Bianca Rhodes

Lives and works in Minneapolis, MN, USA

Artist statement

I am Bianca Rhodes, Emmy Award-winning media professional and founder of BLovely Production and LeMae Photography. For more than 25 years, I’ve used film and photography to preserve culture, uplift Black and brown communities, and mentor the next generation of storytellers. My journey has been shaped by resilience. In 6th grade, a teacher mocked me for wanting to study Africa. I responded by creating the largest Africa project in class and later transferred schools. In college, I was told I was in the wrong place for a work-study at a production studio. And even today, people are surprised when I say, “I’m the producer.” These moments fueled my determination to build my own lane. My projects — from the narrative film Hidden Ties to Daughter of the Minneapolis Sound, to the #MNBlackLife photo exhibit — all resist erasure, honor heritage, and amplify Black voices. Through media workshops, I pass on skills and power to youth, ensuring our stories are never forgotten. I don’t just make media — I build legacy.

Artwork