How a Portrait of DC Became a Window Into Affordable Housing

Winning portrait taken by William Rivas-Rivas.

In the short time that LEDC volunteers Mary Evans and photographer William Rivas-Rivas spent with Tenant Association President Tesfaye Lencho, the powerful impressions and stories that he left with both are soon to be shared with the greater DC community.

Sparkling eyes. Hopeful struggle. A committed member of the community.

A salute to DC’s diversity and cultural strength, the 51 winning photos from the “2010 Census: Portraits of DC contest” that debuted in Columbia Heights in late April are taking a short trip down the Green Line next week. The competition, which solicited portraits of area residents from local photographers, was designed to increase awareness of the 2010 Census through creative art.

On Thursday, June 24th at 2 p.m., the 51 portraits will be debuted on the N Street side of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  One of the 51 photos is of Tesfaye, taken by Rivas-Rivas.

“I just felt it deep in my heart,” Tesfaye said, recalling the moment when Rivas-Rivas took the picture and they joked about its chances of being selected. “I felt like it was going to win.”