Clayborn Benson at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum
Clayborn Benson, retired WTMJ photojournalist and founder of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum, talks about MATC's influence on his career and his graduate studies
How did MATC's Photography program impact your career path?
I would not have been able to get the job at WTMJ had I not enrolled in MATC's Photography program. One of the conditions of my employment with WTMJ was that I enroll in MATC's Photography program. I started at WTMJ on August 12, 1968, and later in the month of that same year, I started classes at MATC. I stayed there for two years before being drafted into the Army, where I served as a photographer for seven years.
Would you share a few of your fond memories from your time at MATC?
I developed some close friends at MATC, most of us were from the same high school, and we are still friends. My wife, at the time, ran for Miss MATC and was the first runner up. We had a great time supporting her effort. The African American student body collaborated around her winning first runner-up of the pageant.
What specifically did you learn in MATC's Photography program that helped you in your studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
I enrolled in UW-Milwaukee after returning from the service. After my time at MATC, I felt I was ready. At MATC, I learned determination. I had to work hard to accomplish my goals to get through college.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming photojournalists as they cover stories ranging from conflicts overseas to the rising cost of living in the United States?
My advice for students is to learn as much as you can — everything from computer operations to economics, and even making travel arrangements. Photography covers so many areas of importance. The more learned you are, the better able you are to be on top of your game.
I was a true-blood photographer. I loved it! In fact, when I transferred to UW-Milwaukee, I graduated from their film program as an honor student. I took the things that I learned from MATC's Photography program on that journey to receive my bachelor's of fine arts degree from UW-Milwaukee.
When did your love of history begin?
It first began when I worked in my father's barbershop. He shared historical information and memories with customers that came into the barber shop. The stories he told echoed in my mind, but I never relaly saw history as a way of earning a living. Photography, for me, was a way of earning a living. Everywhere I went, I took pictures. My understanding of a trip or traveling was to take pictures of the location, events and the people.
How did your work as a photojournalist shape your storytelling?
I see storytelling and photojournalism as two different mediums. Photography put me in a position where I'm able to see the various stories and process them. That helped me appreciate the life and times of many people and events that I was able to experience. The journey between photography and storytelling was a gradual and visible transition. I might add that my teachers at MATC were quite personable, demanding and very insistent on me learning the craft of photography. I always kept them at the forefront of my mind as I traveled throughout the world and interviewed people.
Which historical figures in Milwaukee do you find most inspiring? Why?
As a historian, I've been fortunate enough to study and read about all of my people who have migrated to Wisconsin. I must say that I'm quite impressed with some of the early arrivals who were very insistent about having the right to vote — people like Ezekiel Gillespie. I'm in awe of Jonathan J. Myers, who made a decision to travel to Africa with his son in 1860, without a passport or permission to do so. I love the spirit of William T. Green, an African American attorney, who demanded that African Americans be treated equally in public spaces. Nothing would have occurred without the spirit of our sisters, like Mrs. Hattie Fountain, a pianist from Kentucky who became a member of the Marcus Garvey movement and organized the Milwaukee chapter of Black Cross Nurses to treat African Americans who contracted tuberculosis. Mrs. Bernice Lindsay was someone you would never see on the picket lines, but she was very much involved with issues such as housing. She acquired a plot of land for a subdivision in 1939 for returning war veterans and encouraged them to build their own homes. Mrs. Lindsay also took a delegation of people to West Africa to meet the president of the Congo. She was also involved in creating the Inner City Arts Council and later, the Creative Center. She was one of the founding members of the Delta Sigma Theta-Milwaukee Chapter in the mid-1940s. And, of course, there are many, many others who have made a big difference in our community.
When you do presentations for school groups (at the museum), what question is asked most often?
Does Wisconsin have a history relevant to Black people? And my answer is, yes it does. Most often people see things that occur in other cities and state of historical reference, but they don't envision those things occurring in our backyard, but they do — even next door. For example, public lynchings, denying the right to vote and other discrimination practices. The struggle goes on and on for Wisconsin's African American citizens.
Would you recommend MATC to students? Why?
MATC has always been an important educational institution to me. I registered there right after high school, and they accommodated my inconsistencies at the time and taught me how to become more serious about my studies. Over the years, I continued to attend MATC, taking refresher courses to strengthen my academic skills. Before enrolling in UW-Milwaukee's graduate program, I returned to MATC in 2015 for an entire year to prepare myself. That is an example of my dependence on MATC. MATC helped prepare me to attend graduate school.
Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum
Located on the corner of North 27th and West Center streets in Milwaukee, the museum features exhibits on Black workers, the Civil Rights Movement and genealogy. Learn more at wbhsm.org.