The “Through Our Eyes: Reality, Resilience, and Change” virtual experience is one I will never forget, as it’s one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever worked on. Before signing up to be a part of this project, I had no idea about how virtual reality games and films were made, but after working on this project for a few months, I can understand how much work goes into VR projects and I am glad I was able to bring an idea to life through immersive storytelling and this could be something I would love to continue in the future. This virtual experience project explores the impact of racial profiling in different sectors of anti-Black racism. My project specifically explores the justice and law enforcement sectors, mainly the difficult choices faced during police encounters. It follows James, a young black boy who is wrongly stopped by a plain-clothed officer while returning home with medicine for his mother. At a pivotal moment, viewers get to choose between options to see how the interaction plays out. This project explores the themes of racial profiling, systemic bias, community solidarity, and many more. We find that James is innocent, yet his treatment is shaped by perception rather than truth. Developing this narrative also helped me better understand how interactive storytelling can be used not only as entertainment, but also to challenge assumptions and encourage critical reflection.

Working on this project challenged me to apply storytelling skills fostered at Concordia to this emerging medium. It allowed me to think beyond traditional filmmaking by considering how audience participation could influence the emotional impact of a narrative. I find that very interesting, learning these skills and contributing to the development of an immersive virtual reality experience that explores racial profiling, systemic bias, and community resilience through interactive storytelling. Following the experience, viewers(you and I) are invited to reflect on the themes of the project through an interactive poll and are provided with educational resources, community organizations, and information on individual rights and reporting options. The project aims to foster empathy, encourage dialogue around racial profiling and systemic bias, and empower viewers with knowledge that can support themselves and their communities.

Eniola Oyinloluwa is a Film Animation student at Concordia University with a love for immersive storytelling, animation, and interactive media. His work explores how emerging technologies such as virtual reality can be used to create meaningful, socially conscious experiences that foster empathy, encourage dialogue, and amplify underrepresented voices. He found out about the “Through Our Eyes” program from a friend and the school and saw it as a chance to bring life to his ideas. Through collaboration with the Black Community Resource Centre (BCRC), he combines narrative design, animation, and community engagement to create experiences that inspire reflection and promote social awareness.