Black Heroes

They are world heroes; they are their country's heroes. They are our heroes regardless of race. From dignitaries to entertainers, photographing the world's greats is a privilege not taken lightly and an art mastered by few. The archive below is just a small sample of rich Black History through my lens.

E. Lee White

To be in the presence of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was moving in itself. His normal conversation was soul-stirring. Capturing our Black Heroes is an honor. History documented, especially through photojournalism, cannot be erased, lost, or forgotten. When the souls of our warriors move on to their next assignment, photographic visuals keep their legacies in our recent memory. 

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou

At the Schomburg Center commemorating James Baldwin receiving his own US Postal Service First Class Stamp. $0.37. Maya Angelou, poetess and activist, is the first African American Woman to be featured on the U.S. quarter dollar.

Leslie Lewis & Loida Lewis

Leslie Lewis & Loida Lewis

Senator Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama

Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee

Johnny Cochran, Esq.

Johnny Cochran, Esq.

UNCF Gala

UNCF Gala

(L to R) Pauletta Washington, Ruby Dee, Indira Nooyi

Harlem week at Gracie Mansion

Harlem week at Gracie Mansion

The Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center

(L to R) Dick Gregory, Cornell West

UNCF Gala

UNCF Gala

(L to R) Denzel and Pauletta Washington

African Burial Grounds Celebration

African Burial Grounds Celebration

Diversity, Inc. Gala

Diversity, Inc. Gala

Professor Dyson, Keynote Speaker at the Diversity, Inc. Gala.

On the set of Unstoppable

On the set of Unstoppable

Schomburg Center

Schomburg Center

(L to R) Cornell West, Rev. Al Sharpton

Earl Graves Sr.

Earl Graves Sr.

Apple Store on Broadway and 66th

Apple Store on Broadway and 66th

Harry Belafonte

The Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center

Howard Dodson

Gotham Hall

Gotham Hall

L to R (David Dinkins, Susan Taylor)

UNCF Gala

UNCF Gala

Pauletta Washington, Cicely Tyson, Ruby Dee

The Schomburg (L) The Studio Museum Harlem (R)

The Schomburg (L) The Studio Museum Harlem (R)

Gordon Parks. The photo on the right at the Studio Museum of Harlem was taken on his 90th birthday.

Prince St. Film Set

Prince St. Film Set

Ossie Davis and Gordon Parks on the set of Unstoppable

Hotel Renaissance

Hotel Renaissance

The last remaining six of the first twelve Black Executives hired by major corporations in the history of the U.S. PepsiCo.