""I knew there was a lot missing," Willis said at a recent ArtsThursday event at the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research. "I was encouraged by [curator and professor] Anne Tucker to continue thinking about it and continue working.""
"Twenty-five years later, Willis discussed the anniversary edition of the collection before a Harvard audience, delving into her personal history and that of Black photography in the U.S."
"Many photos included in Willis' original and updated book had been hidden or undeveloped before her efforts. Some were held by the relatives of photographers who had passed away. Others emerged unexpectedly from archives, where they had been lost."
"She began by showing a picture that a friend had noticed at a memorial service. It showed a large crowd at the funeral of pianist and composer Duke Ellington. In the front, holding a camera, was a young Willis."
Deborah Willis, a prominent photographer and historian, has dedicated her career to uncovering the contributions of Black photographers, which were often overlooked in historical narratives. Her landmark book, "Reflections in Black," published in 2000, showcases a diverse range of African American life from 1840 to the 20th century. In a recent talk, she reflected on the challenges of collecting and archiving photographs, many of which were previously hidden or lost. Willis emphasized the importance of preserving these images to enrich the historical record of Black experiences in America.
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