A color photo of three women sitting on stage and holding microphones. The woman in the middle and the other two women are looking at her. Behind them the covers of several books are projected onto a screen.

Symposia

CAAMA hosts a diverse range of free, public symposia with topics ranging from visual imagery in advertising to early photography. These events delve deeply into topics through presentations and conversations with top scholars, subject matter experts, and people working in the areas discussed. The style of the programs ranges from more traditional symposia to modern TED-talk style events. 

Past Symposia

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Pictures with Purpose: A Symposium on Early African American Photography

On March 29, 2019, curators, scholars, and visual culture experts at the “Pictures with Purpose” symposium discussed the significance of works by and about African Americans from 1840s – 1920s. Inspired by the Museum’s publication of the same name and funded by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation, panels included: “Pictures with Purpose;” “Examining Early Vernacular Photography;” “Understanding Preservation;” and “Examining Identity through Nineteenth Century Imagery.”

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Represent: African Americans and the Advertising Industry

The TED Talk–style program “Represent” on July 1, 2017, featured industry experts sharing their unique perspectives on the past and present symbiotic relationship between African American culture and the advertising industry. The speakers included: 2017 Advertising Hall of Fame inductee, Carol H. Williams; Zambezi’s Chief Strategy Officer, Kristina Jenkins; and Wall Street Journal writer, Stephanie Capparell. Renetta E. McCann, Chief Talent Officer at Leo Burnett U.S., moderated the program.