Winners of the 2021 Gordon Parks Celebration “Fashion & Diversity” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, have been chosen.  Twenty-six entries were received and the winner of First Place was Johanna Walker (Franklin, KS) with the photo titled “Spotlight.”  Second Place was also Johanna Walker with the photo “Johnny.”  Third Place was Frank Clay with his photo, “Enjoying Each Other.” 

 

There were 6 Honorable Mentions named: “Diversity.” by  (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “Skating the Disaster.” by Julie Steck (Merriam, KS); “Jewels of Plenty” by Bareigh Farrell (Fort Scott); “Portrait.” by Yasser Alaa Mobarak,  (Alexandria, Egypt); “Queen of Color” by Alexxus Browning, Tulsa, OK and “Baby Blue.” by Adelay Martin (Redfield, KS).  First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.

 

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.

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Judges for the photo contest was professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.