Directors Abdi Ibrahim and Jonathan Salmon have released Who Am I, a short initiative film that is an unapologetic ode to the relationship between Black life and the art it creates. The film serves as a visual poem highlighting over 40 Black Seattle artists of all disciplines, ages, complexions and backgrounds in their environments as they recite a poem about the authenticity of their craft.
Who Am I is a call to action to fund two Black-led grassroots organizations in Seattle (Choose180 and Creative Justice) dedicated to restructuring the youth incarceration system in the county.
Ibrahim and Salmon felt a shift in their responsibility as artists to their community back on June 1. After the tragic death of George Floyd, Ibrahim and Salmon joined thousands in Downtown Seattle to protest against police brutality and systemic racism in Black and Brown communities in Seattle. As they protested on this day, Police began to shove, pepper spray, gas and shoot rubber bullets at Ibrahim and Salmon, among thousands of others. This experience left the directors scared, angry and determined to do more as artists and spawned the creation of Who Am I.
The film is the centerpiece of a social media campaign designed to raise awareness for each Black artist and creative involved as well as to generate the most funds for the donation campaign.
