Fierce Determination: Moving Forward w/ Grace and Dignity Exhibition

Thank you for visiting this exhibition! The images you are about to view result from many years of searching and collecting that began when Connie Fredericks-Malone and her husband, James Malone, first encountered some historical photographs of African-American individuals who  made a profound impression on them. They were moved by the grace and dignity of these souls, whose images reflected a fierce determination to move forward in their lives within a society that frequently presented cruel and oppressive barriers to their progress.  Connie and Jim have continued to collect these photographs in the spirit of rescuing them from anonymity and decay. These images represent children, families, and individuals ranging from the mid-nineteenth century up until the mid-nineteen-fifties. Most of their identities are unknown to us. However, within the exhibit you will meet Connie’s relatives, members of the Fredericks-Williams families, who have gifted the world with abundant creative talent and beauty.

Behind each image is a “story” that is significant. These were, and in some cases are, real living people who led lives of sacred value. We invite you to encounter and connect with each image in your full humanity … in whatever way you may find meaningful. Who were these people? What did their lives look like? What might they say to us? What might we say to them? How might we be different as a result of meeting them today?