T h e P l i g h to f a

B l a c k M a n :A P h o t o

E x h i b i t i o n

C r a i g S t a ff o r d

P r e s e n t s

“The Plight of a Black Man: A Photo Exhibition,” harmonizes the issues of slavery, imprisonment, sexuality and education among Black men; and is a soul - beat that resonates through my being. Haunted by the rhythm of a stereotypical, Black father, I hear the sound of his limited education, street hustling, incarceration and fathering a bastard child - me. “The Plight of a Black Man” is a subject matter I know all too well. I have been raped by its stiffened jabs, forced to be intimate with its broad size and massive strength.

Through my sin - soaked cries I hear a voice singing in the wilderness of my spirit - I hear hope. Cry loud, spare not and beckon the fathers: Return your hearts to your children! Children return your hearts to your fathers! This photo exhibition is designed to do just that. It presents hard truth in a creative and thought-provoking way. As images envelope you, you will find yourself becoming a part of the storyline and sympathizing with each character. It is my prayer that we as Black men come out of the dark into the marvelous light, change our tune and sing a new song.

My name is Craig Napoleon Stafford, this is my story – my healing.The

Plig

ht

P l a n t a t i o n

Willy Joe White (Slave)

Pr i son

Malcom “Happy Trigger” Brown

Over 40% o f

B lack Men Are in Pr i son

Down Low

Charles Washington

AIDS/HIV

Terrel Johnson

As o f 2009B lack Men Accounted

fo r44% o f A l l NewHIV In fec t ions

What Educat ion?

Earnest B. Hudson

The Dropout Ra te Among B lack Men

Is Over 50%

T h e N e x t G e n e r a t i o n

Baby David

T h i n ko f a

B e t t e r Wa y

Gregory Smith (son of an inmate on death row)

Stop the Cyc le

Master Sensei Peter (ex-offender)

Stop the Shame

Detrick (in jail living with AIDS and “girlfriend” to a fellow inmate)

EmbraceWhoYouAre

Karl Worthington (father of a transgender son)