PITTSBURGH, PA – July 22, 2024 – Phillip Thompson, AKA DJ Big Phill, has been one of the hottest turntablists in Pittsburgh for two decades, and a renaissance man as an educator, photographer, art collector and filmmaker. On Friday, July 26, at 5:30 pm – Midnight, Thompson premieres his documentary and exhibit, Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), 980 Liberty Avenue.
Thompson, along with Pianist/Educator Howie Alexander, is a 2024 AWAACC B.U.I.L.D. Artist-in-Residence, made possible by the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
The July 26 schedule of events includes:
5:30 pm Doors open
5:30-6:15 pm VIP preview; bar service & food
6:15-6:30 pm Phill’s introduction to documentary, remarks from Janis Burley, Amanda Brandes and Kimberly Jacobs
6:30-7:30 pm Film screening
7:30-8:15 pm Panel w/ audience talk back with Shawn Martinbrough, Kahlil Gearon and Phill Thompson
8:15 pm Exhibit opening party, with special guests The Union DJs
12:00 am Event ends
Produced by his company, 33 and a Third Media, the film, which began production in 2022, documents Phill’s trek across the United States chronicling the overlooked, yet lucrative history and culture of African American comic book collectors. Thompson was inspired to make this film to document this hidden, but important part of Black life.
The film, and its accompanying exhibit in the Center’s Victoria and Benedum Galleries, will run through January 12, 2025. Gallery hours are 3:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday and Friday and 12:00 – 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. An expanded Director’s Cut, with footage from the exhibit, will be released in the future.
Produced by his company, 33 and a Third Media, the film, which began production in 2022, documents Phill’s trek across the United States chronicling the overlooked, yet lucrative history and culture of African American comic book collectors. Thompson was inspired to make this film to document this hidden, but important part of Black life.
“I shot the film because I felt it was something that was needed,” Thompson says. “We always complain about not telling our stories. Instead of me complaining about our stories not being told, I decided it was time for me to do it.”
Traveling from coast to coast, Thompson unveiled a vigorous and vibrant community of Black comic book collectors that defy easy categorization. “We have different tiers of collectors,” Thompson insists. “You have some collectors who are just casual fans. Some who buy everything. Some get things for historical aspects. There are those who only collect Black comics, who only collect Golden Age comics and collectors that only collect new stuff. We can’t put everybody in a particular box and say this is what a Black comic book collector looks like, because that’s impossible.”
The film and exhibit feature a potpourri of archival comic material, which includes popular Black characters like The Falcon, Luke Cage and Black Panther; items like the 1941, four-page Joe Louis comic published in True Comics #5 and cartoonists including Larry Fuller, writer and illustrator of Ebon, the first comic with a Black superhero, published in 1970.
Proclaiming that “Pittsburgh is the Mecca of Black comic book culture,” Thompson spotlights the contributions of The Pittsburgh Courier, which published Black comic strips, and cartoonists Jackie Ormes and Matt Baker.
The film and exhibit feature a potpourri of archival comic material, which includes popular Black characters like The Falcon, Luke Cage and Black Panther; items like the 1941, four-page Joe Louis comic published in True Comics #5 and cartoonists including Larry Fuller, writer and illustrator of Ebon, the first comic with a Black superhero, published in 1970.
Proclaiming that “Pittsburgh is the Mecca of Black comic book culture,” Thompson spotlights the contributions of the Pittsburgh Courier, which published Black comic strips, and cartoonists Jackie Ormes and Matt Baker.
“Jackie Ormes was the first Black female cartoonist,” Thompson proclaims. “She was in The Courier. She was huge. Then you have Matt Baker, who was from Homewood and went to Westinghouse High School. He is considered one of the G.O.A.T.’s of the Golden Age of comics in the 40s and 50s. His artwork was so good … the way he drew women was unreal. His books today all sell for a premium price. There are no inexpensive Matt Baker books. I’m in the process of getting a street named after him, because I believe his house is still standing in Homewood.”
The golden age of comics, spanning the late 1930s to the early 1950s, was a period of immense creativity and cultural impact, with Pittsburgh playing a significant role in this vibrant era. Two icons from this time, Matt Baker and Jackie Ormes, left an indelible mark on the industry.
Matt Baker, a Pittsburgh native, is celebrated for his pioneering work in comic book art. As one of the first prominent African American artists in the industry, Baker’s elegant and dynamic style was showcased in titles such as “Phantom Lady” and “Canteen Kate.” His artwork not only captivated audiences but also set new standards for artistic excellence in comics.
Jackie Ormes, another trailblazer, was the first African American woman cartoonist in the United States. Her creation, “Torchy Brown,” first appeared in 1937, and her later work, “Patty-Jo ‘n’ Ginger,” gained widespread acclaim. Ormes’ characters were notable for their depth and realism, breaking away from stereotypes and providing a strong voice for African American women during a time of significant social change. Together, Baker and Ormes represent the spirit of innovation and diversity that defined Pittsburgh’s contribution to the golden age of comics, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire artists and storytellers today.
The Pittsburgh Courier, established in 1907, stands as one of the most influential African American newspapers in the United States. Founded by Edwin Harleston and later helmed by Robert L. Vann, the Courier played a pivotal role in advocating for civil rights and providing a voice to the Black community during times of intense racial segregation and discrimination. The newspaper not only delivered news but also showcased Black culture, arts, and achievements, becoming a crucial platform for Black comic artists and illustrators.
In the early 20th century, Black comic artists faced significant barriers in mainstream media, which largely excluded or misrepresented African Americans. The Pittsburgh Courier provided an alternative space for these artists to develop and display their work, contributing to the rich tapestry of African American art and literature. The Courier published numerous comic strips and illustrations that highlighted Black experiences, combining humor, social commentary, and cultural pride.
One of the most notable comic strips published by the Courier was “Bungleton Green” by Jay Jackson. Debuting in the 1920s, the strip became a beloved feature, evolving over decades to address social and political issues directly impacting the Black community. Jackson’s work, along with other artists featured in the Courier, laid the groundwork for future generations of Black comic artists.
The influence of the Pittsburgh Courier extended beyond its pages, as it nurtured and promoted talents that would inspire subsequent Black cartoonists and graphic artists. By providing a platform for Black creativity and perspective, the Courier significantly contributed to the broader recognition and appreciation of Black comic art in American culture.
Thompson is already a vital figure in the city. Born in 1971 in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Thompson moved to Pittsburgh and grew up in the Penn Hills section of the city. Thompson’s father and stepfather were both influential in stimulating his lifelong love of comics at the age of eight. “My dad got me into Black Panther because he had a stack of Black Panther books, Western comics and Spider Man books,” Thompson fondly recalls. “When we were kids, we would sneak around looking at his comic books and risk getting a whooping, but it was that important for us to go look at them while he was at work.
My stepfather from New Jersey had three comics: a Spider-Man, Thor and a Captain America book. He said, ‘I have some more for you,’ and then he came up with a box of Silver Age comic books… both he and my father were collectors in their own right.”
Thompson developed an interest in DJing and filmmaking at the age of 15, graduated from Penn Hills High School, went back to Holly Springs to attend Rust College, moved back to Pittsburgh, and started his career as DJ Big Phill, mixing jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop. Thompson released his first film, The Archives, which documented Pittsburgh’s hip-hop community, in the summer of 2000 at the Andy Warhol Museum.
He also formed The Union, a conglomerate of Pittsburgh’s finest DJs in 2022, and was selected as the Best Club DJ 2023 by the Pittsburgh City Paper. Thompson won the Man of Excellence Award from the New Pittsburgh Courier and was included in Pittsburgh’s 50 Years of Hip-Hop Celebration.
Thompson will also be spinning at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival’s Taste of Jazz Party on Friday, September 20, 9:00 pm – midnight 12pm, at the AWAACC. For tickets, log on here.
But as satisfying as those accomplishments are, Thompson’s roles as a father and educator devoted to his community have more significance for him. Thompson’s outreach activities include his work as a coordinator for Westinghouse High School’s Lighthouse Program, where he took students from that school to Prague, and documented their journey in the documentary, Pittsburgh to Prague.
He also works with kids at ACH Clear Pathways, a state-of-the-art arts facility for children.
“In the media program that I’m working in right now, I got these young Black twins who are super dope artists,” Thompson proudly says. “They’re eight, nine years old, and I’m putting some of their artwork in the exhibit.”
For Thompson, Collections in Black not only exposes the Black comic community to the world; it also helps him establish a nationwide connection to that community. “I was able to create these relationships, which is what allowed me to get in all these different spaces that a lot of people can’t even get into,” Thompson remembers. “The one thing I think is dope is that I’ve been able to drop knowledge on people, and a lot of these artists, writers, collectors, creators and companies already know who I am, by word of mouth and the internet … It’s humbling.”
Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday 3:00 – 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 12:00 – 5:00 pm. For tickets and more information on the Residency Program, Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture and other events at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, go to: https://awaacc.org
About Richard King Mellon Foundation
About the Richard King Mellon Foundation: Founded in 1947, the Richard King Mellon Foundation is the largest foundation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and one of the 50 largest in the world. The Foundation’s 2023 year-end net assets were $2.9 billion, and its Trustees in 2023 disbursed more than $176 million in grants and program-related investments. The Foundation focuses its funding on six primary program areas, delineated in its 2021-2030 Strategic Plan.
About August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, please visit awaacc.org.
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a non-profit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s cultural district that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the non-profit organization welcomes more than 119,000 visitors locally and nationally. Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers speaker series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today. www.awaacc.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Carolyn McClair
(212) 721-3341 | cmcclair@awaacc.org