The exhibition Alvin Lester: Portraits of Jackson Ward and Beyond presents twenty compelling portraits taken by photographer Alvin Lester in the late 1980s and early 1990s, capturing the heart and humanity of Richmond’s historic neighborhoods. With a keen eye for character and community, Lester turned his lens toward the people and businesses that defined Jackson Ward—once known as the “Harlem of the South”—as well as the surrounding areas of Northside and Church Hill.
Through his portraits, Lester documented beauticians, bakers, real estate brokers, and journalists—individuals whose daily work sustained Richmond’s Black business and cultural life. His images reveal the vibrancy and resilience of the city’s Second Street business district, a place that, in the decades following the Civil War, became a cornerstone of Black entrepreneurship and civic pride. Lester’s approach was both personal and historical: he understood that a city’s essence is reflected in those who build, serve, and nurture it.
Each portrait is more than a likeness; it is an act of preservation. Lester’s work honors not only the individuals he photographed but also the collective memory of a community that has faced—and transcended—economic, political, and social challenges. His subjects are presented with dignity and intimacy, standing as symbols of endurance and continuity within Richmond’s evolving landscape.
Now part of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts collection, these photographs form a visual archive of a crucial period in the city’s history. Curated by Dr. Sarah Kennel, the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how photography can both record and celebrate cultural heritage.
In capturing the soul of Jackson Ward and beyond, Alvin Lester leaves a lasting tribute to the spirit of Black Richmond—a reminder that community, rooted in history, continues to define the life of a city.
Image: Robert Wagstaff, Shoe Cobbler (detail), 1989–91, Alvin Lester (American, born 1947), gelatin silver print. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, National Endowment for the Arts Fund, 2025.96. © Alvin Lester
Instagram 
Facebook 
Pinterest 
X / Twitter 