Celebrating Black History Month: Honoring Gordon Parks

Celebrating Black History Month: Honoring Gordon Parks

This #BlackHistoryMonth, CBI highlights Gordon Parks, a groundbreaking photographer, filmmaker, and journalist whose work redefined Black representation in media. Parks used his camera as a weapon against injustice, documenting the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during a time of deep racial inequality.

Born into poverty and segregation in Kansas in 1912, Parks faced systemic barriers throughout his career. Denied opportunities in white-dominated industries, he taught himself photography and gained national attention with his powerful images of Black life in America. In 1948, he became the first Black staff photographer for Life magazine, capturing iconic images of the Civil Rights Movement, urban poverty, and Black resilience. His 1956 photo essay, The Restraints: Open and Hidden, exposed segregation’s harsh realities in the South, making a lasting impact on the public consciousness.

Parks didn’t stop at photography—he broke barriers in Hollywood as well. His semi-autobiographical film The Learning Tree (1969) made him the first Black director of a major studio film. He later directed Shaft (1971), a film that revolutionized Black cinema and reshaped Hollywood’s portrayal of African American heroes.

Parks’ legacy in broadcast media and visual storytelling is one of perseverance, representation, and truth. He proved that media could be a tool for social change, inspiring generations of journalists, filmmakers, and student storytellers to challenge injustice and amplify underrepresented voices.

At CBI, we celebrate Gordon Parks’ contributions and encourage student media to follow in his footsteps—using storytelling to inform, inspire, and drive meaningful change.

#CBI #GordonParks #BlackHistoryMonth #StudentMedia #VisualStorytelling #RepresentationMatters

*Photo is in the public domain and is from the U.S. Information Agency. Press and Publications Service. (ca. 1953 – ca. 1978) ( Most Recent)