Beards have a very interesting history throughout many societies as well as humanity. They have been worn for functionality, cultural significance and style. Beards provided additional protection and warmth to the skin in harsh temperatures. Additionally, beards have been used to signify rank, position, title and prestige. They can represent manliness, strength, power, leadership, wisdom, conqueror and courage. However, these nouns and adjectives seldom describe black men in the United States and the beards they wear. The B.E.A.R.D.S. series came about when I lived in Chicago. As a portrait artist I am always fascinated with people’s faces and the stories behind their eyes .One day, in a barber shop, I started to look at the beauty of not only these beards, but the brothas that adorn them. Listening to their stories, their challenges, their struggles, all I could see are warriors, courage, wisdom, royalty, etc. So often, black men are vilified in this country; they become the source of entertainment while simultaneously become villains and victims of police brutality. The narrative of Black men as brutes and other racial stereotypes still linger not just in the US, but around the world. These portraits are to correct fallacies that have been passed on generation after generation. Brothas Endure And Rise Despite Systems are portraits of friends, colleagues and complete strangers that show the resilience of being a black man in this world. More importantly, despite the racism, the negativity, being treated consistently unfairly in the justice system; punished for speaking up themselves, their families and communities; and daily reminders that they have somehow become the bastards of this earth but still the envy of the world, these Black men continue to thrive.