AJA Turns 25
1999
Record of Truth Project as a pilot project begins in Thailand upon Shinpei’s continuous visits to the refugee camps in Thailand from 1997.
2000
Shinpei engages in photography projects in refugee camps along the Thailand–Burma border, working with Karen displaced communities. This experience became the philosophical seed for The AjA Project.
The AjA Project is incorporated with co-founder Warren Ogden in San Diego.
2001
The AjA Project is established and receives 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation.
Record of Truth project is fully operational in Thailand with a local team led by Saw Hai Nay Htoo.
2002
San Diego JOURNEY Project is initiated in El Cajon and in City Heights. As the first grant was awarded from New York Funding Exchange and Sempra Energy to launch JOURNEY, a youth photography program serving immigrant and refugee youth from Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and other countries.
Disparando Cámaras para la Paz is started by another founding member Alex Fattal outside of Bogota, Colombia.
The AjA Project exhibits its youth photography work at the United Nations, elevating its international profile.
“Live in Transition” is exhibited at National Geographic Society Headquarters in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2003
2004
Same exhibit travels to UN headquarters in the lobby of Neimeyer building
Record of Truth expands to include both the “Borderline” project and a “Karen State”
Two AjA students travel to Washington D.C. to speak at UNHCR’s event.
2005
Inter+Section - exhibited over 100 photos in three languages through 1 mile stretch of University Avenue in City-Heights San Diego
Sandra Ainslie becomes the first Executive Director.
Re+Collect - exhibited over the entire facade of San Diego Museum of Us in Balboa Park featuring 24, 7x5 foot images.
2006
2007
IN+Grain - Public exhibition of photos in Southeast San Diego
2008
Coming up Taller award for excellence in arts and humanities youth program from US president’s office
El Barrio Progreso - a large public exhibition with Disparando Camaras para la paz
2009
Under+Stand 36ft x 144ft large scale public art exhibit opens at Liberty Station
Colombia’s Disparando Camaras para La Paz closes
2010
Launches Photo+City, a program that uses photography to help young people explore their communities and urban identity through a civic lens.
2011
Joins Speak City Heights, a media partnership focused on elevating community voices through multimedia storytelling.
2012
AjA moves into a larger space in City Heights, expanding its physical footprint.
Becomes a recipient of The California Endowment's 10-Year Building Healthy Communities (BHC) Initiative—a major milestone that supports sustained programming in City Heights.
2013
Melinda Chiment is appointed as the second Executive Director, ushering in a new era of strategic growth.
Story+Lines - a project engaging wider city heights public in bringing their collective memories
2014
2015
Begins a 4-year partnership with Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS), integrating AjA’s visual storytelling curriculum with alternative education.
2016
Helps co-launch BorderClick, a youth-led transborder photography and storytelling project exploring transborder identity and mobility.
Launches Collective Voices, a culturally-responsive program for refugee girls in partnership with the United Women of East Africa (UWEAST).
Hosts the first Collective Voices exhibition at MOPA (Museum of Photographic Arts).
2017
AjA exhibits community-based visual storytelling work at the San Diego International Airport, reaching thousands of viewers.
2018
Launches the Civil Liberties Program, using art to explore themes of surveillance, policing, and individual rights.
Hosts the first Civil Liberties Exhibition, featuring youth perspectives on justice and civic engagement.
Re-Entry through the arts program begins in partnership with the San Diego County of Education and The Juvenile Court Community Schools. -
2019
Re-Entry through the arts program culminates with an exhibit at 37ECB.
2020
Awarded the Innovations & Intersections grant from the California Arts Council (CAC)—a landmark grant supporting Countersurveillance project
2021
STEAM to go kit to support educators during the lockdown.
Acquire Riso machine for community workshops
2022
Shinpei Takeda returns as Executive Director, closing a full-circle moment from the project’s origins.
AjA relocates to a new space in City Heights.
Begins a counter-surveillance partnership with PANA (Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans), using art to resist digital and state surveillance.
2023
Sandra Ainslie, Justin Apger, Christina Chomut join the AjA board.
2024
Documents PANA’s Cultural Hub, focusing on community memory and advocacy.
Opens AjA Storefront, a flexible, public-facing space for exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings.
Launches Memoria Terra, a large-scale public art installation exploring memory, land, and displacement in City Heights.
2025
AjA runs it’s 3rd Civil Liberties program
Celebrates 25 Years of The AjA Project—a milestone anniversary marking its legacy of community storytelling, cross-border engagement, and youth empowerment.
