the other brother.

It takes two to get through. 

There is an unwritten and indescribable bond that exists between black men. It’s a bond that exists in the black-owned barbershop on the corner, the basketball court in the neighborhood with no nets, and in “white” spaces where you and another brother are the only two of your kind. It’s experienced in the subtle head nod and handshake with the black guy you just met and may never see again. This bond is always present and unites us across states, across countries, and across continents. Although it’s a bond that can not be described, it can certainly be felt and experienced.

What I’ve found is that this bond is emblematic of an unspoken understanding of brotherhood and solidarity. It is a reminder of your familial support beyond your direct blood relatives. Your “Other Brother” is your help and reassurance, your shoulder to lean on. He’s your comfort knowing that in any given situation, there is another black man who is simultaneously going through the same struggle and understands your experience. As simple as that thought is, this empathetic reminder that you are not alone is sometimes all you need to get through. 

Cast

Creative Director & Photographer / Oghalé Alex 

Models / Dijon Graham & Devontay Graham 

Stylist / Symone Keisha

Shot for Nataal.