A recent exhibit introduced a community of black bikers to the CCNY community
by Ahmad Rouse.
The first time he saw the motorcycle club known as the Harlem Hellfighters, photographer Darius Vick knew there was nothing like this group of black bikers. And he loved the connection between the Harlem Hellfighters of 1917, the 369th Infantry Regiment that made history as the first all-black U.S. combat unit to be shipped overseas during WWI.To honor his work, the City College Center for Worker Education is displaying, “Denim & Chrome: Black Bikers in America,” Vick's 20 black and white photographs of the Harlem Hellfighters.Vick spent the last three years of his life capturing the essence of modern urban black riders by traveling through major cities to get a real sense of the black biker community nationwide. "Nobody, not black or white, has ever documented this club," says Vick. "I believe their stories and lives are important to our culture. What they represent speaks volumes to African-American history.”Vick made sure the students of City College, and all of New York had an opportunity to see candid photos of male bikers. Looking at the black leather and motorcycles, you can smell the burnt tires. The stitching on their pants, vests, and jackets, reminds you that honor extends from the original Hellfighters of 1917 all the way to 2012.If you miss the show, you can learn more about the Harlem Hellfighters and Darius Vick at his website.