Los Angeles , California – February 23, 2010 —Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa presented a Certificate of Recognition to photojournalist William B. Jones in honor of his many contributions to the world of photography.
At age 75, Jones is one of the most successful African-American photographers still working today. This Los Angeles based image maker has photographed countless African-American entertainers, athletes, political figures, social activists and entrepreneurs. Some of his favorite subjects include, Sidney Poitier, Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy, Debbie Allen, Magic Johnson, Denzel Washington, Dick Gregory, John H. Johnson and Berry Gordy, just to name a few.
Recently, the United States Library of Congress in Washington D.C. acquired more than 50 images from Mr. Jones’ collection of work which will be preserved and housed as part of their universal collection documenting the history of African American contributions to our society. Jones’ photographs will be recorded as knowledge and research for future generations.
“The Bill Jones collection gives a face to those countless African Americans who picked up where John H. Johnson, Sammy Davis Jr., Hattie McDaniel, Miles Davis, Richard Pryor and others left off,” said Maricia Battle, curator of the Prints and Photographs Division of the U.S. Library of Congress. “By having these works by Jones available at the Library of Congress, future generations will know the names and faces associated with these African-American history makers,” she added.
For more than 40 years Jones has collected thousands of photographs representing immeasurable achievements of African-Americans. The non-profit Bill Jones Photographic Arts Foundation was organized to open his work to the public and to maintain a permanent archive for those seeking to learn about the life and work of this gifted man.
“One of the foundation’s goals is to create educational programs not covered by traditional school budgets. Using the art of photography for grades K-12, the program hopes to engage both teacher and student to see themselves as active agents involved in the meaningful connections between the past and present history and their own lives,” said Toxcina King, Executive Director of the foundation.
The foundation’s annual fundraiser and exhibition featuring a retrospective of Jones’ work is currently scheduled in association with Black Music Month on June 15, 2010 at the Skirball Culture Center, located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring a table at the event are encouraged to contact Ms. King at (213) 361-6476.
ABOUT THE BILL JONES PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS FOUNDATION: The Bill Jones Photographic Arts Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that raises funds to educate, inspire and engage the broadest possible audience through the collection, presentation and preservation of photographic images for the visual arts. For more information, visit www.billjonesphotographicartsfoundation.org.
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