“Juneteenth”

As a photographer, I feel a deep responsibility to tell stories that matter. For this project, I’m working with Juneteenth NYC to capture portraits that reflect the power, pride, and legacy of Black excellence. While the organization empowers BIPOC entrepreneurs through education and community-building, my goal is to visually support that mission—offering images that feel both personal and iconic.

I don’t see myself as the center of this project, but rather as a vessel helping to carry these stories forward. Each person I photographed brought their own strength, resilience, and individuality to the frame. My role is simply to listen, observe, and translate that presence into a lasting visual narrative.

This work is about more than creating beautiful portraits. It’s about honoring the history, culture, and future of communities that have always had something powerful to say. I feel honored to contribute to that ongoing dialogue with images that aim to inform, empower, and celebrate.— Gerardo Mencia, Juneteenth 2025