Royal Exposure 4 Our Community - Create Connect Collaborate

At The Dojo, we are built on our 3 C’s: Connect, Collaborate, and Create. We are deeply rooted in our community, working tirelessly to transform the places we live and work into spaces of growth and inspiration.

Our inaugural Royal Exposure program saw us partner with a local nonprofit to empower the Queens and Kings of DC. Over 8 transformative months, participants delved into the fundamentals of photography and model interaction, culminating in an unforgettable journey to Alabama for a Juneteenth photoshoot, uniquely crafted by the program’s participants.

Throughout the program, we collaborated with esteemed institutions like the National Arboretum for a special Juneteenth community photoshoot and the Martin Luther King Library, where our participants had the honor of photographing the legendary Andrew Young. These enriching experiences were specially curated for our Queens and Kings, culminating in a beautifully published book featuring their work.

In 2022, we launched Royal Exposure 2.0, expanding our outreach and connecting with university students pursuing creative degrees. This year, we hosted workshops with renowned photographers such as Sharon Farmer, Cheriss May, Kirth Bob, Dayo Kosoko, Jeremy Ives, and Thad Pryor. Thanks to FujiFilm, we were able to gift cameras to lucky workshop attendees, fostering their burgeoning talents.

Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited to offer a series of summer workshops designed to unite the community. While centered on photography, these workshops will also provide a platform for diverse artistic expressions.

We are dedicated to continuing the legacy of Royal Exposure, nurturing creativity, and empowering our community. The fundamental question we ask every Queen and King before they join the program is: “Why do you want to create?”

Your support can make a significant impact. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or supporter, please click here to reach out. Together, we can inspire and elevate the creative voices within our community.