THE FACES OF OVERTOWN: UNDER-REMEMBERED & OVER-FORGOTTEN
special thanks to Elisa Benedetti
Encouraging Preservation
Historic Overtown is the second oldest Miami neighborhood, established in 1896. Due to an increase of gentrification in this area, the standard of living is rapidly declining, with over 50% of the people living in Overtown being below the poverty line. Although rich in culture and sense of community, these people have been overlooked and taken advantage of by Miami's growing population.
Residential buildings get closed down every week as new skyscrapers tower over them. Men, women and children are being forced out of their homes with nowhere to go. I developed a collection of documentary photographs and interviews, gaining insight into the reality of life in the neighborhood.
My hope lies in the permanence of these photographs.
Although the streets of Overtown are fleeting, a single picture can encourage preservation- even preserve the town’s history itself- of a city that is being forgotten.
