We received this news from our colleague Jim Eigo of JazzPromotionServices.com.
We know the group that put out the word about this and we know Jim Belfon's work with the children of New York and New Orleans.
Appeal to JazzontheTube.com members on behalf of Jim Belfon
Too often the reward for making significant contributions to American culture and society is poverty, and in the case of medical difficulties, financial devastation. This is a case where together we can help a good man who is in grave difficulties due to forces beyond his control.
More information:
During Jim Belfon's active career, he worked and studied with the likes of James Van Der Zee, Gordon Parks and Richard Avedon. His work has appeared in Time Magazine, Essence, Sports Illustrated, Architectural Digest, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times.
Twenty-five years ago, this generous and talented man created the Photographic Center of Harlem where he taught photography to children and senior citizens in NYC at Harlem School Of The Arts, Central Park East School, St. James Senior Citizen Center, and New Song Community Church. Over its history, the Center served more than 5,000 children and senior citizens in the Greater New York City area.
Eight years ago, he established the Gulf South Photography Project which has taught free photography workshops to more than 1200 young people and senior citizens. To help New Orleaneans recover from the devastation following the collapse of the US Army Corps of Engineers levee system, he provided residents who lost priceless family momentos with more than 14,000 individual and family portraits.
Jim is currently ill in the last stages of prostate cancer and is in Hospice care. As is so often the case in situations like this, his illness has been financially devastating and he is need of help with the expenses of securing his photographic archives and paying for his home care and final arrangements.
If you're in a position to help, that would be great. We are getting the ball rolling with a $250 contribution.
If you're in New Orleans, there will be an event for him this weekend:
On Saturday, November 2, 2013, some of Jim’s friends and colleagues will host a tribute to honor Jim. A reception and fundraiser will be held at Christian Unity Baptist Church, 1700 Conti Street, New Orleans, Louisiana from 5-7 PM