Compositions of Black Joy

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Compositions of Black Joy: A Visual Chronicle of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival (2015-2022) is a powerful celebration of Black families, freedom, and the community spirit that defines northwest Philadelphia.

Photographed by Tieshka K. Smith-official event photographer for nearly a decade-this vibrant collection brings to life the sights, sounds, and soul of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival in Germantown. From moments of joy and protest to tradition and transformation, Smith's lens captures seven years of celebration rooted in a legacy of liberation and self-determination.

Inspired by her 2023 photography exhibit Documenting the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival: A Visual Chronicle of Community, Resilience and Freedom, this book includes full-color images from the show, plus never-before-seen photographs and a selection of archival materials from 20th-century Juneteenth, Emancipation and Freedom Day observances. Together, they tell the story of how Black Philadelphians have long used civic celebration as both resistance and renaissance.

More than a book-it's a testament to Black joy as a living, breathing legacy.