicit Rag Vintage, works to cement Baltimore’s place in the fashion world by being a resource to local designers and models. Akio, of Akio’s Glorious Heroes, customizes clothing to honor his mother while telling impactful stories and preserving history through streetwear design. Keep What You Sow documents their journey,  highlighting how these self-starters not only contribute to Baltimore’s cultural landscape but also uplift the community. The film debuted at Center Stage Baltimore in 2022.

Ms. Harris

Clayvon York

Sandra and nephew 

Taking Care: Portraits from Baltimore offers an intimate look into the lives of Sandra, Ms. Harris, and Clayvon — three clients of Health Care for the Homeless whose paths converge at the organization’s doors. Sandra, an immigrant from Nicaragua, is a cancer survivor rebuilding her life. Ms. Harris, a former Baltimore City educator and dancer, survived a diabetic coma and continues to defy the odds. Clayvon, once a hustler and youth services worker, perseveres after a severe stroke. Through their survival stories, the film paints a compassionate and unflinching portrait of Baltimore’s unhoused community, shedding light on the resilience of individuals navigating homelessness and the essential support Health Care for the Homeless provides. 

The documentary premiered at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in 2024.

Director & Producer: NIA JUNE

Creative Director: APoetNamedNate

Director of Photography: Kirby Griffin