This year, if he was still alive, Gordon Parks would have turned 100 years old.

I went to Harlem, 135th Street, and visited the  Schomburg Center to view the Gordon Parks photo exhibition titled, 100 Moments. Each moment I spent in the center was inspiring.

I think the most encouraging part for me was listening to the short documentary of Parks life. I took some notes on his views of photography and his work. Listening to the video made me understand why I love his work: I find myself, he said, speaking for poor people who can’t speak for themselves…and in that way I speak for myself.  He continued, I am an objective reporter with a subjective heart. My emotions, he said, get in the way but I don’t allow them to dominate.

When I was in High School, I wanted to meet him but never got the chance as he died the year I graduated.

The photo I enjoyed the most is titled: Music: That Lordly Power 1993. Maybe it spoke to how I was feeling right then. I know it’s an image I am not going to forget.

Kudos to Deborah Willis who put together a brilliant show.