JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — EVAC is a movement that started in Jacksonville but has since gained nationwide recognition.
The group is known to challenge the representation of young Black men by re-imagining hope. EVAC was born when students at Riverside High realized their experiences with racism, violence and loss were shared and they wanted change.
EVAC has been to the White House, Harvard and now the group is in L.A. being recognized by Oscar nominees.
The latest NFT work has put EVAC on the map in the metaverse. Organizer Amy Donofrio says she couldn't be more proud.
"EVAC's NFT 'DreamCrazyJITS' is being displayed in an exhibit across the meta in West Hollywood," said Donofrio. The DreamCrazyJITS collection debuted in January in an L.A. Art Show.
"What I want to put out there is directed toward the youth in Jacksonville. They matter, their voices matter, their voices are powerful and their changing our world from the city to the metaverse," said Donofrio.
"We also had the opportunity to put our t-shirts in Oscar swag bags that went to nominees yesterday," she said.
EVAC's Nicholas Shubert says he wants other young people to realize they can dream big.
"Use me as a testimony to keep going, this is about you all. Without you, there is no me," said Shubert.
"This shows that no matter what we as Black youth face at school or in the city, no one can stop our dreams... that's why DreamCrazyJITS is so important," said Shubert.
Donofrio made headlines about a year ago after refusing orders from Duval school officials to remove a Black Lives Matter flag from her classroom.