Curators

James A. Griffith, Jr., Creative Director

As creative director for Black Culture in Chicago, James draws on thirty-five years of experience in advertising, illustration, and graphic design. A Brooklyn, New York, native, James has worked at several top advertising agencies in New York and Philadelphia and has been a creative force behind campaigns ranging from consumer products to targeted medical therapies. His work has garnered multiple industry awards, and he specializes in campaigns that connect with people.

Ada Nivia Lopez, Director/Producer

Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Ada is an esteemed educator, policy maker, and community leader. She has created public-private partnerships between business leaders and universities to benefit schools in Chicago. Among these are the University of Puerto Rico, the Colegio de Michoacán in Mexico, and the lstituto Regionale di Ricerca Educativa in Milan, Italy. She is the first Latina elected statewide to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Mark Joseph, Photographer

Internationally recognized for his work in corporate annual report photography, Mark has worked around the world and with diverse cultures, sharpening his eye and heightening his sensitivity toward his subjects and projects to produce images that capture the soul of people, transcend the moment, and shape minds. His photographs have been published in Newsweek, Fortune, and the New York Times and have been exhibited in Chicago, San Juan, Frankfurt, Montreal, New York and Paris.