I am a professional photographer who resides in Harlem, N.Y.  My street and travel photography reflects both an observational and documentarian style of environmental portraiture.  I often capture the candid and spontaneous moments of everyday life. This particular artwork is a representation of the coming of age and defiance against the long standing history of demoralizing and dehumanizing narratives that portray African Americans. Despite the "slave trope" being taught in our schools and still presented in mass media formats, there is irrefutable proof of our rich history and contribution to society. Our existence as scientists, artists, thinkers and innovators are the foundations of what the United States of America is built upon. With this ever expanding knowledge is the realization that "America Never Deserved Us."