The
Black Bodies Project
What began as a passion project evolved into so much more. In 2018, journalist Charlotte Moore got it in her head to produce a film elevating the voices of Black people describing what it feels like to live in Black skin, addressing the impacts of Blackness on their overall wellbeing. Charlotte grabbed her old-but-true Canon T-Rebel video camera, a wobbly tripod, and she found 16 beautiful people who were willing to sit with her and speak candidly—on camera—about what it means to be Black.
That independent film became a pivotal piece of art titled “Black Bodies.”
Anecdote Meets Evidence
The power of the documentary film “Black Bodies” lies in its invitation to listen—deeply and without interruption—to 16 Black people of varying ages, skin tones, and professions as they speak candidly about their lived experiences and how they navigate systems never designed with them in mind. Austin-based racial equity consultant Joyce James attended many of the film screenings and played a crucial role in contextualizing these personal narratives, demonstrating how the stories shared on screen are echoed in national data.
City of Austin Screening
In 2019, the City of Austin’s Office of Equity partnered with the historic George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center to host a screening of the film “Black Bodies,” produced by journalist and filmmaker, Charlotte Moore.
Visual Storytelling As Catalyst
Charlotte had no way of knowing at the time that “Black Bodies” would go on to air on PBS, screen at three film festivals, the Alamo Drafthouse cinemas, the historic Boyd Vance Theatre, high schools, and scores of community events—ultimately reaching thousands of viewers.
After many of these screenings, audiences stayed in their seats, engaging in moving, often deeply personal conversations about race, justice, and the power of shared stories.
The success of “Black Bodies” became a catalyst for Charlotte’s next chapter of work, inspiring the creation of the Black Bodies Project. From that effort emerged the Brainstorm Black interview series and the beautifully crafted portrait book, Benevolence In Black.
