Library Photo Exhibit Shares Stories Of African American Males

Chris Seigel

This past spring, photographer Jerry Taliaferro shot portraits for an exhibit commissioned by the Center for Black Literature and Culture. Taliaferro is based in North Carolina, and this is the second photography project he’s worked on for the CBLC.

“Most of the subjects in this exhibition are African American males from the Indianapolis community. They are your neighbors, friends, coworkers and fellow citizens. Their stories are your stories,” Taliaferro writes in his artist statement.

Those photographs are currently on display at the Central Library in the exhibit “Sons: Seeing the Modern African American Male.” Accompanying each portrait is a video interview with the participant.

Fred Yeakey, vice principal of culture and mission at Providence Cristo Rey High School, was selected for the project.

He says the exhibit celebrates family, unity and humanity, “the purest essence of what we are and the gifts we all have.”

“I, myself, just want to go around and listen to all of these stories, these -- I like to say the word 'testimonies' -- of how these men became who they are and how who they are is still defined by what they do,” Yeakey says.

“Sons: Seeing the Modern African American Male” will be in Central Library’s South Display Hall until Oct. 31. It is free and open to the public during library hours.