Community Heroes partner with communities to nominate heroes and pair local media makers to make portraits of the heroes, which are showcased during a community celebration. Community Heroes is a collaboration between artist Jasmin Chang and nonprofit Trellis, which connects organizations seeking social justice in the city. Alexis was a participating photographer making portraits of community heroes Mr. Eric Manson and Shawn Doyle.

The project aims to:
• highlight great stories already taking place in each neighborhood
• encourage viewers to take ownership of their community
• community build by networking local changemakers (often historic residents) with local storytellers (often new residents).

The goal of this project is to highlight the everyday citizens in often overlooked communities helping make their neighborhood better.

With a focus on people of color, we want to celebrate those residents that have been a faithful, stable presence through their volunteering, advocacy and devoted work to strengthening and supporting their community.

These are the people who would refuse to be called a hero, doing the work they know to be right, good and necessary as good neighbors and citizens. These are the people though, that so many in the community, would gladly affirm as heroic. These are the men and women, boys and girls who are not in the limelight, but that many know because of the blessing they receive through their labors.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Eric Manson is a father of three who uses his struggles as strengths in seeking to inspire and encourage at-risk teens. Having seen and experienced the effects of crime, prison and fatherlessness, Eric works with youth to warn them from experience about the dangers around them and but also the potential within them. An advocate for and mentor to students in Fort Greene, you can often find him serving at the Ingersoll Community Center or volunteering at PS 67.

Shawn Doyle uses his enthusiasm and energy to build up the youth at the Ingersoll Community Center by creating engaging and interactive programs. Doyle created U.B.I.E.S, which stands for united, brave, independent, educated students. This group focuses on being a positive influence and mentoring younger kids. Doyle strives to enrich the community and create a place where people can come together to enforce positive change in the lives of those around them.