The Story of Us displays Black Angelenos in several dimensions of their lives.
By Jason Lewis
Los Angeles legendary photographer Leroy Hamilton’s work was displayed at the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Henry P. Rios Gallery on the 3rd level bridge at Los Angeles City Hall during Black History Month, and will be coming to Leimert Park in June.
This exhibit features Hamilton’s photography work in entertainment, politics, and community engagements. With the current political climate that is coming out of the nation’s capitol, Hamilton is combating anti-Black rhetoric and policies that have swept the country.
“The exhibit started out focusing on L.A. politics, but after the start of this new (presidential) administration, I realized that if there ever a need to amplify the accomplishments of Black folk, it’s right now,” Hamilton said. “So I wanted it to be as Black as it could be. I went into my archives and pulled out a lot of images that hopefully will give any person of color a reason to stick their chest out as they walk across that bridge.
“The anti-DEI messaging coming from D.C., it’s really anti-blackness. There’s really no other way to frame it. So I want to really hone in on the fact that we are Americans. This is our country and we’ve made every contribution that we can to make it a great place for all of us. But we still are not receiving our due as citizens. This new administration is basically saying that anything that’s anti-DEI is in itself an attack on Blackness.”
Hamilton is honored to have this exhibit while Los Angeles Mayor Karon Bass and Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who are both Black, are both in office.
The Story of Us displays Black Angelenos in several dimensions of their lives — at home with family, in the conference room, on the court, in government halls of power, on the mainstage, in the streets, and in places of worship. It captures the fullness of Black life in Los Angeles. Hamilton seeks to restore the humanity behind Black faces that are often misrepresented.
Within Black photography circles, Hamilton is many photographer’s favorite photographer because of his body of work, his work ethic, and his ability to stay on top of innovation as technology has transformed the photography industry. Hamilton can be spotted at many Black events from high-end award ceremonies to community gatherings.
Hamilton has roots in Los Angeles that dates back several decades. His grandfather was a Baptist minister at a church on 47th Street and Hooper, down the street from Jefferson High School, and he had family in Watts. Properly covering Black communities in Los Angeles is important to him because positive stories usually do not make the headlines.
“Many times I’m covering things in the community where there was a hope or an expectation that there would be the L.A. Times showing up, or local television networks showing up with a news crew,” he said. “But the reality was that on the day of, nobody came. So the good news that happened in that space on that day were the people who were there. For a community starving for good news, to hear something positive, they did not get that because of the way media works. Especially when there’s so much downsizing (in media). So I started doing it myself. Social media came along at that time so I decided to use my space to put something positive in the universe.”
Follow Hamilton on Instagram to stay updated on the Leimert Park opening. https://www.instagram.com/photoham/
