Satchel Lee on the Beauty of Storytelling & Juneteenth

Profile

Satchel Lee is busy carving out her own lane. When the New York-based photographer isn’t snapping campaigns for Tory Burch and Official Rebrand or digital covers for Numéro magazine, she might be found in front of the camera for Rodarte or directing music videos for artists like Sofía Valdés. “I love telling stories and I love people,” says Lee, who follows in the footsteps of her trailblazing filmmaker father, Spike Lee and producer mother, Tonya Lewis Lee.

“Within our community there is such an emphasis on representation, as we historically have not been able to tell our own stories in the mainstream,” says Lee. It’s one of the things that motivates her artistic and storytelling perspective. “I honor my African American culture by being myself,” she says. “For me, as a queer Black woman, it’s important to put my own perspective out in to the world to say, yes — Black people can also be this.”

Ahead of Juneteenth, we caught up with Lee to talk about what the day represents for her, how she has honored it and her ancestors in the past, and how she’s celebrating this year.

RI
What does Juneteenth represent for you?
SL
Juneteenth is a chance to celebrate my ancestors and my community. It’s important because my identity is such a huge part of who I am. Black people in America are diverse. We’re from all over the world and come from countless rich and vibrant cultures. But being an African American (which I define as a descendant of enslaved Africans brought to the United States) means that I come from an orphaned people. We were cut off from our own histories, traditions and identities. I used to get jealous around Carnival or the Puerto Rican Day Parade because I felt like there wasn't a chance for me to express my pride. But now on Juneteenth we sit with this idea and consider who we are, knowing where we came from.

“I felt like there wasn't a chance for me to express my pride, but now on Juneteenth we sit with this idea and consider who we are...”

RI
How do you normally celebrate Juneteenth?
SL
In the past, before the pandemic, I’d host dinner parties to celebrate Juneteenth. I love bringing people together. Holding space for my friends and I to acknowledge the beauty and brilliance of who we are feels good.

“I'm excited that this is a holiday that is being recognized and celebrated more widely now”

RI
How do you plan to celebrate the day this year? And what excites you about it?
SL
I'm sure I'll get together with my friends. Summer in New York is the best, so I'd love to be outside, under the sun with the people I love. I'm excited that this is a holiday that is being recognized and celebrated more widely now. I just hope it doesn't turn into a huge corporate cash grab like Pride. Nobody wants to be pandered to.