On Aug. 17, at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation presented “A Life Through My Lens.” This free event showcased the work of six African-American males, ages 15 to 17, who were chosen to take part in a 10-week program presented by the organization and funded by Heinz Endowments.
Each program scholar photographed an African-American male he considered a positive role model. The event included a gallery-style presentation of their work, formal recognition of scholars, and an introduction of their mentors and program staff.
Roxanne’s Catering served hors d’oeuvres and desserts, while saxophonist extraordinaire Calvin Stemley provided the sound track.
The program for high school males, in its second year, helps them understand the power of photography and its role in Black male imaging.
Program scholars met each Saturday morning at Point Park University for 10 weeks through June, July and August to learn the basics of photography from mentor-instructors.
This year, special lectures included presentations on weddings, nature, sports, fashion and crime scene photography. Participants also studied the work of famous African-American photographers, had lively discussions about photojournalism and did field shooting. Their capstone project was to create a three-image photo essay for exhibition. The exhibit featured each scholar’s favorite photograph from his work during the program.
“Still Feel Like Going On” was created by former Post-Gazette writers Ervin Dyer and Monica Haynes as an offshoot of the “Feel Like Going On” exhibit and project they did more than a decade ago that involved local Black photographers telling untold stories of African-American life. Images from this year’s program are posted on a blog on the paper’s web site that was an outgrowth of “Feel Like Going On.”
“This program helps the young men understand that shooting with a camera is preferable to, and more powerful and productive than shooting with, say, a gun,” said this year’s program administrator, PBMF Treasurer-Parliamentarian LaMont Jones.
“Our program scholars came into a fuller awareness of what famed Black photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks was talking about when he spoke of a choice of weapons. They also gained a greater appreciation of the skill and persistence it takes to create a memorable photograph.”
The 2014 program scholars were Sovren Gray, Elijah Steave, Dorian Epps, Foster Owens, George Bryce and Richard W. Taylor II. Mentors were Carol Moye, Clyde Harris, Phillip Stephenson, Sean Means, Glenn Aldridge, John M. Butler II, Germaine Watkins and Kenneth Neely.
