Polly Irungu
Polly Irungu is a Kenyan-born, Washington, D.C.–based photographer, photo editor, and community builder who believes deeply in the power of visual storytelling to create access, equity, and change. Driven by curiosity, care, and a strong sense of responsibility, Polly is especially committed to uplifting Black and African women creatives whose stories have historically been overlooked. A former White House photographer and photo editor, she is passionate about representation, fairness, and building systems that allow talented people not just to be seen, but to thrive. As the founder of Black Women Photographers, Polly is most energized when she's connecting people, opening doors, and helping creatives gain the confidence, resources, and opportunities they deserve. Passionate about mentorship, collaboration, and community-building, she values both the craft of photography and the business behind it—believing sustainable careers are just as important as powerful images. Whether documenting history, leading conversations about equity in the creative industry, or supporting emerging photographers, Polly approaches everything with intention, generosity, and a belief in collective success.
We experience culture as something we can see, buy, and participate in. But long before that, it was built in community, in rooms, in conversations, in relationships that most people never see. Powered by True Chicago, this panel brings together photographers and creatives to talk about what in-person community has meant for their careers and why it still cannot be replicated online. In a world of followers and feeds, showing up in person matters as much as ever.
A panel with photographers who have documented history as it's being made. Drawing on academic work exploring how images drive social movements, the moderator guides panelists through questions about access, ethics, and the power of the image to shape collective memory.
Polly built Black Women Photographers in direct response to the excuses she kept hearing from editors and brands about why they weren't hiring more diversely.Polly built Black Women Photographers in direct response to the excuses she kept hearing from editors and brands about why they weren't hiring more diversely. Drawing from her experience on both sides of that conversation, as a working photographer and as a photo editor, she gives attendees a practical framework for navigating the industry, marketing themselves across markets, and building the kind of visibility that leads to real work.
Past grant recipients and judges from the Flickr x Black Women Photographers program gather to reflect on the work the grant has supported and what sustained investment in underrepresented voices looks like in practice. A candid conversation about community, visibility, and the long-term impact of intentional funding in photography.
Space is limited. Get your passes today.
