Black History

James Van Der Zee: Black Photographer Who Chronicled Harlem’s Heyday

James Van Der Zee (1886–1983) would have two careers in photography: locally, as Harlem’s photographer during the 1920s and 30s, and nationally, when his works from the same decades were featured in the exhibition ‘Harlem on My Mind’ at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2022

Oakland Post

James Van Der Zee self-portrait, 1918. Public domain image.

By Tamara Shiloh

James Van Der Zee (1886–1983) acquired his first camera at about age 14. He’d won it as a premium for selling pink and yellow silk sachets. He used the small box camera to photograph anyone who could sit long enough for a portrait.

In a short time, he had taken hundreds of photos, making him the de facto town photographer. Each picture incorporated his own distinctive flair.

Earlier though, Van Der Zee, born in Lenox, Massacxhusetts, had expressed an interest and talent in music and aspired to a career as a violinist. In 1906, he relocated to New York City with his father and brothers. Skillful at both the piano and violin, he formed the group The Harlem Orchestra. Still, his heart was in photography.

Around 1909, he found work as a darkroom assistant at a small department store concession. Six years later, he relocated to Newark, New Jersey, where he worked as a darkroom assistant and then as a photographer in a portrait studio.

That was his break, but in an unexpected way. He knew it was time to leave when he was told by his boss that no one wants his or her photo “taken by a Black man.” So, in 1916, he returned to Harlem and opened his own portrait studio at a music conservatory on 135th Street founded by his sister, Jennie Louise. VanDerZee was on the brink of becoming the most successful photographer in Harlem.

Harlem’s population was booming and works of African American artists of all genres were being noticed. Uptown residents wanted portraits, and VanDerZee began to photograph schoolchildren, church groups, wedding couples, funerals, organized parades, and legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissance.

Two years later, Van Der Zee opened the Guarantee Photo Studio in Harlem. Through photographs, he chronicled Harlem residents and their celebrations and continued for the next 40 years.

Van Der Zee would have two careers in photography: locally, as Harlem’s photographer during the 1920s and 30s, and nationally, when his works from the same decades were featured in the exhibition ‘Harlem on My Mind’ at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The economic strains brought on by the Great Depression (1929–1941) caused Van Der Zee’s income, as well as that of his customers, to decline.

The popularity of personal cameras had increased, directly affecting the need for studio photography. For the next two decades, he shot passport photos, did photo restorations, and took on miscellaneous assignments. But another door would soon open.

In 1967, photographers and photo historians rediscovered Van Der Zee’s works. His images were on display in nationwide exhibits as well as being the subject of books and documentaries. Van Der Zee then came out of retirement to photograph the celebrities promoting his work.

Some critics felt that there was no place in an art museum for Van Der Zee’s photos. Still, the rediscovery made him famous. In 1993, the National Portrait Gallery exhibited his work as a posthumous tribute to his genius.

Read more about James VanDerZee with your children: “Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!” authored by Andrea J. Loney with Keith Mallett as the illustrator.

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.