Mpozi Tolbert

The radio aired a program today that photographer Mpozi Tolbert passed away suddenly at age 34. I regret that it was because of his passing I was able to hear of him for the first time, but I was very moved by the story and by the description of him and his work. When I got home, I did some research on the web. People who knew him had this to say of him:

"“He liked looking at things, and he was able to see things in a unique way,” Jackson said. “He was able to see beauty and political value in very common things around him." -- and --

Ryerson said he had "a big heart, and a kind heart. I have seen him several times with subjects he was photographing, and he was, with them, as he always was with us -- totally courteous, with a kind sense of humor."

His photographs are even more moving than these quotes can explain. I found a number on Indystar.com, he was a photographer for The Star in Indiana (check it out! -- sorry I don't take the time to learn how to make the name of the web-site a link).

On the radio, an editor from The Star was being interviewed and told the story about the first time he met Mpozi when he was 26 y/o. He said he just HAD to meet this young photographer who beat out other big name photographers for the coveted position. He asked Mpozi, How did you get this job? Mpozi reportedly answered, "it was the Jedi Force." The editor said he loved him instantly.

Check out more photos by Tolbert of The Roots on Allhiphop.com.