Gordon Gordon Roger Alexander Roger Alexander

BuchannanBuchannan ParksParks

1912-20061912-2006

BiographyBiography

Youngest of 17 childrenYoungest of 17 children ““I had a mother who would not allow I had a mother who would not allow

me to complain about not me to complain about not accomplishing something because I accomplishing something because I was black. Her attitude was, ‘If a was black. Her attitude was, ‘If a white boy can do it, then you can do white boy can do it, then you can do it, too—and do it better, or don’t it, too—and do it better, or don’t come home.” come home.”

At the age of 25, Parks was struck by At the age of 25, Parks was struck by

photographs of migrant workers in a photographs of migrant workers in a magazine and bought his first camera, a magazine and bought his first camera, a Voigtlander Brilliant, for $12.50 at a Voigtlander Brilliant, for $12.50 at a pawnshop. The photo clerks who pawnshop. The photo clerks who developed Parks' first roll of film, loved his developed Parks' first roll of film, loved his work and prompted him to get a fashion work and prompted him to get a fashion shooting assignment at a women's shooting assignment at a women's clothing store in St. Paul. Parks double clothing store in St. Paul. Parks double exposed every frame except one, but that exposed every frame except one, but that shot caught the eye of , heavyweight shot caught the eye of , heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis’ wife. She boxing champion Joe Louis’ wife. She encouraged Parks to move to Chicago, encouraged Parks to move to Chicago, where he began a portrait business for where he began a portrait business for society women.society women.

FAMOUS WHY?FAMOUS WHY? Directed the movie SHAFTDirected the movie SHAFT Took photos for the Farm Security Administration Took photos for the Farm Security Administration

concentrating on issues of racismconcentrating on issues of racism Worked in Washington DC taking photos for the Worked in Washington DC taking photos for the

Office of War Information but was confronted with Office of War Information but was confronted with racism and quit. Moved to NYC and shot for racism and quit. Moved to NYC and shot for Vogue and Life magazines (their first African Vogue and Life magazines (their first African American photographer)American photographer)

Went on to direct and produce movies as well as Went on to direct and produce movies as well as writewrite

First African American to write, direct, and score a First African American to write, direct, and score a Hollywood movieHollywood movie

American Gothic

Two young girls at Camp Christmas Seals2

Duke Ellington at the Hurricane Club 1943