Teaching youth the enchanting beauty of photography and the power of photojournalism.
We are dedicated to documenting the plight – and triumphs - of Black and Brown people in Los Angeles, New Orleans and throughout the world.
At a Watts Labor Community Action Committee facility and a Tulane School of Architecture Urban Build modern house, students tell their own stories, sharing through photographs and words, their vibrant world. We will be celebrating our budding young artists with exhibitions of their work, at venues throughout Los Angeles and New Orleans.
Alongside photography, our programming prioritizes exposing these young artists to a couple of often overlooked important pieces of literature and provides group therapy for the spirit and soul.
A note from our director
“Empowering young people to tell their own stories is what I care deeply about. Photography, and photojournalism in particular, is a powerful choice of weapons for self determination, empathy and understanding. This foundation has been 30 plus years in the making. My dream is deferred no longer. It is built on the love and respect that I have for all people who have struggled the hardest to live and be treated with dignity.”
—Clarence Williams, Founder & Director
Our ultimate goal is to have a permanent home, where these activities can take place in perpetuity.
Please help us kick off & sustain The Iris Photocollective Foundation as we celebrate the vibrant, historical communities in Los Angeles and New Orleans. Your donation is more than appreciated, it’s a blessing.
Thank you for your tax-deductible gift.