Aisha Johnson, 16, Central City, New Orleans. Grew up playing on Shakespeare Park across from Magnolia Projects. Met Aisha on her way to a game. She was walking down the street in her warm up pants and shirt.

I grew up playing around boys. Being a girl and playing for a girls team I get different treatment, but it doesn’t hurt me. Playing with the boys has challenged me more than playing with girls. I use to get called a tomboy but it takes courage to play with the boys. The boys used to say I bet you can’t make it and then I would make a three pointer and I would make it and shut them up. When I am mad I play better.

When Katrina hit a lot of things changed. I stopped playing, but now that I am back I am playing for a team for the first team. After Katrina I had to make a lot of new friends in Texas, meet new people, live somewhere else you don’t know.

Interview by Will Steacy

All photos courtesy of -Wyatt Gallery
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