To celebrate Black History Month, I've put together a list of fantastic contemporary photographers for you to check out. The images and perspectives of these photographers have contributed to the future of the art form and have helped strengthen the field of photography as a whole. I hope you enjoy taking some time to look at their impressive bodies of work.

I would also encourage you to subscribe to my blog at the bottom of this list to make sure not to miss any future posts.

My next installment will be about the relationship between art and politics, especially during our current administration and it will include a comprehensive guide on what we can all do to be heard and make a difference, especially artists. So, don't miss out!

Melissa Bunni Elian is a Haitian-American journalist using words, photos and video to tell multimedia stories.

Portrait by Melissa Bunni Elian, from *afropunk x ferguson*

Latoya Ruby Frazier creates work addressing industrialism, rustbelt revitalization, environmental justice, healthcare inequity, family and communal history.

Latoya Ruby Frazier, from *The Notion of Family*

Latoya Ruby Frazier, from *Pier 54: A Human Right to Passage*

Hank Willis Thomas is a photo conceptual artist working primarily with themes related to identity, history and popular culture.

Hank Willis Thomas, *Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Us Around*

Ruddy Roye is a Brooklyn based documentary photographer specializing in editorial and environmental portraits and photo-journalism photography.

Ruddy Roye, from *The Common Treads Project*

Ruddy Roye, from *Dancehall: In the Wake of Daggering*

Khalik Allah is a street photographer and filmmaker whose work has been described as "street opera."

Tarji Smedley is a commercial, fashion, lifestyle photographer, and photojournalist.

Russell Frederick is a photographer whose global world view and keen understanding of the human condition informs his compelling photography.

Ivan Forde is a Guyanese born Harlem raised photographer with interests in new media.

Kwesi Abbensetts looks for beauty and something compelling through his photography to make you see yourself a different way.

Lebohang Kganye is a photographer whose work often incorporates her interest in sculpture and performance of the archive and memory.

Omar Victor Diop looks at his photography as a means to capture the diversity of modern African societies and lifestyles.