Black Women Photographers (BWP) is dedicated to dismantling barriers that make it difficult to discover and commission Black creatives. Our mission is to serve as a trusted resource for industry gatekeepers while ensuring Black and African women creatives receive the visibility, recognition, and professional opportunities they deserve.
Founded in July 2020 by Polly Irungu, BWP has grown into a global community, directory, and support hub representing over 2,100 creatives across 60+ countries and 35 US states. What began as a COVID-19 Relief Fund supporting photographers facing financial hardship has evolved into a leading provider of grants, resources, and equipment. To date, BWP has awarded more than $230,000 in financial grants and distributed over $80,000 in camera gear.
BWP fosters a thriving ecosystem where Black women creatives can gain recognition and secure paid work. Our actively maintained database connects members with brands, editors, producers, and art buyers seeking diverse talent. We also offer free educational programming, including our annual summit, workshops, webinars, portfolio reviews, and networking events. Through ongoing partnerships, grant opportunities, and both virtual and in-person programming, BWP remains committed to expanding access and advancing careers.
More than a platform, BWP is a movement ensuring Black and African women visual artists are seen, valued, and empowered worldwide.
What We See When We Are Seen is an exhibition curated by Polly Irungu celebrating the New York-based members of Black Women Photographers (BWP).
Learn MoreWITNESS explores the intersectional vantage point of the Black femme-identifying artist—inviting the viewer to bear witness to what they may not otherwise see on their own.
Learn MoreExplore Black femininity through the lens of four Black Women photographers. We invite you into a black woman’s home while you view photographs of the Our Black Experience.
Learn MoreBlack Women Photographers aims to disrupt the notion that it is difficult to discover and commission Black creatives. It is dedicated to providing a resource for the industry’s gatekeepers.
Learn MoreCollective Energy: A Virtual Gathering is a virtual assembly of artists and intellectuals moderated by Adama Delphine Fawundu and Laylah Amatullah Barrayn. We will be discussing the global impact and need for photography collectives when it comes to women photographers.
Learn MoreJoin the artists of Our Black Experience: Stories From Black Women Photographers for a container-side chat about their work, their exhibition, and the stories that they have selected to represent their experiences of life as Black Women.
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