THE MILE PROJECT

VISUAL STORYTELLING

COMPASS & LIGHT

Professional videography and photography services
that equip nonprofits to educate and inspire.

THE MILE PROJECT PORTFOLIO HIRE US NEIGHBOR SERIES COMPASS & LIGHT NEIGHBOR SERIES

VISUAL STORYTELLING

FOR NONPROFITS

Professional videography and photography services
that equip nonprofits to educate and inspire.

PORTFOLIO HIRE US

FOR NONPROFITS

Story Matters

– WHO WE ARE –

We are a nonprofit organization that provides professional video and photography at affordable prices for charities. Whether a nonprofit is local or global, large or small, a church or a foundation, we exist to help share their stories and further their missions.

Learn More About Us

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– OUR IMPACT –

500+
CHARITIES SERVED

1000+
VIDEOS PRODUCED

50
COUNTRIES FILMED

WE WOULD BE HONORED TO HELP TELL YOUR STORY.

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Before landing in Belize, Logan Anderson had never

Before landing in Belize, Logan Anderson had never been outside of the country — and the wave of humidity that hit him as he got off the plane was a not so gentle reminder that he was far from home. That knowledge, however, was what Logan needed for a week of serving Belizean communities.

The high school junior is part of Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA), a Charlotte-based nonprofit dedicated to granting Black high school and college students with service and leadership opportunities. Along with 21 other juniors, Logan loved on the communities of the south side of Belize City by sharing groceries with residents, distributing shoes and helping build a home for a resident who lost her house during a hurricane.

“We were constantly helping. We were constantly serving. We were never just doing anything for ourselves,” Logan said.

Logan and his peers knew they would leave Belize with informed perspectives and changed hearts. Moriah Smith wants to be an actress, and her experience serving in Belize was a powerful reminder of why to fight for her career — and prioritize love above anything else.

“I’m gonna do what I love to do so that I can push my love out there so other people can feel it,” Moriah said.

When her parents couldn’t afford to keep her in

When her parents couldn’t afford to keep her in school past sixth grade, Rosibely Sut fought to continue her studies. And now, she’s fighting for other Indigenous Maya women to make their own life decisions, too.

Rosibely works as the Mobile Health Coordinator for Wuqu’ Kawoq, a Guatemalan nonprofit dedicated to serving the country’s Indigenous Maya women by providing them with quality, accessible healthcare. Half of Guatemala’s population is Maya, and due to barriers such as language, culture and socioeconomic backgrounds, most of the country’s Indigenous Maya population receives inadequate healthcare treatment when they go to hospitals — if they can even access one. For pregnant women, misinformation, stigmas and familial pressure often prevent them from seeking out hospitals or clinics, and they instead rely on themselves or their families for support and care throughout their pregnancies.

“The patients have these fears and think, ‘I’ll be alone and I’m going to feel vulnerable in the hospital,” Rosibely says.

Rosibely’s job is to help mitigate their fears and educate them on reproductive and maternal health. She’s in charge of a team of midwives who serve in various rural communities, providing their patients with consultations and routine checkups, including ultrasounds. By building trust within the communities, Rosibely helps other Indigenous women like herself to know their bodies and empowers them to be in control of their health, instead of leaving it up to their society and families.

“This is what I hope to see in the future, that the women in my community can make their own decisions about their own lives,” Rosibely says.

Great Britain isn't the only place that has a Lond

Great Britain isn't the only place that has a London Bridge — though it may be the most famous. However, in a small neighborhood on the south side of Belize City, there are hundreds of London Bridges.

London Bridges — as the neighborhood is referred to locally — consists of a trail of wooden bridges that branch off and connect to each residents' home. Primarily a neighborhood for immigrants and low-income Belizeans, London Bridges is an overlooked area of Belize City, and its residents have noted feeling forgotten by the city's government and the surrounding population. The bridges were constructed by local residents in order to connect the community to the nearest main roads, and to each other.

Belize's version of London Bridges are smaller and wooden, but just as likely to fall down. The neighborhood has a “you break it, you fix it” mentality, and residents are often found repairing parts of the wooden maze outside of their neighbors' homes. Despite the neighborhood's estrangement from the rest of the city, its residents prioritize remaining connected to each other, and with each makeshift bridge constructed, the neighborhood — and its interconnectedness — grows.

At times, Makayla feels like she’s the only teen

At times, Makayla feels like she’s the only teen mom out there — the only teenager who goes home after school and mixes baby formula while studying for a test, or takes a break from doing homework to change a diaper.

However, she’s constantly reminded that she’s not alone.

One Thursday night each month, Makayla brings her daughter, Aaliyah, with her to Club, a gathering hosted by YoungLives where teen parents can eat dinner, catch up with friends and play games — and just be teenagers. Volunteers watch the children while teens relax and let themselves have fun in an inclusive and supportive atmosphere.

A division of YoungLife, YoungLives is dedicated to supporting teen parents in Charlotte through mentorship, after-school events and community. And since joining YoungLives, Makayla has felt the love radiating from the community she’s found there.

“Even if you don’t have a support system, they’re always there for you,” she says. “They taught me things that I didn’t know of mom life, walked me through a lot and I know that I have people who are there to push me to be a great mom.”

Considered one of the countries with the greatest

Considered one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity on Earth, Guatemala is home to thousands of precious species of flora and fauna — but the country faces daily threats to its natural environments.

From climate change and extreme weather events to over-exploitation and criminal activity, Guatemala’s natural resources are constantly threatened and in need of protection. Without the dedication of local organizations, thousands of Guatemala’s species would be lost.

Our team is excited to spend this week serving Defensores de la Naturaleza, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting Guatemala’s threatened ecosystems. With visits to some of Guatemala’s protected parks and forests, we’ll help share the story of how Defensores develops educational projects on sustainability, collects data on native species and collaborates with local communities to implement practices that conserve the environment they inhabit.

Whenever each of her students walks into the class

Whenever each of her students walks into the classroom, Kathryn Lewis can’t help but think of one thing: how beautiful it is that they exist.

It’s a constant refrain in her head that reflects on her philosophy on teaching: that a student, before anything, is made in the image of God. And as a teacher, her role is not to give them this identity — it’s to help the students uncover it for themselves.

“I’m not some special person giving them something special; it’s already in them. It’s already there,” Kathryn says.

As an English Language Arts teacher at Brookstone Schools, Kathryn aspires to do more than just transfer information into her fifth graders. Through literary classics like epic poems, Shakespearean plays and African American literature, she transforms her classroom into a haven of art, beauty and curiosity — and hopes that by being exposed to literary masterpieces, they can then recognize themselves as God’s own masterpieces.

“For every single one of them, they are known and they are loved — and they have a purpose and a reason for being here,” Kathryn says.

Four hundred and twenty-six days ago, the lives of

Four hundred and twenty-six days ago, the lives of over 23 million women in Ukraine changed indefinitely. Displacement, fear and loss became very present realities when Russian forces invaded their country. But over a year since the invasion, women in Ukraine have found avenues of hope.

Despite the daily challenges of living in a war-torn country, Ukrainian women are making business endeavors and financial investments to bring hope to their families and communities. They’re also finding support through trauma counselors, who aid them in processing the emotional trauma that comes with living through a war.

As part of our Women in Focus event series, Silent Images is inviting a representative from Hope International to discuss microfinance among Ukrainian women in an informative and encouraging atmosphere. We’re also inviting an on-the-ground trauma counselor to discuss supporting Ukrainian women throughout the war, and contribute to an overall conversation on faith, hope and resilience.

To become part of the conversation, join other women on Sunday, April 30 from 3-4 p.m. at Brakeman’s Coffee in Matthews, NC.

Click the link in our bio to register for the free event.

Correction: Our previous post stated that the event runs from 4-6 p.m. The event runs from 3-4 p.m. The correction is included in the caption and graphic.

Jazz has grown as a multicultural art form, but it

Jazz has grown as a multicultural art form, but it was born in America — and a group of young musicians from Charlotte are working hard to continue its legacy.

As one of the educational programs that comprise JazzArts Charlotte, Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Student Ensemble is the newest offering of JazzArts Academy. With Nuestro Tiempo, Charlotte-area middle and high schoolers can learn how to apply Latin rhythm and percussion to their musical repertoire.

Latin jazz is a “bridging of different worlds together,” says instructor Julio Jeri, and he stresses the importance of programs like Nuestro Tiempo that encourage collaboration among students and strengthen the presence of jazz in Charlotte.

“My hope for the students is that they realize that the community needs projects like Nuestro Tiempo,” Julio says.

Andrea Serech technically works from home — but

Andrea Serech technically works from home — but not in the pandemic-era way one would expect.

She’s the owner of a small bodega, a miniature convenience store set about five steps from her front door. The store faces a street that goes through the small rural town of Chuatzunuj, located on the outskirts of the bigger city of Tecpán, Guatemala. The back door faces an exposed hallway connecting Andrea’s kitchen to the bathroom.

Andrea doesn’t remember exactly how many years ago she started the store — “about five or six,” she says — but she remembers clearly what it looked like. Only the glass display and some lotions could be found in Andrea’s store when she opened it. Now, the walls and display are covered with snacks, clothing and Indigenous fabrics that she purchases each Thursday from the market in Tecpán.

The store is Andrea’s main way of supporting herself, and she hopes that the bright colors, sweet and sour candies and draw of a humble neighborhood convenience store continues to bring in local customers — and with them, her income.

Nena Ugwuomo says that wealth is like a garden: th

Nena Ugwuomo says that wealth is like a garden: there may be seeds, but without fertile soil or the right amount of water and sunlight, those seeds won’t grow. And her goal is to help young people of color start gardens.

To Nena, Student Dream is a ministry of reconciliation. The nonprofit’s mission is to train young people of color to build wealth by teaching them about finances — what interest is, how to use a credit card, what it means to take out a loan. Generational poverty and systemic racism has put boundaries up for young people of color when it comes to financial success, and Student Dream aims to break down those barriers.

“I’ve really been asking the question, what would it look like to restore everything that the sin of racism has destroyed economically for Black people?” Nena says.

Money matters, she says, and it’s what allows people to care for themselves and their families and add value to the world. Student Dream’s courses on financial success, entrepreneurship and fundraising offer practical ways to start breaking down the boundaries systemic racism has created — especially in communities of color.

“Where there has been desolation and drought, I want to see economic gardens in every Black and brown community across the world,” Nena says.

Each morning at Brookstone Schools in Uptown Charl

Each morning at Brookstone Schools in Uptown Charlotte, a chorus of young voices repeating “I Am Somebody” echoes throughout the hallways.

Before class starts, the fourth grade students of Brookstone Schools recite a poem written by Judy Brooks, a fourth grade English and language arts teacher at the school. Inspired by professional educator Rita Pierson, Judy wrote the poem to help her students feel empowered and worthy of the education they receive.

“I needed something for my students to recite that would be meaningful, relevant, and meet them where they were,” Judy says.

The Christian school aims to make private education affordable and accessible to under-resourced families, and its students bring a diversity of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to the classroom. The poem reminds Brookstone’s students of their identity and purpose as students, and though poem recitations aren’t required as part of the school’s curriculum, “I Am Somebody” remains a core tradition of Brookstone Schools.

We are honored to team up with the Luis von Ahn Fo

We are honored to team up with the Luis von Ahn Foundation to continue supporting nonprofits doing good work in Guatemala. From marine and wildlife conservation, to women’s empowerment and healthcare for families in under-resourced communities, nonprofits are making a difference in Guatemala’s cities, mountains and coastlines, and we are joining the foundation in furthering their missions by sharing their stories.

There is a deep richness in Guatemala’s culture that stories are born out of, and we’re excited to serve many nonprofits throughout the year that are working to preserve the country’s culture, history and resources.

These are faces of strength, of wisdom, of beauty

These are faces of strength, of wisdom, of beauty and of love. They represent resilience through hardship and hope for what’s to come. They are our mothers and our teachers, creators and providers. They are our inspiration — and today and every day, we honor the women of the world.

Poémia came about in a dream — one of a wedding

Our team is headed to Guatemala, where we’ll spe

Our team is headed to Guatemala, where we’ll spend a week capturing the stories of Indigenous women and girls in rural Maya towns.

In Guatemala, Indigenous women and girls are marginalized. More than 60% of the country’s Indigenous women live in poverty, and half of them don’t know how to read or write. We’re honored to serve nonprofits that focus on empowering Indigenous women and girls by providing them with opportunities to expand their education, learn about reproductive health and amplify their voices.

Every fall for nearly 50 years, young students ent

Every fall for nearly 50 years, young students entered the doors of Plato Price School, ready for the next nine months of learning. But one fall in the late 1960s, the students didn’t arrive — and the area stayed empty for years, used only for storage before the building was demolished in the ‘80s.

Now, after decades of being unused, the land at 4201 Morris Field Drive is preparing to once again be a source of community for Charlotte — this time in the form of affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity received ownership of the land in 2018, and the organization will use it to develop The Meadows at Plato Price, a development of 39 affordable, single-family homes. The land, which has been neglected for years, now offers hope to the surrounding community — and former Plato Price students, as well.

“I think it’s going to be a boom to that community,” Dr. Hoover says.

Knowing the land will be the home for multiple families brings hope to Plato Price School alumni, who also found their family behind the doors of the school.

“It makes my heart beat differently to know that now, rather than just look at an empty field, I’m going to see people with homes and with children for our future,” Nellie says.

Dr. Eddie Hoover was still a teenager when he firs

Dr. Eddie Hoover was still a teenager when he first made history — and he did it again just a few years later.

Before becoming a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Hoover was the first Black student from Charlotte to attend University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and after that was the first Black student to intern at Duke University Medical Center. But before all of his accomplishments, Dr. Hoover was just Eddie Hoover, a Charlotte native attending high school at Plato Price School.

Dr. Hoover was no less successful in high school than as an adult: He was a two-time national champion with Plato Price’s drill team, and was hoping to win his third championship when the team placed second during his junior year.

They never had the chance to compete again.

“We were looking forward to reclaiming our title ‘til they closed us down,” Dr. Hoover says.

Plato Price was more than a school for its students — it was a family. Whether they became doctors or dentists, artists or teachers, Dr. Hoover and his classmates remember their roots — and the family that supported them from the start.

When Nellie Ashford slides open the door to her st

When Nellie Ashford slides open the door to her storage unit, she’s greeted mostly by memories of her high school — but it’s not yearbooks, ‘50s records or sentimental letters she finds.

Nellie is an artist, and after her high school was shut down in 1966, she committed to preserving its legacy in her paintings.

“I tried to depict everything that went on at that school during that time because nothing was written about the school,” Nellie says.

Located in west Charlotte, Plato Price School was one of Charlotte’s four schools for Black students before desegregation closed its doors in the ‘60s. It was where hundreds of Black Charlotte natives, like Nellie, who overcame the inequalities of a segregated system, received the education that turned them into successful doctors, artists and politicians.

To honor Black History Month, we’re sharing the stories of two Plato Price alumni who represent a piece of the school’s legacy — and, in turn, Charlotte’s.

If it weren’t for the care from strangers and Te

If it weren’t for the care from strangers and Tenwek Hospital, Emmanuel wouldn’t be alive today to share his story.

Emmanuel was 6 years old when his aunt kidnapped him. He remembers seeing the stars and the moon as she carried him through the woods and led him to the place where she’d try to kill him. Two strangers noticed him in a pit on the side of the road and helped him to a nearby house, from which he was transported to the hospital.

Tenwek Hospital is a 361-bed hospital in the rural highlands of Kenya. The hospital offers primary health care to a population of over 600,000 in the greater South Rift region of Kenya and serves as the main surgery center for more than 8.5 million people.

Emmanuel spent two months in the ICU at Tenwek. 25 years later, Emmanuel is still in the hospital — but as a chaplain, not a patient. He graduated from the hospital’s School of Chaplaincy in 2008 and now serves people in the same position he was once in.

Emmanuel remembers how impacted he was by the chaplains that prayed by his side — the hope and comfort he felt from their presence.

“That is the reason, the main testimony, that I am back to Tenwek, to serve here in Tenwek,” Emmanuel says, “to serve patients to give them also that hope.”

Every morning when Malcolm Parsley leaves his home

Every morning when Malcolm Parsley leaves his home, he walks past a sycamore tree so large he can barely wrap his arms around half of the trunk. 63 years ago, the tree was just a sapling — and symbolized the start of his new life in South Korea.

The sycamore tree isn’t the only thing Malcolm has planted in South Korean soil. When he was 27, Malcolm came to South Korea with the mission to share the gospel in Seoul and throughout the country. He started multiple churches and mentored students and faith leaders, which he continues to do at 90 years old.

The sycamore tree symbolizes Malcolm’s promise to spend the rest of his life serving God through the people he meets in South Korea — and as it grows, so does Malcolm’s influence in communities throughout the nation.

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