In 2018 I started to visit Savannah Georgia frequently, often visiting once or twice a month to be with my girlfriend, Sophie, who was attending classes at the Savannah College of Art and Design at the time. When I first started to visit, it never occurred to me to make a photo series about the city, but after a few visits, the city and its history started to wear on me. I became intrigued in the architecture of the dated homes and streets. I started to fall in love with the painting of Savannah that the city had so masterfully composed. It was and is a beautiful city that has seen much growth in the past few years. It wasn't until a year  after my initial visit, in 2019 that I found myself truly seeing  just what the city's secrets were. A city built upon the history of civil war, slavery and an always present sense of immoral classism became prevalent as I  explored more of the city. As time passed and I became more comfortable and trusted in lower income communities, I've witnessed mass repopulation efforts of lower class communities to make way for higher development and modernized communities that have paved over, relocated, or completely destroyed POC neighborhoods. These efforts, by both the city itself and other organizations have allowed for the destruction of historical buildings, homes and communities, many of which unfortunately are unfunded communities, housing people of color.   

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My goal for this project is to show the amazing beauty and culture of these communities as well as try and preserve the history of the neighborhoods, buildings and other landmarks before they are inevitably paved over or completely destroyed. Without the documentation of these homes, places of worship, schools and recreational areas they will surely be forgotten in the future. With help from local POC owned newspapers like The Savannah Tribune, as well as Savannah's own District 5 City Commissioner, I've been able to gain an inside scoop on just what these communities are not only physically going through, but feeling mentally and emotionally. It is my number one priority to  maintain trust, respect and understanding of these community members in my mission to uplift and provide a platform for many who have felt their voices have fell upon deaf ears. 

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In addition to documenting one side of the social spectrum, I have also been spending time documenting the wealthy lives of the upper class that have continuously sectioned themselves off and have pushed back these lower income communities away from the more money driven, tourist ridden downtown shopping districts. By alienating these communities they have succeeded in the destruction of historically black and other minority owned property and of course, social status. Without a present majority of population these communities often are over voted or silenced completely. So by documenting how the other side lives, my hopes are to raise awareness on an underlying issue and the muffled voices of those that deserve to be heard.