Guy Crowder facts for kids
Guy Rochester Crowder (1940–2011) was an important African-American photographer. His pictures appeared in many newspapers, including the Los Angeles Sentinel. He was the first staff photographer for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He was also the first African-American person to work for that government agency.
Early Life and Education
Guy Crowder was born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1940. His family moved to Los Angeles in 1945. He finished high school in Compton, California. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve and served from 1957 to 1963. Crowder also studied at Los Angeles Harbor College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
Photography Career
Crowder began his career as a freelance photographer. He took pictures of community events. At first, he found it hard to get a job at big newspapers in Los Angeles because of his race. But he built a very successful business. He became well-known and connected with important community leaders and politicians. These included Mervyn Dymally, Jesse M. Unruh, and Kenneth Hahn.
In 1974, he became the staff photographer for the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. This made him the first African-American to work for this government group. The Board of Supervisors helps run Los Angeles County. Over the years, Guy Crowder photographed many famous people. Some of them were Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Magic Johnson, Thurgood Marshall, Coretta Scott King, and Wynton Marsalis.
Aldore Collier, an editor for Jet Magazine, once said about Crowder: "His works clearly show the different parts of Black life in Los Angeles. They show hope, sadness, and joy." At Crowder's funeral, Danny Bakewell, the publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, said: "Guy Crowder will be remembered as one of the most talented Black photojournalists of our time."
Personal Life
Guy Crowder was married to his wife, Patricia, for 51 years. They had one child, Reginald Crowder.
Art Exhibitions
Guy Crowder's photographs have been shown in art exhibitions:
- Camera and Community: A Celebration by Guy R. Crowder (1993) at California State University, Northridge.
- Black Life: Images of Resistance and Resilience in Southern California (2019) at The San Diego Museum of Art. This show ran from August 24 to December 1, 2019.
Death and Legacy
Guy Crowder passed away on October 30, 2011. He died in Riverside, California, from pneumonia and problems after a stroke. He left behind a huge collection of photographs. His archive has over 400,000 images. These photos are kept safe by the Tom and Ethel Bradley Center. This center is part of the University Library at California State University, Northridge.
