GONE TOO SOON: Black Photographers Photo Exhibit Tribute to Michael Jackson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2009
For more information about the exhibit please contact:
Angel L. Brown, Curator
info@ospfilms.com

NEW YORK, NY – On Sunday, August 30, 2009 Our Stories Productions in association with Billie’s Black celebrates the opening reception of Gone Too Soon: Black Photographers Tribute to Michael Jackson Photo Exhibit curated by Angel L. Brown from 4 PM to 8 PM. Billie’s Black is located at 271 West 119th Street New York, NY between St. Nicholas Ave. & Frederick Douglass Blvd. All are welcomed to attend the reception and may RSVP by emailing info@ospfilms.com

During the exhibition planning process, Angel L. Brown founder of Our Stories Productions and curator of the photo exhibition as well as one of the photographers reached out to over sixteen Black photographers for this unique exhibition.  Angel was one of many fans who went to the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson after hearing of his untimely death a few hours earlier. “If you were in New York at the time the death of Michael Jackson was announced, The Apollo Theater was one of the majors places to be among other fans.  After a while of feeling sad and depress, a since of joy and happiness came over my body so I started taking pictures with my digital camera. I then notice it was nothing but media outlets, networks and mainly non-people of color professional photographers capturing the moment.   I then turned the camera on to every Black photographer taking photos. It was my way of archiving the moment in it’s truth. “  The project took on a life of it’s own and is now a traveling exhibit and ongoing series archiving a series of events the day of and weeks after Michael Jackson death with a focus on his fans.  “I want to show his family how much we loved and appreciate his talents” states Angel L. Brown.
The opening exhibition will showcase photography by Kwane Brathwaite, Angel L. Brown, Ricky Day, Lisa DuBois, Gloria “Aziza” Lawyer, Joy Malone and Freddy Rumeci.  In addition, there will be mixed media pieces by Angel L. Brown screened throughout the night.

The opening reception is $3 suggested donation and open to the public. All of the photographers are expected at the opening reception.  R&B recording artist Tyran Gem will perform Gone Too Soon with a photo-montage of the fans at the Apollo Theater the day Michael Jackson died. For more information, please contact curator, Angel L. Brown at (646) 209 -6497or visit http://www.GoneTooSoonMJPhotoExhibit.com

About Angel L . Brown

Angel L. Brown is the founder/CEO of Our Stories Productions, a multi-media company that produces progressive socially conscious work that continues to explore, expose, enlighten, and in search of truth, spirituality and healing through various forms of storytelling with a focus in film, television, music and exhibition about but not limiting to the African Diaspora experience. Some work includes The Black season: Shifting focus to women of color on the L word, a showcase of women shorts, musical acts and career highlights of the L word cast. OSP Black Filmmakers Showcase screening award winning films: Allergic To Nuts featuring Vanessa Williams and Yolanda Ross produced by Red Wall productions, Silence: In Search of Black Female Sexuality featuring Little X, Nzingha Stewart, Tricia Rose, Punany Poets and Dr. Rev. Jeremiah Wright produced by Mya B/ Shoot Films Not People Productions; Cinematographer for cross over music video, Rumors for hip-hop artist Maino featuring Lil Kim and Babs directed by Zaire Baptise and QBC International Film & Music Festival 2009 happening at The National Black Theater. Angel has premiered in several printed magazines including Time Out magazine and participated on various panels, guest curated and was a consultant for several film festivals most recently served on the Executive Committee for Jubilation, a New York Black Pride event heading the film showcase; Punkmouse & Princess Warriors Queer Media Conference: Women Submit 2008 with Rose Troche (Showtime L word writer/director); Women of Color Film Festival – Santa Cruz chaired by Angela Y Davis (associated with the Black Panthers, Activist, Professor& Author); ImageNation Film Festival guest curator including QBC College Tour at various Universities and production work in East Africa, South Africa.and.the.United.Kingdom.

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Tags: Angel L. Brown, apollo, billie's black, dead, Freddy Rumeci, Gloria “Aziza” Lawyer, gone too soon, Joy Malone, Kwane Brathwaite, Lisa DuBois, michael jackson, new york, photo exhibit, Ricky Day, Tyran Gem