ABOUT POP
An extention of the book, “Pop: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood”, this blog supports the fact that there truly are many wonderful, present, committed and loving Black fathers. Black children not only need their fathers but also need to know that this large community of men exists, fostering a sense of confidence and value within themselves.
Your support helps strengthen and encourage us all!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol Ross is an artist and advocate for the health, wellness and stability of Black men with children. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts, Ross never left a stone unturned, always seeking the beauty beneath the hidden. On her 10th birthday, her mother gave her a camera and it was then that her quest for intimacy with the world began to unfold. As Author, Producer, Photographer and former Actor, Carol Ross has always maintained a position in front of or behind the camera, appearing in several commercial and print ads including Toyota, Lexus, FedEx, Nabisco, Frito Lay, and Chevrolet. Behind the lens, Ross produced two documentaries, exploring the welfare to work program and affirmative action, which aired nationally on NBC, hosted by Malcolm Jamal Warner and Nia Long. “It was then that I realized I had much more to say. My profession began to redefine itself. Interviewing and capturing people on film revealed how many voices need to be heard but never get the attention.”
During production Ross also captured stills with particular interest on the children and their lives within the welfare system. According to Ross, “From that point forward photography became another tool for lifting veils. Through the lens, the background revealed a landscape designed for captivity but in the forefront, there stood a child whose heart was still free to soar. The remaining innocence was captivating. I wanted to preserve that aspect and the still camera allowed me to do that. As a result of that experience I approach my work with a deeper look into what could ultimately be healing. Visually, I seek to change angles and break conventional technical rules, always searching for new ways to view and interpret the world –sometimes with humor, always with compassion.”
Ross is best known for her début book, POP: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood, with a forward by Samuel L. Jackson. Since its unveiling POP was featured in Essence, Heart & Soul, O Magazine, Baby Talk, The Washington Post, the cover of the Chicago Tribune, and profiled in Chicago Sun Times, Advertising Age, the Boston Globe, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and others. Ross’ photographs have appeared in publications including Ebony, VIBE, Village Voice and in the book 73 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep. Ross has also made guest appearances on ABC 7 Chicago, “Your Morning on CN8” with Greg Coy, Oprah & Friends Radio with Gayle King, XM Satellite Radio and WVON Chicago with Santita Jackson. Ross then partnered with the prestigious Chicagobased Burrell Communications to develop and promote a black father’s initiative. POP served as the cornerstone for the national campaign, which included public service announcements in Ebony, Jet, Sister 2 Sister, Black Enterprise and Rolling Out as well as spots on BET, TV1 and a radio spot on Radio One. In 2008, POP was nominated as an Essence Magazine Literary Award Finalists in Photography. Images from the POP collection have exhibited at Gallery Guichard in Chicago, the Engaging Men 2009 Symposium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and most recently the Augusta Savage Gallery at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In addition to POP, Ross made photographic contributions promoting Dr. Cornell West’s latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations. The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia commissioned Ross to photograph the “Social Identity” exhibition for “Identity: An Exhibition of You” exhibited at the California Science Center, Boston Museum of Science, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Fort Worth Museum of Science & History and travels throughout 2011. Ross was also known as on-air host of Smooth Jazz After Dark radio show, broadcast on 106.3 FM New England. As a producer, she has completed principal photography on an independent feature film project titled “Changing Penny” as well as a documentary about her father, musician and theorist Dr. Roland Wiggins. Ross resides in Massachusetts and continues to work on subsequent books and other projects.
Ross is determined and fully committed to changing the perception of Black fathers for the growth of community and development of children!
