Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
My subjects are newsmakers: Actors who have starred in Academy Award-winning movies, Olympic gold medalists, book authors, runway fashion models, titans of business, U.S. Surgeon General, and two astronauts. I am an active member of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
The friendly skies are active.
It was 1965, when United Airlines introduced its slogan, "Fly the friendly skies." (Leo Burnett Worldwide advertising, Chicago).
Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
I just finished writing these words.
Briefly, I thought about waiting until February to post the photograph and story, then realized how disrespectful that would be.
There is Black history in every month.
#DiscriminationIsNotPretty
Senator Ulysses Lee "Rip" Gooch, the subject of my 88-minute video years ago, described racial prejudice he encountered as an African-American pilot and businessman.
This photograph is of a live interview we did for a popular morning network-television show in Tennessee.
Topic of morning television tend to be more superficial than profound, and it's always great publicity.
The two interviewers were upbeat about the scheduled premiere of the video.
As the interview progressed, I felt the discussion needed to go deeper. His life was not simply about being successful, it was about being successful in a white man's world, with ever-present barriers.
I brought up inequities Senator Gooch encountered, with this story: Early in his aviation career, he was teaching students, white, to fly airplanes. His students formed a club, and held regular meetings, however Rip was never invited to attend a meeting.
He mentioned his desire to attend a meeting. The club member stammered, "Well...we have these meetings in our HOMES...and...and...our WIVES are there...and...".
I concluded with the dichotomy of these students trusting Rip with their lives while being taught how to fly, and being uncomfortable including him in other contexts.
The tenor of the interview changed; the once-smiling faces of our interviewers went from enthusiasm, to wondering how to recover the cheerfulness of their morning show.
Please read this book about Senator Gooch: "Black Horizons: One Aviator's Experience in the Post-Tuskegee Era" by Glen Sharp.
#WomenYouShouldKnow
Casi Joy is home in Nashville, after 7 months on the road performing.
Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
@CasiJoyMusic
While at Oak Park Mall, I walked to the area where Kansas City Fashion Week was held last fall.
I enjoyed good photography memories as I walked the runway, still faintly marked.
Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
#ShowYouCare
During the Kansas City Chiefs AFC playoff football game Sunday night, a message was broadcast supporting Kansas City's healthcare workers.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, produced the video honoring healthcare professionals who deserve our support.
Here is the link to the video: https://vimeo.com/668745066
Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
David Toland left Kansas to work in Washington, D.C., with Mayor Anthony A. Williams. He held key leadership positions in the District of Columbia Economic Development and Planning offices.
When Mr. Toland returned to Kansas, he was appointed Secretary of Commerce for the state.
In 2021, he was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Kansas.
Photograph © 2019 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
Four-time Grammy nominee Oleta Adams was a guest on The Real talk show, January 19, 2022.
I first saw Oleta perform in 1975 at The Signboard Lounge in Kansas City, Missouri.
British pop group Tears For Fears asked Oleta to record the Seeds of Love album with them.
She traveled with Phil Collins, and performed with Luther Vandross.
Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
A pigeon hit this dusty window, leaving an impression of its extended left wing, and body.
It flew away; perhaps it was not injured.
Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.
At a stylish event, Steve Metzler, patron of the arts, was enthusiastically admiring my necktie, explaining how much he enjoyed sailboats.
I always liked this tie, however Steve LOVED it.
For a fleeting moment, I considered taking it off and giving it to him. Or, I could have mailed it to him.
Steve died unexpectedly soon after, and I regret that decision to not follow my impulse.
Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.@RalphLauren
I was the hand double for Gary Sinise in a feature movie, spending a couple of hours with him in makeup, and the entire day wearing his pajamas.
For this photograph, I am simultaneously model and photographer.
On my wrist is a recent version of the Hamilton Ventura watch, first introduced in 1957.
Elvis Presley owned one of the originals, and wore it in his movie Blue Hawaii (1961).
It is the watch worn in Men In Black I (1997), III (2017), and IV (2019) by Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Tessa Thompson.
Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
#WomenYouShouldKnow
Kansas City Fashion Week.
Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
For the 34th consecutive year, Greyhound Bus is collaborating with National Runaway Safeline providing free bus tickets to bring runaway, homeless, and exploited youth home, or relocate to a safe place.
Youth must be between 12 and 21 years old, and youth must first call National Runaway Safeline at 800 786-2929.
Each year, this project helps approximately individuals.
Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.
My photograph from April, 2020, when mask guidelines were issued.
Costco.
Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.
All rights reserved.