MY CAMERA IS MY WEAPON (MCIMW)
Empowering the Next Generation Through Photography & Film
One of The Hip Hop Museum’s most impactful educational initiatives, My Camera Is My Weapon (MCIMW) returned to DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx this summer,
welcoming students from both DeWitt Clinton High School and Dream Charter School.
More than a photography and filmmaking program, MCIMW challenges young people to see their world differently. Through the lens of a camera, students learn to tell their own stories, explore issues affecting their communities, and discover the power of visual storytelling as a tool for self-expression and social change.
Led by Pamela French, Senior Content Producer at The Hip Hop Museum and Head Facilitator, this year’s program offered hands-on training in photography, filmmaking, editing, interviewing, and visual storytelling. With access to professional equipment and guidance from a talented team of industry professionals, including Johnny Nunez, J Boogie Love, Tima Rakhmatulin, Elai Tubo, and Brendan Patrick Ward, students created bold, personal, and socially engaged work.
Special thanks to The Hip Hop Museum for making this program possible, Kylerr Bucano, for his support throughout the program, and our partners at DeWitt Clinton High School and Dream Charter School for their collaboration.
The 2026 program ran from July 13 through August 13 and culminated in this public exhibition at The Hip Hop Museum’s Culture Lab in the Bronx, showcasing student projects and celebrating their creativity, talent, and unique perspectives.
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND MY CAMERA IS MY WEAPON
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.
Class of 2026
Sarah, Richie, Amina, Tiffany, Justice, Kaliyah
Class of 2025
DEANDRA, SHAVON, JAILYN, MRINAL, HALEEMA, AND MICHELLE
