Back in November I received a message from the Southern Poverty Law Center. They needed a photographer for a profile they were doing for their magazine “Learning for Justice” (formerly Teaching Tolerance). The subject, Veronica Menefee, is a Baltimore-based special education consultant as well as a board member of Learning for Justice.
The SPLC wanted a colorful background, and worked with Veronica to find an elementary school whose library we could use. The day before the shoot, one of the school’s staff members tested positive for COVID, meaning we were back to square one. I contacted Jonathan Dimes, a local photographer who documents murals throughout Baltimore City, and asked if he knew of any elementary schools with colorful murals. He directed me to the Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School in Bolton Hill and their delightful mural by Megan Lewis. I met Veronica there on a chilly afternoon. When we had our initial call I told her to bring colorful clothing. She said she didn’t have any but in the interim purchased a few bright items that integrated beautifully with the artwork.
The profile and photo was published recently and Veronica was kind enough to send me a copy. I hope you will take the time to read about this dedicated professional and the work she does in the special needs area. I am proud to have worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center and happy we were able to use one of Baltimore’s fun murals as a backdrop.