Healthy Fishing on the Duwamish River

Many different communities enjoy fishing on the Duwamish River as a way to relax, enjoy the outdoors, connect to their culture, and obtain food. Unfortunately, years of industrial use have polluted the Duwamish River so severely that it will take decades to clean up. In the meantime, people can still legally fish on the Duwamish River and protect their health as long as they catch only salmon and follow certain Washington State guidelines.

This video is a promotional montage for a series of nine videos produced in partnership with the Duwamish Community Health Advocates, Public Health – Seattle & King County, the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the University of Washington Superfund Research Program. The videos cover the legal and logistical aspects of catching salmon from the Duwamish River and a few delicious ways to prepare a healthy salmon meal at home. The videos were also translated into Mandarin, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Spanish.

Check out the entire series on The WA State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s YouTube channel, or to read more about the project, visit my Healthy Fishing on the Duwamish project page.

Enjoy your salmon!

Partners: University of Washington Superfund Research Program, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Seattle and King County Public Health, Environmental Protection Agency
Roles: Director, Videographer, Editor, Project Manager

The Ramadan Road Trip

The Shoulder-to-Shoulder campaign works to fight anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry in the United States. They do this through training faith leaders and community members, building networks between these groups and individuals, and amplifying faith voices in the public square. I first met Shoulder-to-Shoulder at their inaugural Faith over Fear training and I’ve been working with them intermittently ever since.  

In 2019, I accompanied Shoulder-to-Shoulder and the InterReligious Institute on a “Ramadan Road Trip” to Raleigh, NC; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA; Clarkston, GA; and Washington, D.C., to highlight the diversity of Iftars, or the Ramadan end-of-day breaking of the fast, happening across the American Southeast. The video above documents these Iftars. We also developed a collection of videos from heartfelt conversations shared with Iftar attendees in a “story booth” hosted at each event, covering topics such as being Muslim in America today, favorite foods of Ramadan, the importance of interfaith community building, how to be a better ally, and more. Shoulder-to-Shoulder also developed a series of thought-provoking discussion guides that accompany each video (link found in description paragraph for each video).

Talking about anti-Muslim discrimination, and bigotry as a whole, with family or friends is often uncomfortable or taboo, yet conversation is an important start in the journey toward action. I suggest inviting family and friends over to watch the micro-documentary, or host an online group viewing session, then utilize the discussion guide to help stimulate a more in-depth conversation. The storybooth series + the discussion guides is a great way to continue the conversation, and I’ve included two videos from the series below.

I can’t say enough good things about Shoulder-to-Shoulder and their work, and I encourage you to check out their full programming when you have a moment (and make a donation if you’re able to!)

If you’d like to read more about my work with Shoulder to Shoulder, visit the Shoulder-to-Shoulder project page. 

Ramadan Road Trip Partners: Shoulder to Shoulder, the InterReligious Institute at the Chicago Theological Institute
Host partners: Many (check out the Ramadan Road Trip page from 2019 for a list of all the i
Roles: Project coordinator, Producer, Interviewer, Videographer, Editor, Graphic Designer

Deconstructing the (self) stigma of mental illnesses: An OWN Talk by Vanessa Lam

OneWorld Now! (OWN) works to develop the next generation of global leaders. Founded in Seattle in 2002, OWN’s award-winning program model combines critical world language skills, leadership training, and study abroad opportunities.

Many of OWN’s alum stay involved with the organization, becoming mentors, assisting current students, or giving talks on important issues. In this inspiring OWN talk, OWN Alum Vanessa Lam describes her journey of overcoming the stigma of mental illness, and how her time with OWN helped her in her journey. Much respect and admiration for Vanessa for sharing her experience and discussing such a personal topic with the world <3.

This was the first “covid production” in 2020 after a long break due to corona prevention precautions. Given safety procedures, our options were limited with space and preparation at the time, though I’m happy with the results we were able to achieve. Here’s a before and after shot of the space we had to work with. Check out the final video shot above!

Client: OneWorld Now!
Role: “Set” designer, motion graphics, videographer, editor