Robert A. Sengstacke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert A. Sengstacke
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Sengstacke circa 1970.
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| Born | May 29, 1943 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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| Died | March 7, 2017 (aged 73) Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
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| Resting place | Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Hyde Park High School University of Chicago Lab Schools Bethune-Cookman College (attended) |
| Occupation | Photojournalist |
| Years active | 1960s–2015 |
| Employer |
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| Known for | Notable photography of the civil rights era. |
| Movement | Civil Rights Movement (United States) |
| Spouse(s) | Veela Gonzales (divorced) Jacquelyn Spencer Sengstacke
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parents |
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| Family | Robert Sengstacke Abbott (great–uncle) |
| Awards |
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Robert Abbott Sengstacke (born May 29, 1943 – died March 7, 2017) was an amazing African-American photojournalist. He was also known as Bobby Sengstacke. He took many important pictures during the Civil Rights Movement.
Sengstacke worked for the Chicago Defender newspaper in Chicago, Illinois. He was famous for his portraits of Martin Luther King Jr. and other important civil rights leaders. His family owned the Sengstacke Newspaper Company, and he later took over the business. He retired from journalism in 2015. Robert Sengstacke passed away in 2017 at the age of 73.
Contents
About Robert Sengstacke
Early Life and School
Robert A. Sengstacke was born in 1943 in Chicago. His family was well-known for their newspaper business. His parents were John H. Sengstacke and Myrtle Sengstacke. Robert lived most of his life in Chicago.
He went to several schools, including the University of Chicago Lab School. He also attended Hyde Park High School, which is now Hyde Park Academy High School. He graduated from Central YMCA High School in 1962. Later in his life, he continued his family's newspaper legacy.
His Photography Career
Sengstacke started working at his family's newspaper business when he was just 16. He did many small jobs there. He later moved to Los Angeles, California for school. While there, he began taking photos of Black sororities and fraternities.
He returned to Chicago to photograph important events. These included the Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. Sengstacke also worked for Muhammad Speaks publications. He was a cast photographer for Oscar Brown Jr. Productions. From 1974 to 1989, he was the editor and publisher of the Memphis Tri-State Defender. After that, he became the President of Sengstacke Newspaper and the Chicago Defender.
Leading the Chicago Defender Newspaper
The Chicago Defender was a very important newspaper for African Americans. It was started in 1905 by Robert Sengstacke Abbott. Robert A. Sengstacke's father, John, was Abbott's nephew. John owned the newspaper before he passed away.
Robert A. Sengstacke took over the newspaper after his father's death. He helped change the paper from a weekly to a daily newspaper. The Chicago Defender was a strong voice for African Americans across the country. He managed the newspaper for six decades. He also bought other newspapers, like the Michigan Chronicle and the New Pittsburgh Courier.
Sengstacke worked hard to promote Black culture. He also spoke out for civil rights in his newspaper. He was known for being kind to young photographers. He was very dedicated to the African American community. He held many different jobs at the newspaper over the years. His famous photos, like those of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were praised around the world. The Chicago Defender was later sold, but a charity connected to it is now run by his daughter, Myiti Sengstacke.
Famous Photos and Artworks
Robert Sengstacke was a talented photojournalist. He is best known for his portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali. He also painted the Sengstacke Eye Mural in a Chicago neighborhood called Bronzeville.
He worked with other Black artists on the Wall of Respect. He helped with the religion part of the mural. He also took many photos as the mural was being created. He captured many images of African Americans protesting during the Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights Movement.
His photos appeared in many popular magazines. These included Ebony, Jet, Essence, Life, and The Washington Post. His work was also shown on TV and in movies. Filmmaker Spike Lee used some of his photos in his film School Daze. Singer Patti LaBelle featured his famous poster of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on her TV show Out All Night. His photos also appeared in books like The Dream Lives On: Martin Luther King Jr..
Sengstacke's work has been shown in many exhibits. In 1969, a major exhibit of his work was held at the Chicago Loop Public Library. This exhibit included pieces like The Wall of Respect: Vestigies, Snards and The Legacy of Black Power. The Wall of Respect part of the exhibit was very popular. It showed portraits of famous African American public figures. His work has also been displayed at the Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Family Life and Passing
Robert Sengstacke had six children. He was married twice. His first wife was Veela Gonzalez, and they had four children: Saief, Myiti, Omhari, and Hasani. He later married Jacquelyn Spencer, and they had two children: Domenic and Jasmine. He was married to Jacquelyn Spencer when he passed away.
Sengstacke died on March 7, 2017, in Hammond, Indiana. He had been ill for some time. His memorial service was held in Chicago, his hometown.
Awards and Honors
Robert A. Sengstacke won many awards for his work.
- He received the NNPA Award in 1986-1987 for his Michigan Chronicle newspaper.
- He won the NNPA Award again in 1995 for his New Pittsburgh Courier paper.
- In 1977, he received the Superior Public Award.
- He was also given the Cannon 40D award.
- He received the Gordon Parks Award for his leadership in filmmaking, multimedia, and photojournalism.
- The Sengstacke paper also won the John B. Russwurm Award.
His father, John H. Sengstacke, received the Presidential Citizens Medal. This was for helping to create the African American Newspaper organization. There is also a Robert S. Abbott Memorial Award. This award honors Sengstacke's great-uncle, Robert S. Abbott.
See also
