Pick It up Together

My goal with this series is to show interaction between people, but also show the care that goes into keeping Akron’s community spaces maintained. I have a fondness for the idea of relationship building through community sports. As a young man, I served in the Army and built friendships through pick-up games during our off hours. It was a way to blow off steam and get to know each other outside of our day to day duties. Similarly, I see this happening in the neighborhoods throughout Akron. When I photograph, the people at these spaces are welcoming and genuine.

The photographs show how pick-up basketball games can bring together a diverse group of people. They highlight the bonds between people within a community through spectating, participation, and socialization. Community based sports teaches tolerance through inclusion and reinforces the importance of physical activity as an extracurricular.