Dear Cleveland: Photos by Air Rodgers, 16
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Rachel Dissell and Brie Zeltner, participants in the 2018 National Fellowship.
Other stories in this series include:
Healing through our reflections: Dear Cleveland
Healing through our reflections: Dear Cleveland
For Audrey, ‘wanna hang’ is a question with no good answer
’Achieve’ captures obstacles, aspirations of three young men growing up in Cleveland: Dear Cleveland
Dear Cleveland: Photos by Air Rodgers, 16
Air Rodgers
By Air Rodgers
Air Rodgers
Air Rodgers, 16, took this photo of her one-year-old cousin CJ Jones as he peeked out of a slightly open window at his siblings playing in the yard of their home.
Air was photographing CJ's siblings, Skylar and Jaylen, while CJ stayed inside to take a nap.
Suddenly, Air heard CJ screaming. "I quickly took his picture because it reminded me of my youth. I would sometimes not be able to go outside so I'd watch my friends play from the front window. I felt his frustration of entrapment." Air titled the photo "Kiddie Jail."
Air Rodgers
Lucky, the cat.
Air Rodgers
Air took her film camera to Pride in the CLE, which was held on Public Square in June. In this photo, Christina Robinson, a Cleveland School of the Arts student, poses with performers at the celebration of Cleveland's Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities. Air's image represents an expression of what she and her friends stand for: Inclusion and equality.
Air Rodgers
Nicole, with the flowers in her hair, and Aliyah celebrate their first Pride in the CLE festival on a June day on Public Square. Air believes the representation of inclusion and equality are needed more often in our community.
Air Rodgers
[This story was originally published by cleveland.com.]