Being a Southern African American woman, I am deeply invested in the racial, socio-economic, and educational landscapes within the South. I want to use my academic knowledge and work experiences to tell untold stories and create awareness that leads to long-lasting and impactful change within the region.

I am fully dedicated to capturing and preserving lived experiences and cultural histories through mixed media, photography, and video. Combining my gaze with personal and historical insights, I strive to highlight perspectives that enlighten, educate, and enrich others by telling stories using archival materials, like photos, letters, and journals, mixed media art, photography, and film. My ultimate mission is to create compelling visual narratives that connect the past to the present, evoke emotions, and inspire personal reflection.

Visit Dr. Hawkins’ website here.

FILM

Fragile

Palimpsest of Strength: Personal Journey of Resilience

My work uses palimpsest as a metaphor for resilience, illustrating that strength is built through overlapping experiences. Journals, letters, photos, video, and layers reveal how past challenges inform the present and remind one of the importance of reflections in personal growth.

The Quiet Keeper

The Quiet Keeper highlights Ms. Jean Green’s lifelong stewardship of safeguarding memory and narratives to create safe spaces for all. Filmed in Utica, MS, this film highlights the unseen labor of Black Librarians. Learn more about this project at vividdoc.com.

Director/Producer/Editor: Dr. Cassandra Hawkins, Vivid Doc

Featuring: Ms. Jean Greene, Utica, Mississippi

MIXED MEDIA

Echoes of Her Words

Echoes of Her Words is a visual tribute to familial legacy and memory, layering a photograph of my grandmother with handwritten letters to evoke the presence and wisdom of past generations. Learn more about this project at vividdoc.com.

FURTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2025

New Roster Artist – Mississippi Arts Commission

39th National Child Nutrition Conference – Dr. Hawkins presented “CACFP Archeology: How ICN Preserves the Past to Nourish the Future.”

4th Annual Faculty & Graduate Student Forum on Race & Ethnicity – Dr. Hawkins presented “Palimpsests of Strength: Examining Resilience Among Southern African American Women.”