About

Faces of Belonging is a collaborative art project that promotes belonging amongst individuals who live, work, and study in DeKalb, Illinois. Our community is inhabited by a rich network of diverse individuals, each contributing their own unique perspectives and varied life experiences to DeKalb. Our project honors the faces and voices of community members who work to create a sense of belonging. 

Our photographic portraits capture individuals that work to create a sense of belonging for others in our community. These portraits show each person in a place in DeKalb that creates a sense of belonging for them. Excerpts from our interviews share insight about each person’s life-story, the meaning of belonging, and how to create a sense of belonging for everyone in DeKalb. Whether that is through social justice work, promoting equity, mentoring, or ensuring the safety of our community, each of these individuals make DeKalb a more welcoming place to be.

These faces remind us...all of us Belong. 

Photographs by Amy Fleming and Jacob Rivera

In collaboration with Monique Bernoudy, Andy Dolan, Jennifer Groce, Paul Kassel, Jessica Labatte, Mariano Spizzirri, and Sophia Varcados

This project was funded through a Healing Illinois Grant from the State of Illinois Department of Human Services and the DeKalb County Community Foundation in partnership with Family Service Agency, City of DeKalb, Ellwood House Museum,  DeKalb County History Center, and Northern Illinois University to help co-create a culture of belonging in our community. A full list of belonging projects can be found at cityofdekalb.com

For more information, contact Paul Kassel at pkassel@niu.edu
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