The Exhibit
As part of the celebration, the accompanying exhibit, Capturing the Moment: The Jazz Photos of Bill May, was curated by Tom Ankner of the Charles F. Cummings New Jersey Information Center and was on view throughout Black History Month through April 2023. Bill May, whose photography spans decades of Newark history, has a digitized collection available through the library—view the collection here.
The Programs
The 2023 Black History Celebration program series, presented by the James Brown African American Room, explored the theme The Black Photographer: Our Image in Our Hands. In this series, we honored Black History Month with a powerful celebration of photography as both an art form and a tool for self-representation, storytelling, and historical preservation. The programs highlighted the work and voices of Black photographers who have captured the richness of Black life—from intimate community moments to major cultural milestones. Through four dynamic programs, we explored the legacy of jazz photography in Newark, held space for local creatives, examined Black representation in media, and uplifted the photographers who document and preserve Black life across generations.
Capturing the Moment: The Jazz Photos of Bill May
Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6 PM
We opened our Black History Celebration with a tribute to the legendary Bill May—musician, educator, and photographer—whose lens has captured the soul of Newark’s vibrant jazz scene. This special in-person program marked our first Black History Month opening event since 2019 and featured a panel conversation with Bill May himself, Wayne Winborne (Executive Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University–Newark), and Dorthaan Kirk (NEA Jazz Master and Newark’s “First Lady of Jazz”). Together, they explored Newark’s musical legacy, the role of photography in preserving cultural history, and the stories behind Bill May’s iconic images.
Brick City in Focus: A Conversation with Newark Photographers
Saturday, February 11 at 2 PM
In this vibrant conversation, four Newark-based photographers shared their work and their visions of the city they call home. Kay the Kreator (@kaythekreator), Gary Campbell (@the_artist_recreates_the_world), Chrystofer Davis (@dolo_foto), and Jazz (@shotbyjazzmin) showcased their unique approaches to visual storytelling, community, and artistic expression. From candid portraits to documentary-style scenes, their images reflect the beauty, resilience, and complexity of Newark and its people.
Spaces and Places: Black Photographers in the Media Landscape
Wednesday, February 16 at 6 PM
This panel explored what it means to be a Black photographer navigating the fast-paced world of media and popular culture. Featuring Douglas Adams Jr. (@dadamsjr) and Norman De Shong (@ndeshong), the conversation touched on their experiences capturing everything from high-profile athletes to political leaders. They reflected on the responsibilities that come with shaping public image and the challenges and opportunities of working in spaces where Black visual narratives are often underrepresented.
Black Life in South Jersey: Wendel A. White & Linda P. Shockley in Conversation
Thursday, February 23 at 6 PM
Renowned photographer and historian Wendel A. White joined Linda P. Shockley, President of the Lawnside Historical Society, for a conversation about documenting Black history through photography and community storytelling. White discussed projects such as Red Summer and Small Towns, Black Lives, which illuminate the lives and legacies of Black communities in South Jersey and beyond. Together, they also reflected on their work chronicling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the ongoing importance of preserving Black history for future generations.
The 2023 Black History Celebration program series was presented by the James Brown African American Room (JBAAR)!
Check out other Black History Celebrations
