10 Photos That Capture Harlem’s Legacy Through the Lens of Visionary Gordon Parks

When parsing through poignant and poetic photographs captured by visionary Gordon Parks (1912-2006), his passion for amplifying humanistic narratives is illuminated within each image. From a still, yet electric, black-and-white photo of Malcolm X delivering a speech on a Seventh Avenue street corner to a collection of pictures that gave an unfiltered lens into how a Uptown family navigated the pitfalls of socioeconomic inequities, Harlem often served as the backdrop of the documentarian’s definitive photojournalistic storytelling.

“This was Harlem,” he wrote in one of his most revered visual essays for Life Magazine’s November 1948 issue. “I was a part of it—it's people, it's songs and words.”

As we celebrate World Photography Week (August 12-26), we’re reflecting on the artistic legacy of Parks—who moved to Harlem following World War II—and how he used his camera to tell timeless stories about the Black experience through the lenses of social justice, identity, urban life, and humanism. While there are many within his extensive collection, here are 10 photos that capture his reverence for the local community.

'New York, New York. A Harlem resident.'

'New York, New York. Harlem newsboy'

'New York, New York. Harlem apartment house.'

'New York, New York. A Harlem scene.'

'New York, New York. Scene in Harlem area.'

'New York, New York. A Harlem street scene.'

'New York, New York. Three boys who live in the Harlem area.'

'New York, New York. A woman and her dog in the Harlem section.'

'New York, New York. Scene in Harlem.'

'Harlem School Children'

Learn more about Parks' legacy and work by visiting The Gordon Parks Foundation's website.