Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
A new collaboration between renowned photographer Devin Allen and the AFRO aims to reshape narratives about Baltimore by using art, storytelling and social media to highlight often overlooked voices in the Black community.
The partnership is part of a pilot program between the historic newspaper and the Information Integrity Lab, designed to combat misinformation and reclaim community-centered stories. Allen, a West Baltimore native known for his Time magazine covers and powerful images from the Freddie Gray uprising, said the collaboration was a natural fit.
“It was a no-brainer,” Allen said. “They reached out to me about using my art and my platform to drive more connections to the AFRO. I loved the idea. Black media is important because a lot of times we don’t get to speak for ourselves.”
A self-taught photographer from West Baltimore, Allen grew up surrounded by the challenges and resilience of his neighborhood. Deeply influenced by the people and places around him, he first picked up a camera as a way to cope with loss and express what he saw in his community. That personal mission now aligns with a broader effort to preserve and elevate authentic local narratives.
His collaboration with the AFRO is part of a wider push by the Information Integrity Lab to build a digital ecosystem that strengthens Black communities online. That includes partnerships with artists, media outlets and culturally grounded tech tools designed to amplify truth and resilience.
Dana Peck, digital solutions director at the AFRO and participant in the pilot program, said working with Allen has already proven impactful.
“Partnering with a local social media influencer has been on our radar for a while, so I was excited to be selected for this pilot program,” Peck said. “What makes this so powerful is that Devin is more than just an influencer. He’s a storyteller whose vision shapes how the world sees our community.”
Allen said he hopes to connect the AFRO with younger audiences, using photography to elevate narratives about Black life that go beyond stereotypes.
“When people think about Baltimore, they often think about crime,” he said. “But there are so many stories here about family and community. I want to tell those stories — the frozen cup lady at the cookout, the coach no one hears about who shows up for the kids, the block parties, the quiet heroes.”
The AFRO’s recent focus on Black family life and the use of Allen’s photography in the coverage aligned with his goals.
“His images, especially in our Black family theme for this month, reclaim the narrative of Black fatherhood,” Peck said. “His story shows how art can shift culture. It’s more than content—it’s an intervention.”
Allen is also motivated by legacy. As the first Gordon Parks Fellow, he said he draws inspiration from Parks’ early work with the AFRO and sees the project as a continuation of that mission.
“Gordon Parks was the blueprint for me,” Allen said. “Finding out he had one of his first shows at Morgan State was powerful. I want to follow that path, using photography to document our lives with honesty and beauty.”
Peck said the collaboration also underscores the evolving role of the Black press in the digital age, where trusted messengers like Allen are key to reaching and informing wider audiences.
“When we partner with voices who already hold credibility in the community, we strengthen our role as a trusted source,” she said.
The collaboration is still taking shape, with Allen contributing photos from his archive and working closely with AFRO editors. He said he hopes this is just the beginning of a long-term relationship.
“I never want to be the last artist to do something,” Allen said. “If this works, maybe we can bring in more writers, more creatives. Baltimore is full of stories, we just need the platform to tell them.”
As part of this broader strategy, the Information Integrity Lab also supports the development of digital tools that center Black culture and build online resilience and expand access to trusted information.
The Information Integrity Lab is a digital innovation hub amplifying Black news and culture to create healthier online ecosystems for Black people. Onyx believes that by leveraging the power of creators and media resources steeped in Black history we can fight back against false information and harmful narratives about Black people. The lab is powered by an AI chatbot called Aisha, while also helping the Black press expand their reach through digital engagement and integration.