New Book 'Kinship & Community' Showcases Texas African American Photography Archive

Back in the mid-1990s, Alan Govenar created the Texas African American Photography (TAAP) Archive after noticing that the state's photography history was missing contributions from Black photographers. Located in Dallas, this archive houses over 60,000 images and artifacts that capture the essence of Black life across Texas. A new book, 'Kinship & Community: Selections from the Texas African American Photography Archive,' edited by Nicole R. Fleetwood and Brian Wallis, features more than 150 photographs and essays from various contributors. Set to release in March 2026 by Aperture and Documentary Arts, it connects the archive to larger Texan and American historical narratives. The majority of the images date from the 1940s to the 1980s, highlighting significant moments like graduations and protests. Plus, there’s an exhibition at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, running until September 5, 2026.