Preserving the Legacy of Black Photography: Deborah Willis' Ongoing Quest

Deborah Willis’ journey as a photographer, curator, and historian was ignited by a lingering question she encountered during her time as a college student: Why are Black photographers so rarely integrated into the narrative of photographic history? This gap became starkly apparent to her while studying at the Philadelphia College of Art, where not only the creators but also representations of Black individuals were often marginalized in visual documentation.

“I knew there was a lot missing,” Willis remarked during a recent talk at the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research. Inspired by curator and professor Anne Tucker, she decided to dedicate her career to unearthing these hidden stories and images.

Willis, recognized as the University Professor of Photography & Imaging and Social & Cultural Analysis at NYU, made significant strides in addressing this void with her landmark 2000 work, “Reflections in Black.” The book serves as a rich anthology celebrating a diverse range of African American life spanning from 1840 into the 20th century. Now, 25 years later, she revisited the collection, reflecting on both her personal narrative and the broader history of Black photography in America.

The Pursuit of Archiving Black History

One particularly poignant aspect of Willis’ presentation revolved around her meticulous process of collecting and archiving photographs. The images featured in both the original and updated editions of her book were often discovered in obscure corners—hidden away or never developed, residing with descendants of deceased photographers or lost amidst archival collections.

A striking example she presented was a photograph captured at a memorial service for the celebrated composer Duke Ellington, where an unsuspecting young Willis, camera in hand, unknowingly documented history. “Of course, I lost my camera and the negative, so I have no record,” she said, expressing the significance of this unexpected rediscovery.

Willis shared her upbringing in North Philadelphia, a backdrop steeped in community and resilience. Frequenting her mother's bustling beauty salon, she witnessed firsthand the blend of joy and struggle that defined her neighborhood. “They shared moments of disappointment in their lives, but they also shared moments of love,” she stated, emphasizing the beauty within the struggles.

Her father's multifaceted identity—policeman, tailor, and veteran—also impacted her narrative. He embodied the desire to build a better future for his family, an ethos that filtered into her work. Sharing early photographs, from a childhood Christmas scene featuring her doll to poignant images of family and community, she articulated her long-standing connection to the themes of home and love within family narratives in African American history.

Unforeseen Discoveries and Their Significance

Excavating these photographs often presented formidable challenges. One notable instance wherein Willis sought to retrace a lost exhibition showcased the diligent nature of her research. After an exhaustive search at the Library of Congress, her persistence was rewarded when a librarian unearthed 350 photographs from African American photographer Thomas Askew, confirming that history can still emerge from obscurity.

In another instance, Willis recounted how she learned about a collection of glass plate negatives from Richard Roberts, which sat forgotten in the family’s crawl space for years. Such stories reveal a deeper narrative about preservation and the legacy of photographers whose works have captured the essence of Black life.

Willis also highlighted images that provide a more nuanced view of the past. For instance, a casual photo of young girls outside an ice cream parlor during the 1960s underscores a narrative often oversimplified to moments of struggle. “We had an opportunity to see that young girls were part of the marches,” she noted, “but they’re also having this casual afternoon, eating ice cream and sharing their moments.”

Impact and Continued Exploration

After her talk, Sarah Lewis, an associate professor of the Humanities and African American Studies at Harvard, applauded Willis for demonstrating the collaborative spirit necessary within the field. “You have created the world in which I teach from, that we are living in,” Lewis remarked, clearly moved by the history Willis is resurrecting.

Looking ahead, Willis remains committed to her mission of uncovering lost narratives. Recently, she stumbled upon previously unseen photographs of aviator Bessie Coleman from the Hooks Brothers commercial photography studio in Memphis. “Imagine all these photographs waiting in someone’s cabinet, in cards, and in family albums,” Willis reflected, hinting at the vast trove of history still to be discovered, as families continue unpacking their histories one image at a time.