C. Ron St.Clair

C. Ron St.Clair is a distinguished photojournalist whose roots trace back to the vibrant neighborhoods of Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen in New York City during the 1940s and 1950s. With family, community, and people at the core of his upbringing, Ron's daily ritual involved immersive walks from Chelsea to Battery Park, where he meticulously observed and studied the diverse characters inhabiting each neighborhood, akin to conducting an opera and casting the main players for an ensemble of great talent.

A master drummer at heart, Ron briefly served in the army before returning home to New York, where he reunited with childhood friend Charlie Smalls, the Tony Award-winning composer and songwriter of The Wiz. This serendipitous reunion led Ron to embark on a new chapter, both musically and visually, as Charlie invited him to document the set of The Wiz, thus igniting Ron's passion for photography.

With the gift of his first camera from bass player Teruo Nakamura, Ron's photographic journey began in earnest. He immersed himself in capturing the essence of his surroundings, from the vibrant neighborhoods to the pulsating heartbeat of New York City life. His work caught the attention of Con Edison, leading to collaborations on urban affairs booklets and eventually paving the way for Ron to curate and document life in the city throughout the 1970s.

In the late 1970s, Ron relocated to Washington, DC, where he became the personal photographer for mayoral candidate Arthur Fletcher. However, it was an invitation to President Carter’s White House to document a historic event spearheaded by Dyana Williams that solidified Ron's place in photographic history. His intimate behind-the-scenes captures of the event showcased the camaraderie among music luminaries and executives, immortalizing a pivotal moment in Black music history, which would become known as the impetus of Black Music Month.

For over four decades, Ron has been a stalwart figure in Washington, DC's photojournalism scene, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian and leaving an indelible mark with his work featured in various publications and exhibitions. A dedicated mentor, Ron has also shared his expertise with countless children and youth, teaching photography in schools and programs across the DC area.

Ron's contributions to the cultural landscape extend beyond photography, as evidenced by his involvement in the Netflix documentary I Called Him Morgan and his successful exhibition "Do You Hear What I See," paying homage to Black Music Month in Philadelphia. Today, Ron's legacy continues to thrive as he finds himself honored and featured in the National Museum of African American Music, a testament to his enduring impact on both Black music and the art of photography.