This paper examines the life and career of Bob Black, an African-American photographer born in Chicago in 1939 who worked as a staff photographer at the Chicago Defender and Chicago Sun-Times. Beyond his journalism career, Black actively contributed to social equality and the professional development of Black artists and journalists. The paper highlights his published work in major magazines and books, his participation in collaborative photographic projects documenting the African-American community, and his founding role in the Visual Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists. Black's multifaceted engagement—combining professional excellence with community activism—demonstrates how individual artists can advance both their field and broader social progress.
Bob Black was born on June 4, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. When great social struggles involve professionals and artists, they often contribute not only their money but also their time and work toward creating a more equal environment. Black would become such a figure. After graduating from a Chicago public school, Black briefly attended Woodrow Wilson Junior College before beginning his professional career.
Black's first work as a professional photographer began in 1965 when he joined the Chicago Defender as a staff photographer. The Defender was the largest newspaper in the country to be owned by African-Americans, and by association, Black's employment entered him into the struggle to achieve equality for all Americans. The publication had been involved in this struggle since its founding in 1905.
In 1968, Black left the Chicago Defender to join the Chicago Sun-Times, advancing his career at one of the nation's major metropolitan newspapers. However, in 1993, Black was fired from the Sun-Times for misuse of company resources. Specifically, he had made unauthorized use of the company's Federal Express account and external photo lab, which the company claimed cost them more than $1,400. Black's defense stated that very few of these uses were for personal purposes and that none brought him any personal financial gain.
The dismissal was not permanent. In February 1994, an arbitrator intervened on Black's behalf. After meeting with the paper's union, the arbitrator determined that dismissal was excessive. Black was reinstated to his position; however, he was not granted back pay for the year in which he received no income from the company.
Beyond his newspaper work, Black actively pursued other photographic projects. His work has been accepted and displayed in prominent publications including Glamour magazine, Time, the New York Times, the Newhouse Newspaper Chain, and Jet magazine, as well as numerous specialty publications.
Black's commitment to documenting and celebrating African-American life led to his participation in several major collaborative efforts. In 1990, he was one of 50 photographers selected to contribute to the book Songs of My People, a collection depicting life within the Black community throughout the United States. His work also appears in The African-Americans and We Come This Far by Faith.
Black participated in group exhibitions throughout the United States and served as co-director of "Journey...The Next Hundred Years," a photographic project representing the collective effort of 25 Chicago-area African-American photographers. The project focused on documenting the Black community in Chicago since the beginning of the 21st century. The exhibit, which included 250 images, opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art in February 2001.
In addition to his photographic work, Black joined several professional associations to further opportunities for Black artists and journalists. He became a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and served as a co-founder of the Visual Task Force (VTF), an association created specifically to focus on training and promoting the work of visual artists. Black is also a member of the Leica Historical Society of America (LHSA) and the Chicago Alliance of African American Photographers (CAAAP).
The Visual Task Force was created in 1990 in direct response to calls from within the NABJ for an organization dedicated to visual artists. Since its founding, the VTF has greatly enhanced training opportunities and professional advancement for visual artists across the country, expanding access and recognition for photographers and other visual media professionals.
"Integration of professional excellence and social commitment"
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