Bio

Velvet S. McNeil has been privileged during her 25-year career to do work she is passionate about, including shooting photos, teaching young students, and showcasing her artwork in a gallery.

The New York native is an award-winning photojournalist who has photographed everything from community street fairs to the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. She did much of her visual journalism as a staff photographer for The Detroit News, however, her work also has appeared in national publications.

Ms. McNeil is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and has served on its Visual Task Force for 12 years. As a leader on the VTF board, she helps BIPOC visual journalists gain access to newsrooms around the country, a personal mission of hers.

Ms. McNeil earned her undergraduate degree in studio art and secondary art education at Marymount College, Tarrytown in New York and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in photography at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Ms. McNeil teaches photography at a New Jersey high school and visual communications courses at Jefferson University in Philadelphia.