Gifted: An Inspiring New Coffee Table Book is a Vision of Beauty and Vulnerability Highlighting Remarkable Black Men in the Arts, Business, Politics and Finance
The book includes exclusive imagery and interviews of Kris Bowers (Bridgerton), David Oyelowo (Selma), Michael Strautmanis (Obama Foundation), Hisham Tawfiq (The Blacklist), Chris Lyons (Andreessen Horowitz), Nate Parker (American Skin), Dean Garfield (Netflix), Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II) and several other gifted Black men.
Follow the 10-year journey of photographer Jaimie Milner as she sets out to remind the world of the undeniable talent and influence Black men possess.
Gifted is a coffee table book published by photographer Jaimie Milner featuring exclusive photographs and full-length interviews that showcase the voice of Black men today. It serves as a platform for their multitude of truths; a challenge to the current climate.
The book features remarkable Black men in the Arts, Business, Politics and Finance. Gifted asks these men five thought provoking questions:
- Who are you?
- In your opinion, what is the myth and truth of Black men?
- How do you feel about the state of Black men today, and what would you like to see change?
- As a Black man, what do you need in your life to succeed?
- How do Black women aid in the progression of Black men?
Each of their answers offers an inside look into the minds and hearts of these men on a range of topics that will be of interest to readers looking to grasp a deeper understanding of Black male identity.
“I’m so pleased with the way the book captures the rich and varied truths of Black men,” said Milner upon seeing the finished project. “The true beauty of the book, though, is in the interviews; the words of these men. Their honesty and vulnerability add a beautiful layer of depth and complexity to my portraiture. My hope is not to change the views of others, but to ignite pride of self through positive imagery.”
“I was raised by a great Black man and both my life and career have been built on the shoulders of great Black men. To celebrate them and all that they’ve afforded me is why I’m honored to be a part of Gifted,” actor David Oyelowo says about being included in the book.
Relatable to everyone, Gifted seeks to fulfill the human desire of wanting to see yourself in a worthy light. Through unseen images, raw unfiltered full-length interviews, and thought-provoking perspectives, readers are sure to be captivated by the essence of the Black man.
“Every human being wants to be heard and understood, but for Black people our true power lies in being heard and understood by one another. If we validate ourselves collectively, we wouldn’t look for that validation from society and their opinions of us would become irrelevant,” says Milner.
For more information on Gifted and to secure your copy, please visit The Gifted Project
About Jaimie Milner
Born and raised in Southern California, Jaimie Milner discovered photography through a high school elective. After high school, Milner attended the University of Southern California and received her Bachelors in Communication. In her studies at USC, she learned about the portrayal of race, gender and sexuality in the media and the effects it has on our society. It was then she realized she could have a direct influence on how people saw themselves and each other. From that day, Milner has made it her mission to combine this new found knowledge and her love for the art of photography to capture the essence and stories of a people and their individual characteristics. Milner uses photographic portraiture as her primary medium by which she aspires to capture, empower and inspire the human spirit.
