Getty Images awarded several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) a $500,000 grant to digitize their archival photographic libraries—a collaboration between the Getty Family and Stand Together.
The recipients of the grants included Claflin University, Jackson State, North Carolina Central University and Prairie View A&M University.
According to the press release, the $500,000 grant will support the photo digitization of up to 200,000 archival photos for its “Historically Black Colleges & Universities Collection” to help preserve the invaluable photographic history of HBCUs.
“The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs were created to honor the vast history of HBCUs and their contribution to American history,” said Cassandra Illidge, VP of Partnerships at Getty Images. We are committed to preserving the visual narrative of all cultures and communities to ensure these vital artifacts are accessible to storytellers around the world.”
Each HBCU will retain all copyright for their photographs and all revenue generated from the images. The funds will then will be channeled back into impact programs.
Fifty percent will go to grant recipients; 30% of revenue will be used for a financial donation to scholarship funds focused on furthering the education of students at HBCUs. The final 20% will be reinvested to fund the Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs each year.
“North Carolina Central University’s rich history, vibrant culture and steady growth over the past 111 years have been captured through images. The generous investment by Getty Images will offer new, technologically enhanced and advanced ways in which we, as a leading Historically Black University, can further tell our story,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., Chancellor of NCCU. “A strategic partnership with the world’s largest visual storytelling and preservation company is one that will strengthen and elevate the importance of digitizing our important photographic collections that document the history of NCCU and other HBCUs that are institutional gems to our nation. The collaboration also trains the next generation of librarians, archivists and public historians who will work with these priceless collections.”
The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs is part of Getty Images’ ongoing commitment to anti-racism, inclusion and dismantling discrimination. They commit to doing this through market unseen historical content and creating revenue streams for organizations working to build a more inclusive society.
