PORTRAITS IN POWER: THROUGH THE LENS OF THE BLACK CANON

David Ellis is a dedicated cultural preservationist committed to preserving African American heritage and entertainment through archiving and curation. At the Motown Museum, he is instrumental in maintaining and showcasing the collection of Motown Records related artifacts, including iconic costumes and albums from legendary artists such 

David Ellis is a dedicated cultural preservationist committed to preserving African American heritage and entertainment through archiving and curation. At the Motown Museum, he is instrumental in maintaining and showcasing the collection of Motown Records related artifacts, including iconic costumes and albums from legendary artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and more. 

Currently, he supports the Curatorial Department in curating the museum’s 50,000 square foot expansion project. Beyond his work at the Motown Museum, David has collaborated with the Gates Preserve and The Black Canon to inventory the James Wheeler Collection, a vintage collection of African American movie posters and films. Additionally, his efforts with the Detroit Sound Conservancy highlight the rich legacy of the historic Graystone Ballroom. Through his various roles, David Ellis continues to celebrate the profound impact of African American culture and music. 

 Marcia Black (she/her) is a proud 4th-generation Detroiter, Black queer feminist archivist, cultural organizer, and memory worker. She is the Co-Director of Archives and Education at Black Bottom Archives, where she works to preserve and amplify Black Detroit legacy. Marcia also serves as the Instruction and Outreach Archivist at the Wal

 Marcia Black (she/her) is a proud 4th-generation Detroiter, Black queer feminist archivist, cultural organizer, and memory worker. She is the Co-Director of Archives and Education at Black Bottom Archives, where she works to preserve and amplify Black Detroit legacy. Marcia also serves as the Instruction and Outreach Archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library, where she facilitates primary source literacy instruction and coordinates public outreach efforts. She is a proud Marygrove College alumna and also graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies and a Master of Science in Information Studies. In her thesis, she coined a Black queer feminist archival praxis to ensure that Black people’s agency, Black cultural memory practices, and Black liberation are always honored in preservation work. Marcia’s mission is to ignite the archivist that exists within each of us and to preserve and share the histories of Black people, especially Black women and Black queer and trans people - whose stories are often erased. Marcia believes that archiving and storytelling are tools to help us build the beloved community necessary to create a liberated future. 

 Amanda J. Cain, currently the Team Photographer for the Detroit Pistons, is a distinguished professional photographer and curator based in Detroit, MI. With a rich background in music, higher education, sports, and photojournalism, Amanda brings a unique perspective to her craft. She made history as the NHL's first Black Female Team Phot

 Amanda J. Cain, currently the Team Photographer for the Detroit Pistons, is a distinguished professional photographer and curator based in Detroit, MI. With a rich background in music, higher education, sports, and photojournalism, Amanda brings a unique perspective to her craft. She made history as the NHL's first Black Female Team Photographer and worked extensively with the NBA. Her diverse portfolio reflects her passion for cultural awareness and representation, capturing impactful moments with precision and creativity. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Amanda is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of creatives, fostering an environment of growth and empowerment. She strives to inspire others and break new ground in the industry through her work. With a dedication to excellence and a focus on cultural awareness, Amanda continues to profoundly impact the creative landscape, advocating for greater diversity and representation. 

Sarah Fleming is a Detroit-based photographer specializing in creative fashion photography. Since picking up her first camera in 2019, she has worked with the Motown Museum, Black Ambition, The Lip Bar, and other Black-owned businesses. Her work uses composition, color, and lighting to capture emotion and celebrate the beauty and complexi

Sarah Fleming is a Detroit-based photographer specializing in creative fashion photography. Since picking up her first camera in 2019, she has worked with the Motown Museum, Black Ambition, The Lip Bar, and other Black-owned businesses. Her work uses composition, color, and lighting to capture emotion and celebrate the beauty and complexity of the Black experience.

Beyond her collaborations with brands and businesses, Sarah is primarily a portrait photographer. She approaches each session as a chance to connect deeply with her clients, capturing their beauty in ways they may have never seen before. This practice has also become a source of personal growth, leading her to create several self-portrait series that explore her own relationship with identity and self-expression.

Her personal work serves as a space for storytelling, inspired by observation, lived experience, and memory. Themes of self-love and self-obsession, duality, and nostalgia often emerge in her imagery—sometimes expressed in surreal or larger-than-life settings.

As a Black woman photographer, Sarah takes care in the images she crafts. While her subjects span a wide range, she finds particular resonance in portraying Blackness, an experience she knows intimately and honors through her art.