Gordon Parks

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks: attended segregated schools, was discouraged by teachers from college aspirations, and after his mother's death ended up on the streets. Got a job at a flophouse, got a camera, got encouragement from the clerk who developed his film, worked his way up shooting portraits, fashion and documentary until doing assignments for Vogue and Life despite prejudice. Wrote music, an autobiographical novel, and directed films including Shaft in 1971.