New Initiative Will Help Preserve the Photographic History of HBCUs

From Claflin University archives

Getty Images has made grants of $500,000 to four historically Black universities to digitally archive their photographic collections. The educational institutions receiving grants are Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Jackson State University in Mississippi, North Carolina Central University, and Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

Over 100,000 archival and contemporary photos will be converted to digital format in the coming months. These images will be available for licensing in the new Historically Black Colleges and Universities Collection on the Getty Images website. Revenue generated from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Collection will provide each HBCU with a new revenue stream and support scholarships for students attending their schools. Every school will retain full copyright ownership of their photography.

“The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs were created to honor the vast history of HBCUs and their contribution to American history,” said Cassandra Illidge, vice president of partnerships at Getty Images. “We are committed to preserving the visual narrative of all cultures and communities to ensure these vital artifacts are accessible to storytellers around the world.”

Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Clafin University, one of the four universities receiving grants, added that “this partnership will help Claflin preserve its illustrious history in photographs documenting the university’s emergence as one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. These images provide compelling visual narratives of how Claflin’s dedicated and visionary administrators, distinguished faculty and staff, and high-achieving scholars made indelible contributions to Orangeburg, the state of South Carolina, and the world.”

Related Articles

1 COMMENT

  1. I certainly hope none neoliberal, politically correct, administratively incompetent, and status so-called Black HBCU presidents (Dwaun J. Warmack, Thomas K. Hudson, Johnson O Akinleye, & Ruth Simmons) did not receive this meagerly grant ($500,000/4 HBCU = $125,000)from Getty Images in exchange to have unfettered access or even control of these four HBCU imagery.

    For those who don’t know, Getty Images is valuation worth is $4.8 billion. I certainly hope these the HBCUs don’t allow Getty Images to place a permanent watermark with “Getty Images” on these HBCU photos. This is just a bad as estate of famed photographer Gordon Parks literally giving a significant number of his iconic photos to Yale University.

    In my view, the so-called native born Black American community should not be in the business of allowing people from other “nations” or organizations be the custodian of our cultural artifacts.

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

Jermaine Whirl Selected to Lead Savannah State University in Georgia

“Savannah State has a rich history of producing world class artists, educators, scientists, military leaders, corporate executives and public policy advocates," said Dr. Whirl. "I look forward to working with the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater Savannah community to continue the legacy of the state’s first public HBCU.”

Report Identifies Racial Diversity Trends in California’s Higher Education Workforce

Since 2013, the share of Black faculty and staff at the University of California and California State University systems has slightly decreased, while their representation at California Community Colleges has experienced a small increase.

Pamela Wilks Named Provost of Paine College in Georgia

Dr. Wilks has an extensive background in HBCU academic and administrative leadership. Prior to her new appointment, she served as provost at Coppin State University for three years.

Graduate Enrollment Surges at Winston-Salem State University

In fall 2024, Winston-Salem State University enrolled 244 new graduate students, an increase of 31.2 percent from the prior year. The HBCU now enrolls nearly 600 graduate students.

Featured Jobs