Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr. — Image Activist: On Life and Meaning

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

6 years ago

Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr. is a photojournalist and image activist. He honed his craft on the front lines of America’s social justice movements, documenting people and events in cities throughout the nation. His social documentary work has been featured most notably at exhibits at the Levine Museum of the New South and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture. His work includes professional sports, concert, portrait, editorial and fashion photography. He has taken photographs for the NFL, NBA and NASCAR, and commissioned to take concert photography at multiple record-breaking dates of Jay Z’s 4:44 Tour. He is a recipient of Charlotte magazine’s 2018 Charlottean of the Year Award.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in photography, image activism, social justice, and showing up for change.

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IN THIS EPISODE

Alvin discusses image activism and photographs taken ‘through the lens of the people.’
He describes the ‘K(no)w Justice, K(no)w Peace’ exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South.
He addresses ‘benefiting’ from photographs of conflict and struggle that he has taken.
Alvin describes the ‘Welcome to Brookhill’ exhibit at the Harvey B. Gantt Museum of African American Arts + Culture.
He talks about growing up in Rockford, Illinois, how the city has changed, and what living in Rockford taught him.
Alvin discusses his father, step-father and mother and his relationship with them.
He considers how becoming a father at a young age changed his trajectory, and the ‘spaghetti junction’ of his life after high school.
Alvin shares why he is in a hurry to live and maintaining street credibility.