Vision Beyond The Lens by -J.J. McQueen-

In today's society, you'll often hear people making statements like, "kids aren't motivated," or "young black boys don't care about life," or extreme comments such as, "black men aren't positively engaging young black boys anymore." To a short-sighted person those thoughts appear true, but for someone who is open to a larger picture, that narrative is flawed. Those types of assertions offer up the opportunity for those of us charged with the challenge of photographing impactful moments to debunk life's ugly myths.                                                                Photo: J.J. McQueen/ Coach Daren Hart  In the world of photography, we are constantly evolving with each assignment, and in moments of motion, we're completely sold-out and invested. It's that mindset that allowed me the ability ...

There are moments in your career when you know that something's special is about to happen. I call them, "Vision Spots". They're the small things that remind us of the possibilities of greatness when our dreams are in motion. Prior to my recent trip to Puerto Rico , I had that familiar feeling of knowing that something special was about to unfold. However, that feeling didn't come without serious opposition. The day before I left I had to purchase a new Nikon D750 , assist my elderly uncle, and manage tons of other adult responsibilities. Fortunately, I know that there's always sun on the other side of rain clouds. It was my first trip to Puerto Rico , and I'd heard from many of my friends how beautiful it was. So while our flight was descending I could see much of what they'd told me about. The small villages and beaches along the coastline. I knew that when my feet hit the ground that I couldn't be anything less than pleased. Before all of t...

To understand what's good about a place you have to see it. You have to live it, love it, smell it, and often times it has too become a part of who you are. Those things only take place when you invest yourself in the experience of it. It requires a person to look deep into what some consider the ugliest parts of its' environment. For many that's a difficult stance to take. Primarily, because that type of thought process isn't the average person's reality. Investing all of who you are into an unfamiliar area requires a unmeasurable amount of selflessness. However, for those that take on the challenge of fostering an undaunted vision, they're now impacting generations beyond their years. Day campers dab after a one day football camp hosted by Ringo McKiver and former High Point All-Stars. Corey Dawkins High Point Hornets head basketball coach teaching a basketball skills camp. Coach Marcus Wilson helping with meals after football camp.  They e...

Culturally, humans celebrate historical moments and locations differently. It's often done in ways that most individuals outside of each subgroup will never understand. The reverence for whatever significance these places and things hold usually shows themselves subtly, and/or boldly.   The essence of these special places and moments are seldom captured without mounds of emotion. If by happenstance someone fails to acknowledge or address them, everyone present will asked two very important questions. Who's responsible for capturing our most precious moments, and who will make sure that they're captured moving forward? The Ritz, Washington Street High Point, NC    The Celebrated Robert Hayes, 56 Year Barber/Entrepreneur, Washington Street, High Point, NC After those two questions have been answered, and the call to the assignment has been accepted by a responsible party, the work starts.  The unnerving task of documenting history begins.  The chosen...

Baltimore is one of those unique places in America that breeds basketball talent. It has a spirit of relentless history for carving out some of the best players that the hoops game has ever seen. That type of mindset and drive for basketball greatness could move individuals to two questions.  Where does the idea of being the best basketball player come from? Why do kids and young people believe that they'll be the next great basketball player to rise up from Baltimore? Those are two important questions when analyzing the thought process of kids chasing their dreams.    The Rock In Baltimore on some blocks the ideals of entrepreneurship is measured by how many " rocks " one can sell.  No, it's not a poplar statement, but one that reigns true on some streets.  Ordinarily making references to a " rock " [pseudonym for a basketball] in cities like Baltimore could easily be associated with something negative. Fortunately in this case, those common thou...

When people think of hall of fame worthy moments, there're usually times where crowds of people get to witness things outside of the norm being performed. As a former athlete, I've observed some of those kinds of moments. In a recent trip back to my home town of High Point, North Carolina , I had a chance to relive some of those times. In an effort to celebrate the contributions of myself and twelve other amazing people, my high school T. Wingate Andrews , and its' Hall of Fame selection committee, chose us to represent the TWA Sports Hall of Fame class 2015. I can recall on the day that I received the message about being selected, my mind immediately took me on the journey of when and where it all started. I thought about the thousands of student athletes before me that had endured things that made my career simpler than theirs had been. I also paid homage to those that mentored me through my growing pains. Soon after receiving the individual phone call, there was a ...

The world has countless freedoms that it exercises the right to use daily.  Some of us use those freedoms better than others. Why is that?  I believe that our ideals and perceptions are shaped by variations of our exposure to our thoughts about colors. Most people overlook the impact of color. Think about it, from the time that we're conceived, the divide of color is born right along with us. Little boys are put on the blue side, and little girls on the pink side. This concept didn't fully dawn on me until the birth of the "Freddie Gray" protests here in Baltimore, Maryland. Now I know that many of you are asking, "what does the death of a man have to do with color"?  I believe that our upbringing contributes heavily in shaping how we see color. I also believe that color is a stand alone word. It's often used to categorize things in ways that people don't even realize. Ironically, it even applies to those who are visually impaired. It's used ...

In the fall of 2007 when the film "American Gangster" was released, it made an immediate impact at the box office.  Grossing $130 million dollars the films' success was publicly credited for what is typically unfamiliar--its' musical score. I was young in my career and often wondered the impacted of music in everyday life--particularly mine.  As fate would have it, a few months later the opportunity to travel to New York to sit down with Hank and Keith Shocklee presented itself.  Hank and Keith two of rap musics most decorated producers, delivered life-long lessons as it pertained to my world of insight. With both men having been credited to the success of early rap groups like Public Enemy and the famous Bomb Squad, every nugget  of information that they dropped was valuable.  Fresh off producing the hit single "Do You Feel Me", performed by Anthony Hamilton, their ideas and thoughts spoke to my senses. Within that interview I learned every music...

It’s been nearly 60-years since the bus made its’ memorable mark on American history.   For decades buses have been responsible for transcending subjects like music, race, politics, economics, civil-rights, and education.   They have been the primary catalyst for evolution, and change.   I’ve often thought that the bus could be compared to the barbershop.   I mean that with respect to the similar degrees of monumental discussions, and movements taking place in parallel. Much like the barbershop, the bus has fostered many conversations with all of its' subjects sitting in one place.   It was around the ages of 5 or 6 when this lesson began manifesting for me. In my youth, my mother and I would take frequent bus rides from High Point, North Carolina to Pittsboro, North Carolina, where grandparents lived. On those rides I can remember taking it all in.   There was something about the sign locations, the view, the smells, the sounds, and even the route...

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed fr...

Several days ago I stopped to talk to one of my neighbors about a vacant private pool property in our neighborhood. We briefly shard our perspectives on the what if's of the property, and the countless possibilities for the local children if it were open. Needless to say many of the residents where we live share the same vision. Ironically days after that conversation, I had the pleasure of witnessing two middle school aged girls jumping the fence to play basketball at the property. Usually I wouldn't think much of this observation but being a father with two daughters, I couldn't help but notice. Especially when they're no trespassing signs posted everywhere.  However, me thinking like a rational adult, I had to quickly remind myself to think like a kid and note that the fence obstacle wasn't going to be the girls end all for getting some shots up.  On the heels of the conversation with my neighbor it was confirmation that we're all on one accord. So, ...