Deborah Willis

Deborah Willis, Ph.D, is University Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and has affiliated appointments with the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Social & Cultural and the Institute of Fine Arts where she teaches courses on Photography & Imaging, iconicity, and cultural histories visualizing the black body, women, and gender. She is also the director of NYU’s Center for Black Visual Culture/Institute for African American Affairs. Her research examines photography’s multifaceted histories, visual culture, contemporary women photographers and beauty.  

She received the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship and was a Richard D. Cohen Fellow in African and African American Art, Hutchins Center, Harvard University; a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow, and an Alphonse Fletcher, Jr. Fellow. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received awards from the College Art Association for Writing Art History (2021) and  the Outstanding Service Award from the Royal Photographic Society in the UK. She has pursued a dual professional career as an art photographer and as one of the nation’s leading historians of African American photography and curator of African diasporic cultures. Excerpt from NYU.edu

Kevin Merida

Kevin Merida is the former executive editor of the Los Angeles Times. During his two-and-a-half years in the role, the newspaper won three Pulitzer Prizes.

Before joining the Times in June 2021, Merida was a senior vice president at ESPN and editor in chief of The Undefeated, a multimedia platform that explored the intersections of race, sports, and culture. During his tenure at ESPN, he also oversaw the investigative/news enterprise unit, the television shows “E:60” and “Outside the Lines,” and chaired ESPN’s editorial board. While at ESPN, the journalism he oversaw received three National Sports Emmys and 12 nominations.

Before joining ESPN, Merida spent 22 years at the Washington Post in a variety of reporting and editing roles including managing editor for news and features coverage. As managing editor, he helped lead the Post to four Pulitzer Prizes, and the newspaper embarked on a digital transformation that made it one of the fastest growing news organizations in the country.

Monice Hodges Sanders

A native of Prince George’s County, Monice Hodges Sanders is a former Verizon executive who currently works with Georgetown University as a Career Consultant and Strategist to students and professionals, emphasizing the power of managing one’s own career pathway.   She continues to utilize her expertise in executive development, teaching and mentoring, and is an avid supporter of the arts, and friend of Serengeti Gallery. 

Sanders’ love for literature and visual arts are a big part of her her family’s DNA.  She Chairs the Literary Arts Committee of Society, Inc. and is a proud mother of two published authors – son Chad Sanders (“Black Magic” and “How to Sell Out”), and daughter, Shannon Sanders (“Company”). 

Monice earned her MBA from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Spelman College. She is a member of multiple book clubs, including Oasis, of which Deborah Willis is a member.

From the Publisher:
Regardless of the election’s outcome, this book celebrates Harris’s indomitable spirit and the groundbreaking nature of her campaign. It’s a perfect keepsake of this trailblazing event and is perfect for fans, political enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by a woman who dares to break barriers and make history.

Kamala is a beautiful tribute to Kamala Harris’s remarkable rise from District Attorney in California to her historic presidential run in 2024. Curated by Deborah Willis and Kevin Merida, this visually captivating book features nearly 150 vibrant photographs that capture the joy, challenges, and triumphs of Harris’s campaign.

Rather than following a strict timeline, the book is thematically arranged into sections like “Family & Early Life,” “The Ascent,” and “Powerful Rooms.” Each section offers a unique perspective on Harris’s multifaceted life and career, complemented by insightful essays that place this pivotal election in context. It’s an essential read for anyone intrigued by American politics, women’s history, and the significance of representation.