NYABJ Remembers Long Time Member Darrell T. Hazelwood

14 minutes ago

5 min read

NYABJ Staff

NYABJ lost a pillar of our community, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share memories of our dear friend Darrell T. Hazelwood.

Darrell T. Hazelwood was a silent yet perennial presence at National Association of Black Journalists conventions, letting his 35mm camera and long lens speak.

The images, clockwise from the upper left: The Trotter Group opinion writers’ 1995 White House meeting – Gregory Freeman, Betty Winston Baye, DeWayne Wickham, et al, with President Bill Clinton; our first three women presidents, Vanessa Williams [1997-1999], Sidmel Estes-Sumpter [1991-1993], and Dorothy Butler Gilliam [1993-1995]; NABJ Presidents Les Payne [1981-1983], Art Fennell [1995-1997], and Thomas Morgan [1989-1991], and Cornel West when he jousted with fellow public intellectual Shelby Steele during the W.E.B. DuBois debate at the 1999 Unity Journalists of Color convention in Seattle. — The images, clockwise from the upper left: The Trotter Group opinion writers’ 1995 White House meeting – Gregory Freeman, Betty Winston Baye, DeWayne Wickham, et al, with President Bill Clinton; our first three women presidents, **Vanessa Williams** [1997-1999], **Sidmel Estes-Sumpter** [1991-1993], and **Dorothy Butler Gilliam** [1993-1995]; NABJ Presidents **Les Payne** [1981-1983], **Art Fennell** [1995-1997], and **Thomas Morgan** [1989-1991], and Cornel West when he jousted with fellow public intellectual Shelby Steele during the W.E.B. DuBois debate at the 1999 Unity Journalists of Color convention in Seattle.

Hazelwood’s photos illustrated the cover of my second of three NABJ histories.

Hazelwood’s prolific period spanned the 1990s. I am eternally grateful for his art.

Many more of Hazelwood’s images live on in the scores of photographs he provided to the NABJ Archives that I curated with the blessing of President Dorothy Tucker [2019-2023].

Darrell T. Hazelwood has left a beautiful legacy for which we all should be grateful.

-- Wayne Dawkins, NABJ chairman of historical records, 1991-1999, regional director [NY, NJ, Conn.] 1984-1989, three-time NABJ biographer.

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I'm very heartbroken, he was one of the first members to welcome me when I first became a member. He was a very talented and amazing photographer; he gave me plenty of tips on how to be a better photographer. He will be deeply missed. - Jes'se O. Whitehead

What a blow to hear that NYABJ BRO Darrell T. Hazelwood's photo assignment here on earth is a wrap. I met Darrell in 1995 when I moved from Atlanta to NYC. He was among the NYABJ members who immediately welcomed me into the ranks. And FAMILY we became and have been. And what I could always count on - event to event? Darrell was going to have his camera around his neck; shoot some amazing candids and posers; and - during the day - he was going to print those out and - in my case - mail the pix of me that he captured. Once the industry became digital, he'd still take that time to send the hard copy prints which I always appreciated. As our industry is turning topsy-turvy and folks are figuring out their pivots, one thing I could continue to count on - as NYABJ went: Darrell with his camera. Now, not sure what I can count on except that I miss him. What a blow.

-Patrick Riley

A memory that I have with Mr. Hazelwood is from the NYABJ holiday event in 2024. Of course, he kept taking pictures of me and everyone else at the event. I told him no more photos of me unless he dances with me. He started dancing and was killing it with his footwork & brightened my day! I’m bummed I couldn’t make the vigil and sending love to everyone… his family and friends. Darrell was such a light and always brought the good vibes.

-Afriyie Free Amankwaa

In the fall of 2022, I asked Darrell, whom I'd met while we worked together at Newsday, if I could hire him to photograph my baby shower. He quickly agreed and went on to take beautiful photos at my shower. At the end of the shower, I asked him how he preferred to be paid — with a check or via Venmo/Zelle. Darrell refused payment, telling me to wait until I saw the photos and that if I liked how they came out, I could pay him and if I didn't, then I didn't have to. I told him that was ludicrous lol because we'd entered into a verbal contract and I sent him home with a check. This was just one of many examples of how Darrell put others before himself and truly just enjoyed capturing milestone moments for others. I will miss receiving holiday cards in the mail from Darrell for Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day. Luckily, I've saved them all throughout the years and have them to hold on to. I will also miss his words of encouragement and support for my work. Whenever I shared any of my stories on Facebook, Darrell would be among the first to comment with encouragement and praise.

-Janelle Griffith

I've never attended an event without Darrell present to capture and document the history of NYABJ. What a wonderful gift to tell our stories through pictures. You are missed!

-Sharon Barnes-Waters

Photos Courtesy: David Trotman-Wilkins

Darrell T. Hazelwood was a devoted member of NYABJ and a kind soul. As a former chapter president, I got to know him well and called him our official NYABJ photographer. Presidents come and go, but Darrell T. Hazelwood was a constant in our organization. He took so many amazing photos over the years, many posted to our Facebook, and contributed in so many other ways as well to our organization. On a personal note, not a Christmas went by without a holiday card from him. He was one of the most thoughtful people I knew. Darrell will be missed, but he leaves a lasting legacy. - Julie Walker

For so many amazing years, it can be said that an NYABJ event didn't truly begin unless one caught sight of the great Darrell T. Hazelwood, with his camera in tow, pacing from moment to moment. He understood his assignment and pursued it with a drive that made for fascinating viewing in itself. He knew that he was capturing scenes of joy, revelry, empowerment, and pride among those who (against so many odds) have been in the business of capturing the proverbial first draft of history and well beyond. And so his stellar work, in turn, represents important history too. The professionalism, dedication, skill, and liveliness that he has embodied in life is on full display in each and every photo that he ever took. May Mr. Hazelwood rest in eternal power. - Curtis Stephen

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It still hurts to think that Mr. Hazelwood is no longer with us. Although he always told me to call him Darrell, I never could. I simply had too much respect for him.

He was so much more than an amazingly talented photojournalist; he was my friend. He welcomed me into NYABJ from the very beginning and was always present and supportive.

Even when I got married, I invited him as a guest, and, of course, he showed up with his camera around his neck. Some of my favorite wedding photographs are the ones he took that day.

There are so many thoughts I have and so many words I wish I could say. But above all, I want everyone to know what a kind, generous and talented soul Mr. Hazelwood was. His presence will be deeply missed, but his photographs, the memories he captured and the lives he touched will live on. - Bonita Sostre