Black Joy on the Eastside is a community-centered digital storytelling project created and designed by Aitina Fareed-Cooke and produced through Get Fokus’d Productions with its team of 30+ collaborators, in partnership with the John R. Oishei Foundation.
Developed over more than a year, the project uses stories, photography, writing, and creative media to explore joy, restoration, and resilience across Buffalo’s East Side, along with the everyday conditions that shape well-being.
Workshops and a year-end exhibition and screening invite the community to share, listen, and connect.
Shout out to our GFP Collaborators!
Aitina Fareed-Cooke. Alana Costner. Alex Felix Rojé. Amilkar Apointe. Brandon Watson. Ekaete Bailey. Elijah Purdue. Eman Wajed. Isaac Fareed. Jessica Stoddard. Joshua Brian. Kadynce Patton. Kaitlyn Lowe. Kalvin Booker. Khyvana Wilson-Dowell. Kiesha Adamczyk-Bennett. Laviba Akther. Luqman Muhammad. Malik Rainey. Moshan Billups. Nafisa Smith. Oscar Heard III. Paul Knight. Patrick Htoo. Robert Herrod. Robin Lazzara. Ryan Dowell. Samantha Bentz. Shannon Mays. Susan Hogan. Tallulah Gordon. Tamara Chambers. Ticia Cole. TJ Walker. Zauria Robinson.
Join a Workshop!
The Black Joy on the Eastside Workshop Series brings community members together for storytelling, conversation, creative writing, and reflection. Join us November 14, November 21, and December 5 as we build toward a December 19 exhibition and screening featuring participants’ writing, visual stories, and community perspectives. All workshops and engagements will be located at 500 Seneca St., Buffalo NY 14204.
Black Joy on the Eastside: Session 1 - Joy Starts Here
November 14th | 12-3PM - Registration Required. Review additional details through the registration button below.
Black Joy on the Eastside: Session 2
November 21st | 12-3PM - Registration Required. Review additional details through the registration button below.
Black Joy on the Eastside: Session 3
December 5th | 12-3PM - Registration Required. Review additional details through the registration button below.
Black Joy on the Eastside: Exhibition, Screening & Performance
December 19th | 4-7:30PM (Doors open 3:30 PM) - Registration Encouraged. Review additional details through the registration button below.
Celebrate Black Joy on the Eastside with an exhibition, screening, community discussion, and live performance by Aitina Fareed-Cooke / A.I. The Anomaly and her band. Explore stories and creative work developed throughout the workshop series.
Free and open to the public. Located at 500 Seneca St., Buffalo NY 14204.
Food provided. Registration encouraged.
For more information about Black Joy on the Eastside, including event details and registration assistance or partnership inquiries, contact our team at admin@getfokusdproductions.com.