Over the past two decades, self-taught photographer Russell Frederick has established himself on his own terms, refusing to compromise his integrity for fortune or fame. “I wanted something more than money — I wanted purpose, happiness, and legacy. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others,” says Brooklyn’s native son.
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Coming of age in the 1990s, Frederick worked in healthcare as the crack and AIDS epidemics destroyed countless lives, and the draconian Rockefeller drug laws disappeared a generation of Black men. “I’ve been arrested, stopped and frisked 15, 20 times when I’ve committed no crimes,” Frederick says. “Being targeted by the police impacts our families, our ability to get an education, and our self-esteem.”
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Like legendary photographer and film director Gordon Parks, Frederick’s choice of weapons is the camera. After realizing he didn’t want to spend his life working in a job he didn’t love, Frederick gave up a secure career to pursue his love of photography at a time when few Black photographers could make a living in the field. Since 1997, he has devoted himself to crafting stories of Black life that uplift, inspire, and unite. Whether photographing luminaries including President Barack Obama, Mayor David Dinkins, Regina King, Barry Jenkins or the people of his Bed-Stuy community, Frederick is on a mission to create repository of soul, one frame at a time.
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As a member of Kamoinge, the world’s longest running non-profit photography collective, Frederick understands the importance of telling Black stories from the perspective of someone inside the community and create counter narratives to mainstream media. “The camera is a powerful tool and I saw why it was weaponized against us,” he says. “I look at my role as a photographer as an educator and visual activist to realize and redefine the way the world sees us because our greatness has been suppressed. When I leave this earth, these images I’ve made will live on and be strong.”
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