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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Video: Opening of Aquí Estamos by José Galvez

by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

On February 5, the Council hosted an opening reception to see the work of Pulitzer Prize winning photographer José Galvez at City Gallery, 118 South Person Street in Raleigh. Video from opening night is below.

For more than 40 years, José Galvez has used black and white film to create a powerful and unparalleled historical record of the Latino experience in America. His compelling work, done with respect, pride and no pretense, captures the beauty of daily life. For José, photographing the lives of Latinos is not a one-time project or “current passion” but a lifelong commitment.

The reception was part of the First Friday Gallery Walk and was made possible through the NC Council of Churches, Vintage Church and the City Gallery and generous funding from Z. Smith Reynolds. The show will be up all February.

 

And coverage by WRAL begins at the 9:50 mark below in this video

About Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Jennie was born and raised in Savannah, GA. She moved to Texas for her undergraduate education at Rice University, during which time she studied in Mexico, Peru and Argentina and participated in service projects in Central America. After graduation she moved to Spain for a year to teach English. Jennie then came to North Carolina for a dual degree MDiv/MSW graduate program at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill where her work focused on advocating for farmworkers and organizing churches for social justice. Recently graduated, Jennie is excited to use these skills in her role at the Council of Churches as she works to help improve conditions for immigrants and farmworkers in the state.

Jennie lives in Durham and attends First Presbyterian Church. In her free time she enjoys dancing, distance running, traveling, walking her dog, and planning her upcoming wedding. Jennie can be reached at: jennie@ncchurches.org.