Healing Through Cultural Connection
What We Created
We produced a documentary-style film that captures the transformative work of Holding Space, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing racial trauma in the Black community through culturally responsive arts-based practices.
The Creative Elements
Aesthetics: The film features intimate, natural lighting that honors the authentic environments where healing takes place. We employed a warm color palette that complements the rich cultural elements present in African drumming, dance, and community gatherings. The cinematography moves between observational wide shots of community spaces and intimate close-ups that reveal emotional transformation.
Feel: The documentary creates a sense of reverence and possibility. The pacing allows viewers to feel both the weight of intergenerational trauma and the liberation that comes through cultural healing practices. There's an intentional rhythm to the editing that mirrors the drumming featured throughout—building tension and release.
User Experience: Viewers experience the film as both witnesses and participants. Key moments featuring sound healing and rhythmic drumming create a sensory experience that extends beyond visual storytelling. The camera positioning often places the viewer within healing circles rather than as distant observers.
Key Decisions: We chose to center Dr. Shakonda Rogers' voice while interspersing real moments from healing sessions. This approach balances conceptual understanding with emotional resonance. We deliberately captured events at the Brick House Art Gallery to showcase how community-centered locations enhance the healing experience.
Our Client
Holding Space, founded by Dr. Shacunda Rogers, partners with holistic wellness practitioners to address racial trauma through culturally affirming modalities. Their work matters because they're filling a critical gap in mental health services for Black communities by providing healing approaches that honor cultural heritage rather than imposing Western-only frameworks.
Their unique approach recognizes that healing racial trauma requires reconnection to cultural practices that restore both individual and collective wellbeing.
The Problem We Solved
Holding Space needed to communicate their innovative approach to potential participants, funders, and community partners. The challenge was conveying both the science behind their work and its deeply spiritual dimensions without diminishing either aspect.
Our film needed to:
Explain the connection between arts-based practices and trauma healing
Showcase the range of modalities (drumming, dance, sound healing) in action
Capture authentic transformation while respecting participants' vulnerability
Position their work within the broader context of community healing
Target Audience
The film speaks to multiple audiences:
Community members seeking healing alternatives
Funders and grant organizations evaluating impact
Healthcare professionals interested in culturally responsive approaches
Fellow practitioners in the healing arts community
We prepared by attending several Holding Space events, speaking with participants about their experiences, and researching the neurobiological foundations of rhythmic healing practices.
Key Insights
Our research revealed three critical insights:
Many participants found conventional therapy insufficient for addressing racial trauma's bodily dimensions
The communal nature of cultural practices created healing beyond what individual treatment could provide
Reconnection to cultural traditions offered a powerful counterbalance to the disconnection caused by historical trauma
These insights shaped our approach to filming, ensuring we captured both individual transformation and collective healing moments.
Execution and Impact
The film weaves together Dr. Rogers' expert perspective with documentary footage of actual healing sessions, creating a powerful testimony to Holding Space's work. The authenticity of the footage required building trust with participants and approaching filming with cultural sensitivity.
The completed film has become a cornerstone of Holding Space's communication strategy, helping them secure additional funding while also serving as an educational tool for healthcare providers interested in culturally responsive approaches.
Most importantly, the film has helped Holding Space reach more community members seeking healing, expanding their impact throughout the region.
Girl Wonder | Stories by Design
