While working in D.C. in the educational sector, Tufts alums Heather Rieman and Adam Levner found that it was very difficult to build political support around addressing inequities in public schools. Their shared frustration led Rieman and Levner to found Critical Exposure, an organization that gives at-risk students cameras and photography training to both show their lives and advocate for improvements in their schools and communities. 
“Critical Exposure students have been instrumental in achieving significant change within the education system as a result of their photos,” Rieman said. “They learn how to use photographs to make change. They use their photographs as an opportunity to speak with their legislators, testify at hearings, and engage the public and policymakers around issues that impact their lives.”
Through Critical Exposure, young people have been able to create compelling images that depict both the disparities and assets in the United States educational system, Rieman said.
“Photographs of bathrooms with broken toilets, classrooms with falling ceiling tiles and broken radiators, overcrowded hallways, guidance counselors with lines of students waiting to see them, and outdated textbooks, have shown the difficulties many students face,” Levner said. “At the same time, photographs of excellent teachers, students working hard, meaningful extra-curricular activities, and modern school facilities show positive aspects of public education that help students succeed.”
Since the organization was founded in 2004, Critical Exposure has expanded the depth and breadth of their programs. The organization recently co-launched the S.T.E.P. Up D.C. (Success Through Educational Progress) campaign, which has created a network of youth and adults that are working to lower D.C.’s high school dropout rate. In another project in D.C., students used their photographs to convince the City Council to provide $200 million per year to fund school repairs.
This past year, Critical Exposure collaborated with two other groups to hold “Through Your Lens: School Facilities Across America,” a nationwide photo and essay contest that received more than 400 submissions from students, teachers and advocates across the country. The winning photographs and essays were exhibited at the Capitol.
“Our D.C. projects have addressed an expanding range of issues, including everything from the need for more guidance counselors to the need for more beds at shelters for homeless youth,” Rieman said.
In addition to working in D.C., Critical Exposure has worked in six states across the country. In New Orleans, the five-year old organization gave students the opportunity to document public school conditions after Hurricane Katrina.
In response to one of the organization’s projects in Baltimore, the Maryland House of Delegates issued an official citation to Critical Exposure for their efforts to increase quality education for al students. Thanks to the students’ work, the Maryland General Assembly increased funding for school facilities by $100 million statewide.
Looking ahead, the organization hopes to reach more youth in communities across the country, while continuing to create new materials that will help create the public and political will for school reform and social change.
“It’s important for students to see that policy makers, politicians, and the overall community are receptive to their perspectives and that they have the power to make a difference,” Levner said. “By providing at-risk youth with a positive, proactive way to address problems in their schools and communities, we’re creating a new generation of engaged citizens who recognize that their voices and opinions matter.”
The organization is active in the Tufts community, hosting several Tufts students, including two Active Citizenship Summer (ACS) fellows. Additionally, Tufts Alumni in D.C have played an active role in volunteering at events, attending photography exhibits, spreading the word about the organization, and donating to support the organization’s efforts.
On November 12th, Critical Exposure will celebrate "Picture Equality: An Evening of Empowerment Through Photography." Their 2nd annual auction will give attendees the opportunity to bid on stunning photographs donated by world-class photographers while supporting programs for DC youth. Learn more at www.criticalexposure.org.
