Women of Color Long Journey Forward: And Still We Rise
February 4 to March 28, 2026
Reception: Saturday, February 7, 2026. 2 - 5 pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, March 7, 2026. 2 - 5 pm
National Archives. Image 426441
Group photo exhibition celebrating the women of
The 6888 Postal Directory Battalion
Curators: Howard Cash and Jamel Shabazz
Press Release
WOMEN OF COLOR, LONG JOURNEY FORWARD AND STILL WE RISE
From February 4 through March 28, 2026, the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba is pleased to present Women of Color, Long Journey Forward and Still We Rise, an exhibition of seventy-three photographers, curated by award winning photographers Howard Cash and Jamel Shabazz. The exhibition, presented in association with the Black Photographer’s Collective, pays tribute to the stalwart group of African American women of The 6888 Postal Directory Battalion assigned to England and France in 1945-1946 during World War II.
The exhibition explores many dimensions in the lives of Black women and celebrates the many accomplishments of women of color. The exhibition features 227 photos across a spectrum of cultures, generations and approaches, and spans the period from the late 1930s to 2026. Curator Howard Cash said, “There are times when working together presents the best solution—men and women coming together in support of women.” At least 30 women photographers join others creating in a variety of techniques and styles.
The images include studio photos, street scenes, and heirloom portraits. Works by well-known photographers are installed next to work by those experiencing a first exhibition. Many themes are explored regarding dance, music, service workers, street scenes, community activists, matriarchs and mothers and heirloom portraits. We experience rich contexts and multiple stories being told.
The participating photographers are: Michelle Agins, Salimah Ali, Adriel Michelle Barnett, Sidney Barry, Kenneth Bazemore, Summer-Zaire Bell, Rain Bermudez, Erica L. Blake, Brian Branch-Price, Carl Broady, Kamel Brown, Edward Buckles, Spencer Burnett, Pavan Carter, Howard T. Cash, Rudy Collins, Chris Cook, Wendy Correa, Malik Yusef Cumbo, Gerald Cyrus, Abena Dale, Bernard Drayton, Shawn Escoffery, Laikyn Fishburne, Vicente Fletcher, Donna Marie Flourishing, Ron Foster, Russell Frederick, Ka’Vozia Glynn, Taiye Godbody, Leroy Henderson, Kay Hickman, Chester Higgins, Melanie Hill, Raymond Holman, Isadore Howard, Debi Jackson, Carolina Jiminez, Nitashia Johnson, Glenda E. Jones, Allen Lloyd, Jonathan Logan, Ashanté Mallet, Roosevelt Mansfield, Janaè Mayfield, Melvin McCray, Louis Mendes, Elijah Mogoli, Mansa K. Mussa, Carmelo Nieves, Kwadwo Gyasi Nkita-Mayala, Navis Oliver, Pam Owens, Chike Ozah, Malique Payne, Nathaniel Phillips, Yeny E. Ferreras Raposo, Sabura Rashid, Kanaiah Schultz, Jamel Shabazz, Zarinah Shabazz, Sam Simmonds, Robert L. Sims III, Kenya Smith, Robert J. Webb, Karen Wells Collection, Marty Williams, Zakiyyah Woods, Crystal Wiley-Brown, Yanissa X, Michael Yeboa and Michael Young.
A gathering of focused creatives in their process of exploring light represents multiple and distinctive perspectives of the evolving Diaspora.
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 2-5 pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 2-5 pm
Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm
Location: 219 East Second Street, New York, NY, 10009
Kenkeleba programs are supported by many generous friends.
