Marta Azevedo: Juror’s Pick
I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where nearly half of the population is Afro-descendent. During my childhood, I spent summer vacation in the black neighborhood where my father grew up. His mother and siblings still lived there but my father’s family were the only white people around.
Because of this, I had the opportunity to experience black culture in many forms: Jongo (an African dance), Umbanda (an Afro-Brazilian religion) and Samba. I’ve carried these memories and experiences through my life.