Question Bridge

The Question Bridge: Black Males project is a platform for Black men of all ages and backgrounds to ask and respond to questions about life in America. It was create to stimulate connections and understanding among Black men, but also wanted to show the diversity of thought, character and identity in the Black male population so rarely seen in American media. In essence, it seeks to represent and redefine Black male identity in America.

Question Bridge is a method used by those who want to create honest expression and healing dialogue among members of a particular group. It works like this: first, one person asks a question looking into camera, as if they are talking directly to another person. Later, another person responds by talking directly into a camera. This question-answer exchange, the Question Bridge, reduces the stress of normal face-to-face conversations and makes people feel more comfortable with expressing their deeply held feelings on topics that divide, unite and puzzle. This was the central approach used in the project.

The project launched in 2012 as a documentary-styled video art installation prompted by artist Chris Johnson’s 1996 project around class and generational divisions in San Diego’s African American community. A decade later, Hank approached Johnson about doing a similar project focused on Black Males. Since then, it has expanded to include an interactive website and mobile app, community engagement events and an education curriculum for high school students.

Artists and producers involved include Hank, Chris Johnson, Delroy Lindo, Natasha Logan, Bayette Ross Smith, Kamal Sinclair, Will Sylvester, John Vidar, Rosa White, Deb Willis, and Jess Williams.