Napoleon Jones-Henderson

Napoleon Jones-Henderson (b. 1943, Chicago, Illinois, d. 2025, Boston, Massachusetts) was a renowned artist known for his long-term commitment to cultural representation and community engagement. A key figure in AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists), founded in 1968, as well as other intergenerational networks of Black artists, his work created images inspired by the lived experiences and cultures of communities in the African diaspora. Beyond his artistic creations, he has been an influential educator and mentor, holding various academic positions and engaging in community-building through art. The support of CARA’s Fellowship will allowed for the continuation of Jones-Henderson’s practice through his series Requiem for Our Ancestors and the creation of what the artist referred to as a “visual memoir.”

Portrait courtesy the artist and Black Artists of Boston Project