I have been a longtime member of Social Documentary Network, an online forum for documentary photographers from around the world to post galleries of their work related to social justice topics of all kinds. Over the years, I have uploaded numerous galleries there including Tucson Black Voices, What White People Think, and Tucson Frontline Workers. All three of these portrait series were precursors to my current ongoing body of work entitled Voices of Race. Here is a brief description about the series:

With the ongoing polarization attached to the plethora of issues in the United States, the intention of the Voices of Race portrait series is to amplify perspectives, encourage civil discourse, foster understanding of our individual and collective history, and to be a call of action for all to be social change agents. As a former social worker and being a 60+ white woman, I came to recognize my ignorance especially following George Floyd’s murder even though I raised a bi-racial son as a single mother. As a documentary photographer, I knew it was time to do something about my/our lack of knowledge about our country’s origins, the results of which continue to impact every aspect of our society. Portraits are taken in the subject’s home/business, or in a public space of their choosing. No one’s statement is censored. While I have taken the portraits of 260 people to date, I feel that this work is in its beginning stages and form still. In most cases, the comments accompanying the portraits are excerpts from the subject’s full statement.

To view the Social Documentary Series, click here: Kathleen Dreier Voices of Race.