Critical Exposure

Paul Robeson said it decades ago…and it’s still true.

At some point each of us must pick a side. Everyday youth in DC choose to resist harmful narratives, document their stories and organize for change. We will always pick their side.

Stand with us.

🔗 Link in bio to learn more about our work.

This isn’t a war zone…so why are they here?

Meet Mikaia P., 11th grader from DC, who captured this powerful moment through her lens as part of Critical Exposure’s Stories for Action, Spring 2026 program:

“UNTITLED” by Mikaia P., 11th Grade

“The National Guard inside Insomnia Cookies turns a normally casual and cozy spot into a reminder of how major events and public unrest can affect everyday life in the community. This picture exemplifies the infiltration of the national guard in our community, but it also shows that they are human, and this task is often just an employment opportunity, which should reduce popular opinions that paint them individually in a negative light.”

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At Critical Exposure, we believe DC youth deserve the tools to document their world, raise their voices, and spark real change. Photography is that tool. Students like Gloria are proof of what’s possible when young people are given the space to create.

📸 Follow along as our students share their DC, one frame at a time.