From Grant to Gallery: The Journey of the Weaving Stories Photographers
When PICHA launched its Grant Program, the goal was simple yet ambitious — to give photographers from Africa and the diaspora the means and mentorship to tell stories that mattered. Stories that went beyond stereotypes to reveal the fullness of Black life.
Today, that vision has come to life in Weaving Stories, a photography book that brings together ten photographers from six countries, each using the camera as a tool for cultural connection and creative expression.
A Grant That Sparked a Movement
The PICHA Grant Program was created to invest directly in emerging photographers who were often left out of traditional funding ecosystems. Each grantee received support not only to create new visual work, but also to develop written narratives that contextualized their photography, an essential part of PICHA’s mission to center authentic storytelling.
The result was a remarkable collection of stories that blurred the line between documentary and art. From Lagos to Salvador-Bahia, Nairobi to Atlanta, each photographer approached the theme of identity in their own way, exploring womanhood, spirituality, ancestry, and belonging through powerful, personal imagery.
Turning Vision Into Print
As the stories unfolded, it became clear that these voices deserved a permanent space, something tangible, collectible, and enduring. The idea for Weaving Stories was born.
Over the course of a year, PICHA worked with curators, editors, and designers to transform the grant projects into a cohesive visual narrative. The process involved deep collaboration: editing, sequencing, and translating each photographer’s intent into print while maintaining the soul of their work.
The result is a hardcover book that feels as intimate as it is expansive — a visual journey across continents that celebrates both individuality and shared humanity.
A Global Celebration of Representation
Since its publication, Weaving Stories has been more than a book, it’s become a movement. The journey began in Seattle, where the first launch set the tone for a global celebration of visual storytelling. From there, the project traveled to Nairobi and Salvador, Bahia, each city adding its own cultural rhythm and voice to the dialogue.
In just a few weeks, Weaving Stories will continue its journey to Cape Town, Lagos, and Accra — extending the conversation across continents and creative communities.
These global gatherings remind us that representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about agency. It’s about who gets to hold the camera, tell the story, and shape the narrative.
Meet the Photographers
The Weaving Stories book features ten remarkable photographers, each weaving their perspective into a larger cultural tapestry:
- Ana Carolina Haddad — Brazil
- Geovana Maria Santos — Brazil
- Rita Harper — USA
- Kat Grudko — South Africa
- Gloria Mwivanda — Kenya
- Ayorinde Ogundele — Nigeria
- Martha Nzisa Mutiso — Kenya
- Barbra Guya — Kenya
- Nancy Afua Agyeman — Ghana
- Raddie Nyamwaya - Kenya
Their works explore themes of identity, connection, and transformation, revealing the deep threads that tie the global African experience together.
The Power of Storytelling as Legacy
Weaving Stories represents the heart of PICHA’s mission: to democratize visual representation and invest in the artists shaping the future of imagery. Each photograph, each story, is an act of reclamation, proof that when creatives are given space, resources, and recognition, they don’t just capture the world; they redefine it.
From grant to gallery, Weaving Stories is a living testament to what happens when we believe in the power of community, creativity, and collective vision.
Explore the book, meet the photographers, and join the growing movement for authentic representation.
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