BDC Spotlight: Kalada Halliday

Kalada Halliday is a photographer and educator working in the Bronx and East Harlem. He is the College Counselor for the Bronx Junior Photo League, the BDC's photography and visual storytelling program for middle and high school students. For this month’s BDC Spotlight Series we spoke with Kalada to learn more about his experience working with our photography students:

Q: Can you tell us about one of your favorite experiences at the BDC?
Coming from other educational spaces, one of my favorite aspects of the BDC is getting the chance to watch young people fully immerse themselves in something that they're actually passionate about. So much of school feels tied to topics that most students don't feel connected to; it's refreshing to see students studying and growing in fields that they're invested in. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter your field?
This work needs to be grounded in intention and purpose--if the students aren't the focus of what you're doing, it probably isn't going to work out for you my G.

Q: Who/what inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my students. Just sitting in the HS1 or HS2 class and watching the students share their work helps broaden my perspective, and reminds me to take in every day with a fresh set of eyes.