"This series of illustrations accompanied a feature-length Q&A with Professor of African American Studies Hettie Williams whose scholarship focuses on race and ethnicity studies. The Q&A ran in our fall 2020 issue.
We wanted to somehow address the conversations and demonstrations that were taking place across the country in support of racial justice. Initially, we envisioned an article that compared and contrasted recent demonstrations with those of the civil rights era. But as Professor Williams explained, these weren’t separate events, but part of a continuum in the struggle for Black equality.
As we were editing the interview, we knew we had our cover story, but we didn’t have any art to accompany it. Rather than use stock news photos, we commissioned Simone Martin-Newberry, a Chicago-based artist, to bring Williams’ ideas to life. Martin-Newberry juxtaposed grayscale and color imagery to convey the “then and now” aspect of the topic, while seamlessly weaving both eras together within each illustration.
The result beautifully drives home Williams’ point: that recent events were not something distinct from the civil rights movement. “but rather a continuation of what historians call the struggle for Black equality.”"
From the Judges
A visually strong and engaging piece that made light of an issue that persists in a dignifying way. Great blend of new and old illustrations that is effective in showing the reader that issues still persist. Effective use of color and a very smart layout!
