People in America — Kaveh Rezaei

use The power of storytelling to create impact and change.

‘People in america’

There are points in my career that are near and dear to my heart, but a period that particularly stands out and I’m most proud of is a four-year span where I told many impactful stories. Back in 2016, I pitched the idea for a new visual series for the Voice of America, called ‘People in America.’ This series focused on telling ‘America’s Story’ through all walks of life. I teamed up with a producer colleague of mine who would later become a dear/close friend, Marsha James, to travel across America and tell the stories of diverse folks who are adding to the fabric of this great country. These included artists, public servants, immigrants, philosophers, innovators, and more…

‘People in America’ allowed for us to step into people’s homes to share their amazing stories with the world. An experience that changed me as a creative, a storyteller, and as a human being. I truly believe learning about all walks of life is one of the most beautiful experiences in life, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share this with my dear friend Marsha, for over four-years.

To better paint a picture of what ‘People in America’ is, and to express the power of visual storytelling, take a look at our video below.

‘Telling America’s Story’

It’s truly amazing to hear the story behind each person. We all go about our lives and notice faces as we walk by, but if we had a chance to stop and have a candid talk with an individual their image would become more vibrant and detailed. That’s what this series has done for me, as a human being, and I can’t help but feel grateful that so many people gave us the opportunity to step into their lives. They opened up to us, told us their life stories… the struggles, the achievements, the sacrifice, and how they are better people because of it.

I think learning about all these amazing people has made me learn more about myself. I appreciate candid moments more than I used to, and I pay closer attention to details, body language, gestures, and expressions. It’s also made me a more patient person since each individual is different and communicates differently, and that’s a beautiful thing… since we’re all different yet similar at the same time.

‘People in America’ has shown me that America is comprised of all types of people, genders, races, colors and this collection in itself has shaped this country. Telling America’s story started out as an opportunity, but ended up being eye-opening and life changing in ways I can’t even describe. So, I hope you all enjoy these PIA pieces as much as we’ve had crafting them.