THE RHYTHM: MRS. MARY GRAHAM AIKEN

Short Doc • 14 min • PG
Directed by Juan Diego Roque

Logline

Step into the world of Mary Aiken by immersing yourself in her enchanting stories that reflect her personal triumphs, her boundless love for music, and her inspirational work with the youth in Jersey City. The Rhythm is a series focused on telling the stories and sharing the rhythm of creatives and entreprenuers.

Director and Founder of 3R

Diego

Diego is a filmmaker, documentarian, and the founder of 3R. He has captured and told the stories of many New Jersey and New York artists, musicians, businesses, and brands. Over the years, he has developed a catalog of personal work with a passionate focus on narrative filmmaking seeking to produce his first feature film and create an independent streaming platform with a strong community angle.

The Rhythm, a new 2026 series, opens with Mrs. Mary sharing her world: her Jersey City childhood, her love of music, and her path as a community leader.

  • The Rhythm is a storytelling series launching in 2026. In this installment, we step into the world of Mrs. Mary Graham Aiken, a lifelong Jersey City resident, post office worker, youth mentor, photographer, and blues singer.

    Through intimate conversation and archival photos, Mrs. Mary shares what it was like growing up in Jersey City, building a career at the post office, and pouring back into the community by working with local youth. She also opens up about her love of photography and how important music is to her.

    This episode is a living archive of Jersey City history and the rhythms of a woman whose voice, images, and music continue to inspire her community.

  • This installment of The Rhythm was created in collaboration with the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy and supported by the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, with Moore’s Lounge generously providing the space for Mrs. Mary’s interviews and story capture. The project was filmed over the course of two days in Jersey City.

  • Directed by: Juan Diego Roque
    Produced by: 3R (3R.studio)
    Cinematography: Juan Diego Roque
    Editing: Juan Diego Roque
    Sound & Mixing: 3R
    Interview, Research, and Moderation: Mandy Edgecombe, Nathalie Kalbach, and Chelsea Castro

    Photos courtesy of John Dunstan, Bob Albrecht, and Tony Scarpa

    Featuring:

    • Mrs. Mary Graham Aiken