World Photography Day, celebrated annually on August 19, is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a global stage for photographers to share their stories with the world. This year, we extend our deepest gratitude to photographers who use their lenses to portray the truth, beauty, and complexity of Black and Brown lives. We honor the artists who, through their craft, capture our stories’ richness, inclusion, and three-dimensionality.
The harmful caricatures of African Americans, which emerged during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, were often marked by traits of laziness or inaction. These distorted images ingrained negative stereotypes into the American consciousness. However, photography became a powerful tool for self-expression and social change. It allowed Black people to reclaim their image, presenting their lives with dignity and authenticity. Even today, this work continues to be vital.
Among the luminaries in this field, we significantly recognize visionaries Jamel Shabazz and Howard T. Cash. This year, they, along with the Black Photographers Collective and The Black Eyes Collective, hosted a gathering to transcend the ordinary. Their work consistently embeds within every frame the dignity, resilience, and vibrancy of Black life. As chroniclers of our collective journey, they ensure that overlooked and untold stories are shared positively and with the reverence they deserve.
Shabazz, Cash, the Black Photographers Collective, and The Black Eyes Collective united on August 17, 2024, for a momentous event. This gathering, intentionally held on Marcus Garvey’s birthday, was a prelude to World Photography Day. Photographers, journalists, musicians, illustrators, writers, models, designers, creatives, and entrepreneurs came together for an occasion inspired by the iconic “A Great Day in Harlem” photograph. This visionary group birthed “A Great Day In Brooklyn,” a reimagining and a declaration of unity, creativity, and the boundless potential within the community. It was a collective celebration of our shared legacy and the future we continue to build together. The final photograph will be presented in a new book and can be located on Instagram (@jamelshabazz).
We thank all photographers who, through their lenses, elevate our experiences, challenge perceptions, and honor the diversity of our narratives. Your work is not just art but an essential chronicle of our truth, time, and history. Thank you for sharing your world with the world.
Monique (Mo) Glover is an award-winning NYC-based fashion designer and instructor. After designing for large retail brands, she launched her label, ZYEM NYC, named after her son. ZYEM has been highlighted by WGSN as a trendsetting brand to watch because of its responsible cultural collaborations. Rooted in her Black American heritage, which has spanned the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens since the 1940s, Monique’s work is inspired by her experiences coming of age in NYC, global travels, and the inter-generational style she observes in her son, Zyem, and his friends.
