The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power unveiled a new photo exhibit at the John Ferraro Building in Downtown Los Angeles in celebration of Juneteenth.

“And Still We Rise!” spotlights imagery and important milestones of the Black experience in Los Angeles and the United States. It was introduced at an employee event on June 14, and members of the public can view the exhibit throughout the summer.

“Right now, everything is controversial, which is why it is so important that we take the time to share and understand our history, particularly in the face of those who would bury, dismiss, distort or erase it,” said Cynthia McClain-Hill, president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. “What you see in the exhibit is the story of struggle, the story of striving, the story of hope, the story of triumph and setback told in images, many that were developed by artists here in the city of Los Angeles.”

Commissioned by LADWP’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and curated by Jill Moniz, the exhibit is organized through a timeline that features historic events throughout the history of the United States and Los Angeles. Highlights include President Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger enforcing the manumission of Texas’s enslaved population, the history of Los Angeles’ first Black mayor Tom Bradley and the first Black woman to travel to space Mae Jemison, and the story of Karen Bass, the first Black woman to be elected mayor in Los Angeles. McClain-Hill also unveiled a photograph of Tennessee House of Representative members Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who were expelled from the legislature for protesting gun violence and calling on the state legislators to pass stricter gun control reforms in response to gun violence at a Nashville school. The Tennessee legislators were later reinstated.

The introductory event included McClain-Hill, LADWP general manager and chief Engineer Martin L. Adams and LADWP senior assistant general manager of diversity, equity and inclusion Gregory R. Reed. Radio personality Dominique DiPrima hosted the event, which included music by Anthony “Jawan” McEastland and Singers.

“And Still We Rise!” will be on display through August at the John Ferraro Building, 111 N. Hope St. The building is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

For information, visit www.ladwpnews.com.