Black women celebrated in majority-white community in southcentral Pa.
Black beauty is being celebrated in Franklin County.
A Chambersburg photographer’s passion project showing off the black women in his life to people on the internet for Black History Month quickly transformed into a physical exhibit with more meaning and impact than he ever imagined.
Aptly titled "Black Girl Magic," Phillip Whitley's exhibit includes 30 photos showcasing the faces of 29 women of color, each complemented by a quote from a prominent black woman. Comprising 28 16- by 20-inch and two 30- by 40-inch canvases, it is on display now around the second floor of Chambersburg's Coyle Free Library, and will open March 9 at the Art Alliance of Greater Waynesboro. The exhibit will be open through March 31 at both locations.
“It has been so humbling. I have just been overwhelmed with gratitude that the community has joined in with me in the celebration,” said Whitley, who turned 30 Saturday.
It all started in December, when Whitley got the idea to post a portrait of a woman of color each day of February for Black History Month on the Facebook page for his business, MrPhab Photos. He first worried that the community – predominantly white, and conservative – wouldn’t be accepting, but the friends who were among his first portrait subjects were adamant that it was beautiful, and he had to go for it.
He said it was those friends who made the project what it is now. Not only did they get their sisters, mothers and other friends involved, allowing Whitley to surpass his goal of 28 subjects, but they chose the quotes and worked with him to choose the photos. Sometimes, the quote a woman chose influenced the photo choice.
“It was a fun process,” he said.
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Whitley, himself a biracial man, knew he had something special when a "teaser" portrait he shared on Facebook gained hundreds of reactions and dozens of shares and comments. Within no time, he heard from Kim Crider and Noel Purdy, both of whom are heavily involved in community organizations and proponents for the arts. Whitley knew them from his involvement with the Franklin County Coalition for Progress.
Crider said seeing the teasers gave her a gut instinct that the project was important.
“He had used art to capture humanity on a variety of different levels. I think that’s so captivating,” she said.
Whitley posted the full slideshow at the end of January. Soon, a GoFundMe campaign was underway to help the project become a real exhibit, and quickly raised its $1,500 goal. Whitley also received a $800 grant from the Chambersburg Rotary Club, of which he is a member.
Less than three weeks after Whitley posted the slideshow online, the “Black Girl Magic” exhibit was coordinated. The slideshow itself had around 7,500 views on Facebook as of Friday, with more than 13,400 people reached, he said.
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The exhibit’s impact is clear from the words of one of the women pictured, Carly Janiser of Shippensburg. Whitley read the caption she posted when she shared her portrait on social media:
“I’m so honored to have been a part of this amazing and necessary project.
“Growing up here never gave me opportunities to see myself reflected in others.
"These photos will give other little brown girls the inspiration to embrace their melanin and love the skin they’re in.”
A photographer for just three years, this exhibit is Whitley’s first foray into the print medium. Under MrPhab Photos – named for a nickname he acquired as a bartender at Red Lobster, where he continues to work – he has mostly done photos for weddings, families and small businesses. He has also done digital collections from Philadelphia and Washington D.C.’s Pride events.
From here, Whitley wants to do more “socially moving” projects, and grow MrPhab Photos into a tool that allows him to connect with people.
“I want to represent and celebrate people who are not always represented and celebrated.”
Check out more of Whitley's work on his website, on Facebook and on Instagram.
Experience "Black Girl Magic"
Location 1: Coyle Free Library, 102 N. Main St., Chambersburg
When: Through March 31
Location 2: Art Alliance of Greater Waynesboro, 13. W. Main St., Waynesboro
When: March 9-31. Opening reception with meet-and-greet, 6-8 p.m. March 9