Celebrating Gordon Parks' legacy through theater

Gordon Parks was a celebrated photographer, filmmaker, musician and artist. Originally from Fort Scott, Kansas, Parks moved to St. Paul as a teenager and lived with his sister until he was forced to leave. He worked as a staff photographer at local black-owned newspapers, the St. Paul Recorder and the Minneapolis Spokesman, and he shot the latest fashions for Frank Murphy’s Department Store in downtown St. Paul. Parks became a powerful storyteller and activist, with much of his work centering around Black life. A new play at the History Theatre in St. Paul honors his legacy.

Robin Hickman-Winfield is Parks’ great-niece and a media creator, producer and community advocate. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about the play called Parks: A Portrait of a Young Artist. Robin, welcome to Minnesota Now.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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