When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the 2020 Design Catalyst cohort was midway through a six-month program aimed at catalyzing their business growth.
Each year, DESIGNxRI runs a competitive application process to create a cohort of design businesses based in Providence that will receive grant funds (between $10,000 and 20,000, thanks to the City of Providence), business mentorship and business development trainings (thanks to Real Jobs RI) to grow their businesses. At the end of each program, called Providence Design Catalyst, the business owners get to show off their amazing work at an in-person showcase event surrounded by political, community and business leaders.
As a way to supplement the loss of this important, in-person event, the 2020 cohort designed an alternative with DESIGNxRI leadership: an online photo story series to highlight their businesses and share their success. This collaborative effort was created by members of the cohort, with a photographer from the group taking the portraits, a videographer shooting and producing a video and each designer submitting content, virtual video, photos and more to round out the material.
The series is being presented through DxRI’s marketing channel, Design is Rhode Island. Rhode Island Inno is excited to co-present this innovative story series. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll highlight these great Rhode Island designers and help you get to know the diverse and wide ranging talent here in lil’ Rhody.
Tell us about your company!
My name is Jonah M. David and I am a filmmaker and videographer. I love to help folks represent what is meaningful to them. My focus is on healing — through mindfulness, art, and social justice.
What’s the story you are telling through your business?
In our day and age, video is part of the fabric of daily experiences and how we represent ourselves. It can mirror back and create culture, help us connect with one other, and pass along wisdom to future generations. It can tell short stories, be a portrait, a poem, a riddle, hold a song, hold a dance. It can honor people, honor the earth. Video today is ubiquitous and can be done easily, instantly, and endlessly. But to do it justice, it takes intention, patience, and care. Video is not sitting around a fire telling stories but it can make you laugh, and it can make you cry & most importantly it asks us to pay attention to life as it unfolds, all of which makes us human.
How has the Catalyst program impacted your business?
With the support of the Design Catalyst, I have been able to significantly expand my filming and editing rigs, as well as clarify how and why I create work.
One of the gifts of the program was the time to watch films, talk to my filmmaking friends, and really get to know what it is that this medium has to offer us. It gave me space and energy to situate myself within the form, and hone in on and acquire the right tools to make.
What’s the most important aspect of being a business owner?
What are we here for, except to learn how to take better care of one another?
Finish this sentence! When I’m not creating I’m...
When I am not making films, I grow veggies, sit silently, and make pizza.
How has living in Rhode Island influenced your work?
We live in a special place. You can bike to the beach or the woods, and eat delicious food with low-key vibes. What else could one ask for?
What draws you to Providence?
People in this town see that all is not well in our social condition. There is grief and frustration and lives at stake, and there are movements here to push for what is right and true. Oppression has been part of our human legacy, and there is nothing more imperative than its dismantling. I have seen the uncompromising efforts of organizers here to work for the marginalized. People are willing to see that if we carry on as usual we will destroy each other and the planet. Only through the community, expanding the horizons of our love and understanding, can we see our interconnectedness.
What has it been like creating during this time?
For a moment, this moment was a pause and reset. Now, it is a time to make, in many ways more than ever. Remembering to do so with grace and taking the time to appreciate what matters.
What’s your biggest takeaway from 2020 so far?
It has always been true, evermore now on the surface, as my Grandmother said, “ya nevah know.”
