Today we have a truly inspiring conversation that delves into the power of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformational journey of one extraordinary individual, photographer, entrepreneur, and social activist, Misan Harriman, a name that has become synonymous with the art of storytelling through the lens. The first brother to shoot a cover for British Vogue in its 104-year history. Misan's incredible journey from self-doubt to becoming a global voice of the moment is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. His iconic protest images became a voice for the voiceless, igniting a conversation that asks, "Why is ending racism still a debate?"

Hailing from Calabar, the capital city of Cross River State in Nigeria, Misan was raised in England, yet didn’t formally begin his photographic career until the age of 40. Gifted a camera by his wife, who recognized his passion for the image, Misan taught himself the ins and outs of image-making.  A burgeoning portraitist, it was his protest images during the 2020 global reckonings for Black Lives that caught the attention of British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enningful, and the rest, as they say… is history. 

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Things mentioned

Gordon Parks- American photographer and activist

Eve Arnold- American photojournalist

Sally Mann- American photographer

David LaChapelle- American photographer and director 

George Floyd- American man who was killed through police brutality

Mohamed Amin- Kenya photojournalist

Web3 - is a possible future version of the internet based on public blockchains, a record-keeping system best known for facilitating cryptocurrency transactions.

Tezos Foundation- financial literacy with blockchain and crypto art

Sykes-Picot agreement- secret convention made during World War I between Great Britain and France, with the assent of imperial Russia, for the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire. 

Balfour agreement- It was made in a letter from Arthur James Balfour, the British foreign secretary, to Lionel Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild (of Tring), a leader of the Anglo-Jewish community. 

What to Read

A Choice of Weapons - Gordon Parks

The Art of Protest: A Visual History of Dissent and Resistance - Jo Rippon

Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America - Daniel Black

What to listen to

Legend (album) – Bob Marley

A Change is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke

Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson

We Insist (album)- Max Roach

Who to follow

Website: https://www.misanharriman.com/

IG: Misan Harriman (@misanharriman)

TW: Misan Harriman (@misanharriman)

This conversation was recorded on July 05, 2023.

Host Dario Calmese 

Producer:  K.T. Thompson

Visual Art Direction and Designs: River Wildmen

Director of Digital Content: Vicky Garcia

Production Asst:  Noa Lesche

Original Music composed by Adam Radice

Sound Engineer:  Adam Radice

Visit us at blackimagination.com 

Watch other episodes on YouTube at The Institute of Black Imagination.