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 | BUILDING BRIDGES IN AFRICA |
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Greetings!
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During the course of a lifetime there are events that change our direction in life. These moments often seem miniscule at the time, but as life goes on, they change our perspective on the world.
Growing up on the southwest side of Atlanta in the 60's, I was much aware of skin color, as were we all. It was a time when our world was changing, and we were changing with it. The rules had changed. Making friends now took on a new dimension, and bringing new friends home for dinner could often be stressful and shocking.
Not too long ago, I was seated next to a very charming gentleman on a long flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles. We chatted casually about the state of the world and how our lives had changed from when we were kids. We marveled at how far we'd come and wondered where it would all lead. In the end, I told him that I thought that if there were any blame to be assigned, it should be assigned to him. He looked puzzled, and I went on to explain that the blame was his for doing such a great job at making us all face the issues by playing the black fianc�e in Guess Whose Coming To Dinner. Mr. Poitier's typical, wry smile told me that we indeed had come a long way. Last fall, I was comissioned to shoot the cover of Mr.Poitier's latest book, Life Beyond Measure; Letters To My Great-Granddaughter.
I recently had the privilege of creating portraits of Ambassador Young and his wife and was subsequently invited to photograph the heads of state of the African nations participating in the 8th Leon Sullivan Summit in Arusha, Tanzania. Andrew Young told me that he was 42 before he made his first trip to Africa and that since then he has been back 3-4 times every year. As he put it, Africa changes the way you think, BLACK OR WHITE!
While at the summit, I had the great pleasure of photographing 5 presidents of African nations and a number of ambassadors. Sitting alone, behind closed doors with these remarkable men was a memorable experience for me. With my son Greg in the room recording the experience, I was able to have one on one conversations with some the most powerful and influential men in Africa, and I discovered that their desires and concerns were no different than those of the rest of us. In the end, they shared the same humanity that we all share.
Would I do it again? Yes, without hesitation. It was the experience of a lifetime, and I am a better person for having done it. As an artist, by seeing first hand our differences, I am better able to understand and capture photographically our similarities.
Open your heart and mind to the possibilities.
Jay Fletcher
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The Summit
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 As many of you know, Jay was recently asked by Ambassador Andrew Young
to accompany him to the 8th Leon Sullivan Summit in Tanzania in order
to create portraits of the African heads of state attending the summit. Having photographed Ambassador Young and his wife previously and knowing the Ambassador's commitment to this cause, Jay was honored to be given this opportunity.
This year's summit was hosted
b y President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania. This important event
is held on alternate years and brings political, economic, business,
healthcare, and educational leaders from around the world together to
meet with heads of state and delegations from African nations. The goal is to find ways in which African nations can partner with organizations from other countries to benefit the development of the African continent.
Interestingly, the summit took place in Arusha, Tanzania in the same complex of buildings where the United Nations is holding the Tribunal to try those who participated in the genocide in Rwanda. Needless to say, the security at all levels was at maximum.
Negotiating through the various level of Tanzanian, United Nations, and
visiting countries security protocols was sometimes complicated and
touchy, and there were times when we wondered if it were worth it, but in the end Jay was able to capture, in his typical and unique style, the
essence of the personalities of the visiting heads of state and other dignitaries including some from the entertainment industry.
Actor and comedian Chris Tucker took time out of his schedule to sit for a portrait, and found himself on the receiving end of Jay's comedic wit. In the end all agreed that Chris should stick to comedy and Jay should keep his day job.
While most of the presidents and ambassadors wore modern day suit and tie dress to the summit, the former president of Nigeria, Mr. Obasanjo, reminded us all of the elegant and distinctive native dress typical of each African nation.
 Presidents
Kagame of Rwanda and President al-Bashir of the Sudan both proved to be a charming subjects and seemed to
enjoy the opportunity to relax and share a joke or two with Jay.
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