FIFTY FOUR ELEVEN

“Fifty Four Eleven: an ode to the round the way girl”

Fifty Four Eleven is NYC slang for the high-top Reebok Freestyle Classic sneakers. Made popular and stylish by NYC girls throughout the boroughs, $54.11 was the price of the sneakers after taxes. They were the must-have kicks of the 80’s and 90’s and came in just about every color. Like all classics, they’ve never gone out of style…

“Fifty Four Eleven” is an ode to all the girls in the neighborhood…’Round The Way. I wanted to show Black women that you knew growing up, that was you growing up, that is you now…jumping double-dutch, hearing Classic Black girl names…their name, your name, said with love. I wanted to show images of Black women being unbothered, happy and joyous. So they are always shown ascending into the air. Their smile makes you smile.

I wanted to let the women of police brutality know their names have not been forgotten. I wanted to give you a mirror. I wanted to take you to a place and remind you of how fly you are. A Gem Rock. A Hood Goddess. And what you create is genius. I wanted to show home is where the Hood is. Home is where my people are. Where you are.

I love you!

AGENCY Gee/Spot Cine for Hycide Magazine
DIRECTOR / EDITOR Sewra G Kidane