MY CAMERA IS MY WEAPON (MCIMW) RETURNS TO NEW YORK CITY!
One of The Hip Hop Museum’s most powerful and transformative education programs, My Camera Is My Weapon (MCIMW) is back this summer at DeWitt Clinton High School, in the Bronx, New York, and it’s already making a major impact.
This innovative program puts cameras in students’ hands and challenges them to see their world differently. Through photography and filmmaking, MCIMW empowers young people to express themselves, tell their stories, and engage with real issues in their communities.
Led by Dr. Andre Mountain, Director of Education, and Pamela French, Senior Content Producer and Head Facilitator, this year’s program offers hands-on training in shooting, editing, and visual storytelling. With access to professional equipment and guidance from a talented team of mentors—including Johnny Nunez, JBoogie, Tima Rakhmatulin, Elai Tubo, Templeton Wright, Brendan Patrick Ward, and Elizabeth Meister—students are creating bold, personal, and socially engaged work.
The program runs from July 7th through August 15 and will culminate in a public exhibition, at The Hip Hop Museum’s Culture Lab, in the Bronx, showcasing student projects and celebrating their voices. The exhibition will be open to the public.
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND MY CAMERA IS MY WEAPON
Dr. André Benito Mountain – Director of Education, The Hip Hop Museum
Dr. André Benito Mountain is an educator, author, and cultural strategist who blends Hip Hop, literacy, and social justice to reimagine learning. As Director of Education at The Hip Hop Museum, he leads curriculum development, youth programming, and national partnerships that bring culture into the classroom.
He is the author of five books, including Pawn Takes Rook, The Hip Hop Literacy Lab, and Follow the Leader: A Principal’s Journey Back to the Classroom. Dr. Mountain teaches reading and writing in metro Atlanta and is a professor of education at SUNY Old Westbury. In 2024, he was recognized as an EPIC Educator by the Center for Model Schools for his innovative, culturally responsive approach to education.
Pamela French – Senior Content Producer, The Hip Hop Museum | Lead Instructor, MCIMW
Pamela French is a New York-based independent producer and director who began her career in the 1990s as a Hip Hop music video director, creating over 50 videos during the golden era of the genre for artists such as LL Cool J, MC Lyte, and Run DMC. Known for her intimate, fly-on-the-wall documentaries, Pamela’s work captures raw, authentic stories with cultural impact.
She currently serves as Senior Content Producer for The Hip Hop Museum and lead instructor of My Camera Is My Weapon, a youth media program that empowers students to use film as a tool for activism and social change. Her film credits include Becoming More Visible, Listen Smart (now housed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), and the short A Female Lens: The Art & Activism of Photographer Joan Roth.
J Boogie – Photographer | Visual Storyteller
J Boogie is a New York City–based photographer known for her powerful, personal images that span the worlds of art, fashion, music, culture & hip hop. She has traveled to nearly 100 countries, capturing life with authenticity and depth.
Her natural eye and ability to deeply connect with her subjects have made her a sought-after visual storyteller. Whether shooting in the Bronx or Bangkok, J Boogie brings humanity and honesty to every frame. For her, it’s never about the glory—it’s always about the story. Inspiring to inspire, and be inspired.
Johnny Nuñez – Celebrity Photographer | Cultural Icon
Brooklyn-born Johnny Nuñez is one of the most recognized celebrity photographers in Hip Hop and entertainment. With over 25 years behind the lens, his work has appeared globally via Getty Images and has been viewed more than 2 billion times.
Nuñez is known for his respectful presence and signature rapid-fire shooting style, capturing stars like Nas, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Drake, and LeBron James. In 2022, he became the first Afro-Latino photographer honored by the Grammys and the Black Music Collective. His image of Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars was named one of CNN’s “2022 Year in Pictures.” As Nas famously said, “Johnny Nuñez got all the pictures.”
Timur Rakhmatulin (Tima) – Multimedia Producer | Videographer
Tima Rakhmatulin is a multimedia producer and creative strategist who uses visual storytelling to explore history, identity, and cultural memory. With a background in film, photography, and digital media, he creates content that bridges generations and brings underrepresented voices to the forefront.
As a member of The Hip Hop Museum’s creative team, Tima contributes to archival documentation, exhibit development, and narrative production. His collaborative, culturally grounded approach ensures that every project he touches reflects both depth and authenticity. Whether working with students or institutions, Tima uses media to educate, inspire, and empower.
Brendan Patrick Ward – Filmmaker | Director
Brendan Ward is a filmmaker and director known for emotionally resonant, visually striking storytelling. His work spans both narrative and documentary forms, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and human connection. His directorial credits include Here for Us (2022), It’s Me, Have You Seen Her? (2019), and the short film Nothing.
Brendan’s films are recognized for their depth, authenticity, and powerful character-driven narratives. Alongside his independent work, he partners with cultural institutions like The Hip Hop Museum to document and elevate stories from within the community. With a keen visual style and a deep passion for storytelling with purpose, Brendan creates work that informs, moves, and inspires.
Templeton Wright – Cinematographer | Founder, Black Circuit Media
Templeton Wright is a Brooklyn-based cinematographer whose path into video production began in 2016. Originally working as a live sound engineer, he took a Production Assistant job between gigs—and never looked back. He’s since contributed to projects for Paramount, Food Network, BuzzFeed, Condé Nast, Mass Appeal, and more.
Templeton’s creative process is driven by his sharp eye for detail and a passion for crafting compelling visual narratives. That dedication led to the founding of his own company, Black Circuit Media. Whether behind the camera or overseeing full productions, Templeton brings both high-quality visuals and a high-quality collaborative experience to every project.
Elai Tubo Producer – Producer | Mix Engineer | Audio Curator
Elai Tubo is a Queens-based producer, engineer, and educator whose work lives at the intersection of Hip Hop, youth empowerment, and visual storytelling. With a background in both education and digital media, Elai is dedicated to creating transformative learning environments that center student voice and cultural identity.
As an audio curator, teaching artist, and program facilitator with The Hip Hop Museum, Elai plays a key role in youth programming and media-based education initiatives like My Camera Is My Weapon. Through film, photography, and community engagement, he helps young people discover their power as storytellers, creators, and agents of change.
Elizabeth Meister – Filmmaker | Editor
Elizabeth Meister is an independent filmmaker and editor known for crafting stories that move people and spark action. With experience ranging from network television to grassroots movements, she is a creative problem solver with a gift for turning raw material into meaningful media.
Her wide-ranging body of work as a director, producer, and editor includes:
• Advocacy campaigns for nonprofits and political candidates
• Documentary, news, and nonfiction for broadcast, cable, and film
• Trailers, promos, and fundraising videos for corporate, nonprofit, and institutional clients
Elizabeth brings both heart and craft to every project, with an unwavering commitment to storytelling that matters.
Kylerr Bucano – Strategic Program Manager | Digital Media & Community Engagement
Bronx-born and raised, Kylerr is a lifelong Hip Hop enthusiast whose love for the culture was sparked at an early age—thanks to his father’s legendary block parties and weekend music sessions before basketball practice. He earned a Master’s in Social Work from NYU and began his career at SoBro, helping young adults earn their GEDs.
In 2016, Kylerr recognized the need for a stronger social media presence at The Hip Hop Museum and stepped up to fill that gap. Since then, he has played a central role in growing the museum’s digital reach and building a global online community. He now serves as Strategic Program Manager, where he continues to expand the museum’s impact through programming and media.
Emily Hernandez – Archives & Collections Assistant
Emily Hernandez was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from the University of Redlands, where she pursued an interdisciplinary degree through the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies. There, she designed her own major in Cultural Preservation and Transmission, which she completed in April 2024.
Emily joined The Hip Hop Museum as an intern in the summer of 2024 and now serves as the Archives and Collections Assistant. Her work supports the preservation of Hip Hop’s legacy by helping to organize, maintain, and document the museum’s growing archive of cultural materials.
THIS YEAR’S MCIMW 2025 STUDENTS
DEANDRA, SHAVON, JAILYN, MRINAL, HALEEMA, AND MICHELLE
