The Jim Alexander Collection

05/15/2026

05/13/2026

See rare images of Romare & Nanette Bearden, Maynard Jackson, Shirley Franklin, Xernona Clayton, Ojeda Penn, John Riddle, Thomas Byrd, Jomandi Theatre, Toni Cade Bambara, Michael Lomax, Carol Mitchell-Leon, and more!

•••

While the archival photography in "The Neighborhood Arts Center: More Than Just a Dream – Archival Photographs by Jim Alexander" offers a window into our past, there is nothing quite like hearing the stories from the voices of those who lived them.

Join us on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History for a special panel discussion that goes beyond the frames. We are bringing together some of the pioneers who were there at the inception and the height of the NAC — the visionaries who built a sanctuary for Black art in Atlanta.

The panel and Q&A features Jim Alexander, Alice Lovelace, John "Kole" Eaton, and Stephanie S. Scott; moderated by Dr. Candy Tate.

•••

https://www.thejimalexandercollection.com/so/65PuYOhdt?languageTag=en

05/11/2026

Some gifts carry a moment. Some gifts carry a lifetime.

Jim often tells the story of Navy Boot Camp in 1952 and the yellow box that introduced him to photography. A fellow sailor who owed him money from a dice game disappeared into the barracks and came back with a Brownie Hawkeye Flash camera instead. Jim began taking 50¢ portraits of fellow sailors with that camera, never knowing it would become the start of his legendary life behind the lens.

So days ago, when a young filmmaker surprised him with that very same kind of camera decades later, it was special moment between a veteran documentarian and an emerging artist who understands the journey.

Thank you for your kindness, Tim! And keep on shootin’ 📸🖤 ()

05/03/2026

The future isn’t just something we help young people prepare for, it’s something they help us see through their curious eyes.

Jim spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Auburn Avenue Research Library with the next generation of photographers, and a few participants from the Helene A. Mills Senior Center’s photography class. Ron Smith, executive director of Sound Education Experience, brought the group to tour Jim’s exhibit, “Neighborhood Arts Center: More Than Just a Dream.” SEE provides immersive arts experiences for Atlanta’s 8th-11th graders, and its 8-week photography program culminates in an exhibit of the students’ work.

Thanks for a great talk, guys! Learn more about SEE and how you can support at https://see-us.org

(Jim’s exhibit will be on view through May 30. Come on by!)

atlantahistory

05/02/2026

Alexander Anderson family

03/18/2026

Happy 93rd Birthday to Mrs. Myrlie Evers-Williams.

Mrs. Evers-Williams has devoted her life to advancing justice, preserving the legacy of her husband, Medgar Evers, and continuing the work of the Civil Rights Movement. Her courage, leadership, and steadfast commitment to truth and equality continue to inspire generations to carry the work forward.

We celebrate her remarkable life and legacy today.

02/13/2026

Jim Alexander’s lens has witnessed 60 years of Black history. Hear the stories behind the lens and the story behind the man — a history maker in his own right — on CBS Atlanta Mornings this Friday.

Thanks to , the cameraman Corey, Dr. N’Kosi Oates and the wonderfuo team at Emory! Catch Jim’s segment between 6-7am on CBS Atlanta Mornings, local channel 69 and streaming online!

02/10/2026

The Jim Alexander Collection reaches generations. Enjoyed seeing my mentee, his son, and family at my book signing. Thanks for your support, Cal! 🖤

01/31/2026

From the civil rights movement to , the fight for justice continues. Jim Alexander has witnessed it all.

See 60 years of resistance through the lens of Jim Alexander in “SOS: Signs of Struggle,” now at . Come grab your copy of “SOS” at the book signing 2-4 pm on Feb. 7!

•••

Big thanks to the APEX Museum & all who made it a great opening!

📸 :

humanrights

11/06/2025

Information is power. And while our power doesn’t stop at the ballot box, that’s certainly a good place to start.

•••

Tonight’s 2026 gubernatorial candidate forum by ’ was informative & well done. Study up! And stay engaged. The election of our next governor is just a year away.

•••

10/03/2025

Thanks to Ernie Suggs and Natrice Miller at UATL for the excellent feature!

A Getty Foundation grant to Emory will allow Jim Alexander's photographs -- documenting more than 60 years of Black life, particularly in Atlanta -- to be preserved.