Witness to history

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Sharon Farmer was the first Black woman to serve as a White House photographer and under President Bill Clinton, became the first woman to be the director of the Office of White House Photography. She’ll talk about her life and work in a conversation with Polly Irungu.

Panelist: Sharon Farmer

Moderator: Polly Irungu

Location: The Center for Black Excellence and Culture theater, 671 W. Badger Road

Tickets: Photojournalism Summit or any paid main program ticket

Other Sessions

Gallery Exhibition Opening & Welcome by Center for Black Excellence and Culture co-founder Lilada Gee

Life and politics viewed through the lenses of three prominent and revolutionary Black, female photographers and leaders.

Greentree, the ties that bind

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photojournalist Angela Peterson presents her O’Brien Fellowship project, focusing on gaining the trust of underserved communities and sharing the richness of their stories. Moderated by Enjoyia

Empowering Black storytellers

Polly Irungu, a former White House photographer and photo editor, will discuss her career and how she founded the Black Women Photographers network to give Black and African women artists representation and to dismantle