Documentary photographer, Tau Battice, took center stage at the opening reception for his project series “Afro Latina: Intimacies and Identities” at the Rio II gallery in Harlem on Friday May 1st, 2015.

The project focuses on women who struggle with having to choose between identifying and labeling themselves “Latina” or “Black”, confronting the racism and stereotypes within their cultures and society, and defining what Afro Latina means to them. Each photograph was accompanied with a transcribed statement from each subject. The photographs, as the statements, offered a truth that went deeper than appearances and opened up dialogue about the issues, which is what the purpose of the project is.

“It has to be seen, it has to be shown, it has to be spoken about. Dialogue, trialogue [sic]. We need to have a lot of conversations because there’s a lot of ignorance,” said Tau to room full of guest at the final minutes of the reception.

There was a mutual feeling of pride and connection in the room.

“I thought it was really empowering to see all of these Afro Latina women and read about how they struggled. And I think it’s very important to have representation of Afro Latina women” said guest Chayna Douglas.

Tau Battice is a documentary photographer and teacher at The City University of New York.

More photo’s from the event can be seen on the Center Stage NYC Flickr page.

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