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Smile For We
June 25, 2023 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT
The Baton Foundation will host a conversation about Black men…and their smiles. This program is free to the public, but registration is required.
About the Book
The idea for Smile For We was born in response to recent instances of police brutality against Black men around the country. Often depicted as gang members, deadbeat dads, drug dealers, and societal outcasts, images of smiling Black men are rare.
Author Damon Mosley says, “Every time you turn on the TV, one sees Black men being killed, ridiculed, or stereotyped…in general, the media constantly portrays us as threats—not human beings.” He says the goal of the book “is to keep positive Black men visible and relevant.” Smile For We is a photo book dedicated to changing the way the world sees and treats Black men. Purchase books here.
About the Author
Damon Mosley is a Columbus, Ohio-based writer, producer, and photography buff. He began his writing career by submitting articles to his favorite publications while studying at Columbia University. His first story appeared in SLAM magazine in 1995. He later switched gears to cartoons–authoring a comic strip called Mosley that was picked up for development by Universal Press Syndicate in 2005.
In 2008, Damon self-published the children’s book, I’ve Got to Have Those Shoes!. When he learned about the work of Samaritan’s Feet — a charitable organization based in Charlotte, N.C., Mr. Mosley pledged a portion of the proceeds from the book to support their work. He also joined the group when they distributed thousands of pairs of shoes to needy children in Peru.
After years of developing various projects in Hollywood, Damon released Smile For We — a collection of portraits dedicated to changing the stereotypical images of Black men. Currently, Mr. Mosley is writing and producing his first feature film and a TV show based on his life.