Column | The Bronx Documentary Center looks back at the Bronx with Joe Conzo

Between 1977 and 1984, there were some significant changes being made in the Bronx. There were some negative circumstances, like the overwhelming number of in-home fires across the borough, as well as some positive, like the cultural movement caused by the rise of hip-hop.

A lot could be said about that time, but nothing could describe it the way a picture can. That’s why it’s such a great thing that Joe Conzo was present at some of the most significant activist and cultural events of the late 70s and early 80s, along with his camera. From the birth of hip-hop to the struggles and triumphs of everyday life, Conzo’s camera has been a silent witness to it all, documenting the evolution of a community with unparalleled authenticity and empathy.

Conzo is a South Bronx native and a Walk of Fame inductee who picked up a love for photography as a young child, and eventually went to study at the School of Visual Arts. According to the Bronx Documentary Center’s website, he photographed the fires as well as school walkouts. Many of the photos he took as a teenager were proof of the beginnings of hip hop, like his photos of the Cold Crush Brothers and rap battles between other groups. This led to his work being featured in the book “Born in The Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop” which was later added to the permanent hip hop collection at Cornell University.

The Cornell Hip Hop Collection loaned negatives of Conzo’s photos to the Bronx Documentary Center so they could host an exhibition of Conzo’s work through April 21. The exhibition is a celebration of community and a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Bronx itself. It is a reminder that amidst the challenges and struggles, there exists a wealth of beauty, creativity and untold stories waiting to be discovered and shared. You can visit the exhibition on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.