I Am Just Like U

So, here's a thing: Edi Gathegi is working on a project. Who? You know, this guy:

The basic gist of the project is this:

"Words and images
have a profound and long lasting affect
on how we perceive things and people."

As the internet confirms with ever-increasing frequency, a compelling photograph along with brief (think: tweet) but thought-provoking narrative gets liked, pinned, shared, and talked about. If the image and message are intriguing enough, you'll click on it to find out more, or look up that billboard ad on your phone as you wait for the bus.

What if you could use that concept to make the world a little smaller, a little friendlier, a little more familiar, and a little more compassionate? This is what I Am Just Like U strives to do.

From their website:

...To be storytellers of the every day heartfelt black male and help communicate the reality of the healthy and productive lives they are living with integrity through a series of unique and simple images...

...Inspired to create a project that could tell true stories about the young black males across our country ... It is time to tell these stories differently and flip the perception many carry. We believe that we are all one people...

...We are put on this earth to work together, learn from each other and about ourselves, continually growing. Though there have been many accomp-lishments and great strides with the civil rights movement, we still have an unspoken prejudice or preconceived notion about black males. We are not claiming that every black male is perfect and doing things right, but simply to point out that there are not enough images, characters or role models highlighted to really outshine the negative stereotype...

... We hope this campaign inspires people to respond with kindness and think twice about dismissing some- one, accusing someone or being in fear of someone based on the color of their skin.

This project needs your help. IAJLU is raising money via Indigogo for the following:

1. News Blitz Marketing in 10 cities
2. 10 city tour of photo shoots and leadership & service workshops (to add 1000 new men to the campaign)
3. City wide ads and billboards in at least 3 major cities
4. Five Day Annual Conference in Los Angeles (summer 2014) for 40 black males, ages 13-18

Check out IAmJustLikeU.com, and read a few stories.

Look at the faces of your neighbors and really see them.

No two people on this planet are exactly the same,
and yet all of them are just like you.

Donate a few bucks, won't you?

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