Gordon Roger Alexander Buchannan Parks

1. Gordon Roger Alexander BuchannanParks 1912-2006

2. Biography • Youngest of 17 children • “I had a mother who would not allow me to complain about not accomplishing something because I was black. Her attitude was, ‘If a white boy can do it, then you can do it, too—and do it better, or don’t come home.”

3. At the age of 25, Parks was struck by photographs of migrant workers in a magazine and bought his first camera, a Voigtlander Brilliant, for $12.50 at a pawnshop. The photo clerks who developed Parks' first roll of film, loved his work and prompted him to get a fashion shooting assignment at a women's clothing store in St. Paul. Parks double exposed every frame except one, but that shot caught the eye of , heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis’ wife. She encouraged Parks to move to Chicago, where he began a portrait business for society women.

4. FAMOUS WHY? • Directed the movie SHAFT • Took photos for the Farm Security Administration concentrating on issues of racism • Worked in Washington DC taking photos for the Office of War Information but was confronted with racism and quit. Moved to NYC and shot for Vogue and Life magazines (their first African American photographer) • Went on to direct and produce movies as well as write • First African American to write, direct, and score a Hollywood movie

5. American Gothic

6. Two young girls at Camp Christmas Seals2

7. Duke Ellington at the Hurricane Club 1943