Words are just part of telling a great story. In the 10 years that we have put out The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Black History Month series, we also paid close attention to how we told these important stories through photography, video, art and even music.
Our team of photographers, videographers, artist and editors understood the assignment. Here is some of our best work.
The Photos
In 2023, AJC photographer Arvin Temkar began a journey. He wanted to spend several months with legendary Atlanta mortician Willie Watkins. Arvin spent three months behind the scenes at Willie Watkins’ Funeral Home, attending services, following employees on their daily duties and talking to bereaved families, to capture some of the artistry and soul that goes into a homegoing.
Arvin’s photo essay captured the heart of the Black funeral rite and won a couple of awards, including second place in the 2024 feature picture story category of the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar competition, an international photojournalism competition. Check out the full story here.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
The game of bridge is hard. It requires smarts, cunning and a mental agility that is difficult to comprehend. Natrice Miller did a good job decoding it, when she followed a group of Black seniors who have made bridge a part of their lives in 2023.
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Hyosub Shin, known for his sports photography and deftness in using drones, took a step back in 2023 to study how Black people, especially Black women, have used their hair as a form of resistance.
Credit: Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com
Credit: Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com
In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency order showing that lead and other pollutants from a metal processing plant may pose an “imminent and substantial” danger to the public. Environmental experts said it could be the city’s next Superfund site, requiring a massive cleanup. Retired AJC photographer Steve Schaefer captured the pain in Ellis Smith’s face as workers excavate his Vine City yard to remove dangerous lead.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Between 1983 and 1986, the United Kings, a legendary graffiti crew, sparked Atlanta’s hip-hop and street art legacy. They got back together in 2024 and Jason Getz traveled with them through tunnels and back alleys in search of a fresh canvas.
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Jason Getz
Ellery’s Night Club and Lounge in southwest Atlanta is a people watcher’s paradise and the textbook definition of “old school.” Patrons say Ellery’s attracts the “grown and sexy.” There’s definitely a “grown, down-home” vibe in the place.
Credit: Olivia Bowdoin
Credit: Olivia Bowdoin
The Videos
Once upon a time, every AJC Black History Month story had a short one-minute video attached to it. It was a short and sweet glimpse into the story.
We eventually took a different approach and focused more on deeper storytelling through a series of mini-documentaries. Like this one on the 100th anniversary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
In 2024, we were able to get Sue Ross, the hardest-working photographer in Atlanta, to sit down for a few minutes to reflect on her craft.
We explored Georgia’s rich Gullah Geechee to learn the origins of the song “Kumbaya.”
We hung out with the Impact Church Worship Team to hear how “Movin’ On Up,” one of television’s most enduring theme songs, motivates and inspires Black America.
There are few better actors in Atlanta than Afemo Omilami, who when he isn’t acting in movies or on stage is helping run Hosea Helps. When we discovered a 1865 letter written by former slave Jordan Anderson to his former master, who was begging him to come back home, we could not think of a better person than Omilami to recite it. We knew Omilami could convey Anderson’s pain, eloquence, sarcasm and resistance when he read “To My Old Master.”
Credit: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
And this is one of our favorites. Yes, because it is about “Rapper’s Delight.” But it also features an amazing cameo by our dear Jovita Moore, the late WSB-TV anchor, proving that she could throw those bars.
The Music
Speaking of “Rapper’s Delight,” we did a lot of stories about music and musical artists. With all of those stories, we included a curated playlist to provide a sample of why it matters. And whenever we did a story on a musician, we always featured a playlist. Here are a few.
Songs of Resistance.
Louis Armstrong.
Outkast.
Ella Fitzgerald.
The Art of Ric
As you can imagine, everything doesn’t always go as planned. For each story, we try to find original or archival images to help tell the story. Or rare occasions, neither is available.
That is when we call Ric Watkins. Ric is the AJC’s senior platforms producer. But he moonlights as an illustrator. Here is some of his best work for Black History Month.
Georgia’s Mount Rushmore of Music.
Credit: Ric Watkins / AJC
Credit: Ric Watkins / AJC
Credit: Ric Watkins
Credit: Ric Watkins
Vivien Thomas: The Black man who saved ‘blue babies.’
Credit: Ric Watkins
Credit: Ric Watkins
Crispus Attucks’ role in early America remains a question, but most celebrate him as hero.
Credit: Ric Watkins / AJC
Credit: Ric Watkins / AJC
ABOUT THIS SERIES
This year’s AJC Black History Month series, marking its 10th year, focuses on the role African Americans played in building Atlanta and the overwhelming influence that has had on American culture. These daily offerings appear throughout February in the paper and on AJC.com and AJC.com/news/atlanta-black-history.
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