"History in Their Hands: Black Photographers in Cleveland, Ohio, 1968 - Present" is the inaugural exhibition for the African American History Gallery at the Western Reserve Historical Society's Cleveland History Center. The exhibit will feature the works of Van Dillard, Gina Gayle, Jimmy Gayle, Amanda D. King, Mychal Lilly, and Charles J. Pinkney.
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Since the 1960s, photographers have documented the optimism associated with expanding opportunities in the fine and performing arts, sports, and entertainment--and gains in civil, social, political, and economic rights for some. At the same time, a rich body of visual evidence also documents frustration with programs and policies that promised but failed to address persistent poverty, racism, housing shortages, segregation, unemployment, violence, and human rights violations, among other issues. "History in Their Hands: Black Photographers in Cleveland, Ohio, 1968 - Present," the inaugural exhibition for the African American History Gallery at the Western Reserve Historical Society, will include studio portraits, family and community events, such as activities associated with the work of religious, fraternal, benevolent, and professional organizations education, healthcare, entertainment, journalism, and the visual arts; social justice movements and political activism; and Black cultural nationalism as expressed in jazz, funk, soul, gospel and other musical styles that comprise the soundtrack for the subject era.
