Duke Givens Captures the Power of Choice through Photography

Duke Givens is a photographer, documentarian, and social activist who made his life ambition to bring truth to power through his photography. The Long Beach City College alumnus documents that ambition in a powerful photography exhibit called “Power of Choice;” now on display at the school through Friday, March 22.

These photographs from the Long Beach life of Duke Givens present a schizophrenic world: of young men and women who “jumped off the porch” to join gangs and live the life with oftentimes deadly consequences contrasted with the community activists and professionals in Duke’s life. Somewhere along the life path, these two groups of people had to make a choice.

“A lot of people step out on a decision based on irrational thought. Or sometimes being put into a situation that you may be forced into or you’ve grown up in”

Duke Givens pulls no punches in documenting the lives of childhood friends and neighbors who are in “the life.” These are not TV-generated caricatures of “gangbangers.” The men and women project an honesty of their lives that doesn’t ask the viewer for permission to exist or for you to understand why they chose the life they led. It just is.

“Then you have the other side of individuals who have experienced civic governance in every capacity; whether it’s education, whether it’s medicine, whether it’s the political arena.”

Some of those include fellow Long Beach City College alumni Long Beach City Councilman Al Austin, Vice Mayor Dee Andrews and City College Board of Trustee Trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk.

The exhibit, Power of Choice, reflects the choices of both the childhood friends of Duke Givens made as well as his own. This is a testimony to the life path that he chose and the world that he has embraced. From the moment Givens understood the power of the camera in his hand, he has used it to make a statement about the world around him. Power of Choice is that statement.

PalacioMagazine.com interviewed Duke Givens at Long Beach City College about his photo exhibit, Power of Choice, and stories behind them. (Podcast was edited for time and technical issues)

Duke Givens Biography

“Sylvester “Duke” Givens is a Long Beach, CA native. After graduating from Polytechnic High School, Mr. Givens joined the United States Airforce. He served four years and was Honorably discharged.

Givens discovered a new hobby in photography and decided to polish up his new found skill set at Long Beach City College. His photography bloomed and touched people from a social positive standpoint.

His twenty-five years of experience in Photography has led him into a new venue of directing and creating documentaries that focus on social issues. Mr. Givens is a catalyst for social change, driven by his passion to guide young people one life at a time. His work has been recognized by Congress, NAACP, and various media outlets.”

You can learn more about the world of Duke Givens at dukegivensphotography.com.

The Power of Choice Exhibit

The photo exhibit by Long Beach City College Alumnus Duke Givens is on display at the LAC Campus, 4901 East Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808, in the Administration Building, T-1000. It is open to the public through Friday, March 22, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Call (562) 938-4111 for more information.

Duke Givens Empowerment Long Beach Long Beach City College Palacio Podcast Photography