[close] With an appreciation for the subtle as opposed to the sensational, In Our Own Image is a reflection of fifty years of African-American lives lived well. This is not a compensation, but a celebration of family and community, dignity and determination, the faith and optimism that have not only enabled the African-American community to endure, but to prevail over historic and systemic changes.

In Our Own Image is enhanced by the stunning portraits of well-known photographers, including Gordon Parks, P.H. Polk, Morgan and Marvin Smith, and lesser-known photographers who have reached into their scrapbooks and shoeboxes to share never-before-seen images of African-American grace, pride, and love that are priceless.

Weaving social, cultural, and historical vignettes, reminiscences and memories, this scrapbook explores a world seldom seen. We are the architects of dreams, pioneers of community, and warriors of style. We manage to carry on through tragedy and triumph, past setbacks and breakthroughs, in love and sorrow. We are molded in our own image.