Critical Exposure Inc

I simply love the program Critical Exposure offers to our students. It not only encourages them to develop an artists "eye" but also to be aware of the impact photographs can have on the world, with the emphasis on social justice and current issues.

I have been involved with Critical Exposure for the past 4 years and I cannot say enough about how much this organization makes a difference in children's lives. The greatest thing about this nonprofit is that it not only teaches children the skill of photography, but it also provides them with the support needed to be advocates for themselves and their schools, and ultimately create social change to better their lives. For a lot of children, this program and the staff's dedication, has transformed their lives, empowering them in a way that hadn't before. As a resident of Washington, DC, I can't think of a better way to help children in this city better themselves, and the school system, than Critical Exposure. Adam, the director, and his team are incredibly dedicated to the mission, and the children.

Critical Exposure has made such a great addition to my after school program, the Multi-Ethnic Concerns Club for 9th-12th graders. The topics we cover are at times intense and sensitive, but Lauren and Fatimah are the perfect leaders for the conversations we have, and are never afraid of including important conversations that pop up on their own. They bring in such well thought out lessons and have a great incite into what the teenagers want to learn. I feel so fortunate to have them in my classroom.

Critical Exposure takes a big bite of the social change apple. They are not content to help students recognize problems and apply piecemeal solutions. They ate fundamentally challenging the systemic reasons for inequity in our public schools and giving students the core skills in communications, problem-solving and advocacy to "be the change they want to see in the world." Critical Exposure's leadership and staff are in it for the right reasons and that integrity males them incredibly effective with students, school administrators and local officials. They have the success stories to prove it, I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to invest in youth and unleash their power for positive change!

The cleverness of the turn of phrase "critical exposure" is matched by the sass and drive of the people who work there. As a photo enthusiast and volunteer who has helped out at photography exhibits of students' work, and fundraisers, I am impressed by the team's big plans, and their ability to follow through. Bigger than life portraits by students in area businesses? Why not! Raising tens of thousands of dollars through student photo-activism? Done! Auctions of framed student work alongside of donated works by internationally acclaimed award winning photographers? Teach those students to aim high! But the evidence of the impact lies in the testimonies of the student participants themselves who consistently reiterate that being part of critical exposure has given them a means to channel creativity, inspired confidence, and taught them skills beyond photography in the realm of organization, commitment, and critical thinking. I hope Critical Exposure continues its good work!

What is unique about Critical Exposure is that it gives the students the tools they need to effect change for themselves. That approach provides them with a sense of empowerment that no handout can ever match.

Critical Exposure tackles one of the toughest challenges facing our nation – helping the most underperforming schools and hardest to reach students – and does so through a unique mix of shocking photography, smart policy and heartbreaking student testimony. CE empowers students with the tools and opportunity to confront elected officials, the media and the public with a reality that most people only see from a distance and moving people to take action. The fact that Critical Exposure has grown and flourished so much in both size and scope - especially in such tough economic times when most non-profits can’t even survive - is a true mark of this organization's value and success.

Year after year I continue to be impressed with the top talent and the commitment the CE team has toward the mission. With little resources, CE is able to make a significant impact on the lives of students as well as help bring about change in the schools--truly making a positive difference.

Watching Critical Exposure grow, I've been impressed by the organization's ability to combine the joy and power of photography with effective policy impact. By empowering students to tell their own stories, it inspires the students documenting the conditions in their schools, the policy makers who have acted to improve school conditions, and the many others who have viewed the work.

I love working with and on behalf of children, especially for causes related to improving their educational opportunities. Volunteering with Critical Exposure provides a great way for me to feel like I am making a direct difference and impact on major youth issues like reducing the high school drop-out rate, improving school facilities and lunches, and other barriers to the first-rate education ALL kids deserve.

I have been inspired by the work they do to give inner city young people a voice. Most people only know about what it is like to grow up in a tough inner city neighborhood from what they see on TV. Through Critical Exposure I was able to hear directly from young people and see through their pictures what life is actually like. By lifting up these voices and connecting them to policy makers who can make a difference, Critical Exposure plays a powerful role in restoring the American dream.

I have recently joined the family of Critical Exposure and given the size of the staff and members the organization does a great job in bring awareness to the inequities of the public school system. I think with more funding and resources the organization will continue to grow and make impacts on young children as they continue to express themselves through photography and their own voices.

Critical Exposure (CE) has the unique ability to make a difference in one student's life while also working toward social change to improve the lives of all students. I am grateful that CE shares its passion for photography, education, and empowerment with youth and vulnerable communities.

I am fortunate to know well the work that Critical Exposure does with the youth in the communities it serves. CE takes the energy of a small group of passionate individuals to create big change in classrooms, communities, and cities. Teens have documented the high school drop-out crisis in DC Public Schools, they've taken school systems to task to change the conditions of school buildings in districts across the country, and they've helped tell the story youth homelessness. I've seen the effect the young people's photographs have on viewers, when their work is exhibited. The images force people to stop. They shake their heads in disbelief. They look around for other people in the room to share their thoughts with... It is truly remarkable. And that's to say nothing of the impact the photographs and advocacy work have made on legislation and budgets of big cities and school districts.

Our organization partnered with Critical Exposure several times to implement youth led service learning projects in the community. District youth researched various issues in their community, photographed these issues, and used these photos and their own captions to advocate for changes. Our work with Critical Exposure truly helped youth understand that they could in fact help transform their lives and their communities and gave youth life long lessons. They are a fantastic, well organized, and highly professional organization. They deeply and genuinely care about their work, their mission,

Critical Exposure is supporting students around the country in learning new skills AND telling their personal stories to the general public. Through this process, students support important policies changes that will improve their lives directly and gain confidence as they learn the fundamental of photography and the power of personal expression. It is vital the the people actually affected by issues -- and in this case young people themselves -- are actively engaged in discussions about solutions. Critical Exposure is extremely effective in this process.

Critical Exposure taught my middle school students how to document what worked and what didn't work in our school, write about these photographs, and create a petition for change. Students felt empowered and engaged through this work, and they learned skills that they will carry with them -- photography, advocacy, and writing.

Critical Exposure is a fantastic organization that works with many inspiring and talented young people. They provide underpriviledged students with the tools and training they need to document their school conditions and then use these photographs to lobby for change. Not only does their work address many of the financial inequalities in the school system, but it is teaching young people how to effectively have a voice for change in their community -- a skill that will benefit them the rest of their lives.

I have known Adam for several years and have attended 4 or 5 critical exposure (CE) gallery/auction type events hosted by CE. The organizations work is certainly a worthy cause - helping to educate the public about the conditions of our school system and trying to secure add'l money to improve our school system. How they accomplish this one of the remarkable aspects of the organization. They recruit students and teach them how to use photography to capture school condition and use this to seek improvement - either through public awareness, increased funding, better safety, etc. If you're fortunate to attend one of the Galleries hosted by CE, I'm sure you will be shocked by the conditions that are shown by these school photographers, but also impressed by the professionalism and passion that is shared by the staff as well as the student photographers. I've also been able to spend some time speaking with a few of the students at these events and it is great to see what some students are trying to do to make a difference. I'm happy to continue to support critical exposure and wish them well.