OUR BEGINNING
During my activities in the Photographic Federation of Long Island (PFLI), I realized how few people
of color participated in their photography events. I was aware that in northern Queens there are two
camera clubs (Flushing Camera Club (FCC), Fresh Meadows Camera Club (FMCC)) and each with a
few people of color. I was also aware that residents of Southeast Queens have: hobbies, surplus
funds, cameras and take vacations! How do I get more people of color into photography?
I contacted Ron Caldwell, Hughe Williams (FCC) and Jim Grant (Freeport Camera Club) and I
discussed the possible creation of a camera club in Southeast Queens. All agreed! We planned our
strategy, advertised our meeting, and placed an article in the Queens Chronicle for our Open House
on January 31, 2005 at Roy Wilkins Park. As we waited for the attendees, Jim asked: where are the
people? I responded with a line from the “Field of Dreams…If you build it, they will come!” To our
amazement and joy, forty residents arrived! We discussed the role and value of a camera club in
Southeast Queens and the vote was unanimous to organize the Southeast Queens Camera Club
(SEQCC)!
The next SEQCC meeting was held on February 8, 2005 and the Officers and Chairs were elected:
President: Hughe Williams
Vice President: Verdell Lawton
Treasurer: Judson Dinkins
Secretary/Newsletter Editor: Sylvia “Cookie” Hodge
PFLI Delegate/Membership Chair: Audley Smith
Webmaster: Ron Caldwell
Publicity Chair: George Spence
Hospitality Chair: Nat Howard
Advisors: Ron Caldwell, Dorothy Gist, Jim Grant
We used the FCC and Freeport Camera Club as we shaped the SEQCC organization and worked
long and endlessly for our successful creation. Some of our initial accomplishments were:
Tuesday meetings: Board 1 st ; General 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th and occasional 5 th from September to June.
Provided free 6 week intensive photography course during the summer for the community.
Applied/obtained tax exempt status for the 501-c3 status
Developed the By-Laws
Established dues at $30.00 for adults, $20.00 for students; created a bank account.
Developed the Website
Advertised widely in the community – all channels – to recruit new members; strong/consistent
membership: at times 70-80 members
Scheduled annual Dinner and Picnic; occasional Auction
Immediately started field trips, including a Florida trip with 16 participants in 2007
John Ruffins created the SEQCC new Logo – 2005
February 2005 created the “Keeping in Touch” 2-page Newsletter. Sylvia “Cookie” Hodge
assumed the Newsletter, provided an improved version in November 2005 as “Our New Look.”
Ron Caldwell suggested our slogan: “Bringing the Photographic Arts to Our Community.”
Brian Augustine suggested creation of monthly “Let’s Talk About It” by members. New columns
included: President’s Message, Board & PFLI info.
During Black History Month – recognized Black photographers, this has expanded
Developed the Mentors Program to assist new members
Training sessions in digital enhancements; Eli Riveria conducted judges’ training. Created 2
training sessions for “A” and “B” photographers.
Conducted Surveys to collect feedback from members to strengthen the Club
Several members joined with photography experience and greatly assisted in moving the Club
forward. Paul Robinson and Michael Phillips (professionals) introduced portrait photography
Life Memberships were granted to: Judson Dinkins, Sylvia “Cookie” Hodge, Neville Phillips and
the Founders: Ron Caldwell, Dorothy Gist, Jim Grant (2006), Hughe Williams.
Judson Dinkins (2005-2014) provided finances for the first storage cabinet, purchased our first
laptop, and purchased copies of “The Keys to Great Photographs” for new photographers.
Judson’s transitioned in 2020 and his Memorial funds enabled the SEQCC in 2021 to create a
program to teach photography to Middle School students in the After School Program, Roy
Wilkins Park.
Immediately joined the Photographic Federation of Long Island, participated in Photorama,
Spring Spectacular, classes, etc. I was President: 2006-2011.
Community Participation: Rochdale Village’s Annual Fall Festival; March For Leukemia Walk
–A-Thon in Woodhaven Park; Annual Collectible Car Show. 2013: assisted SQPA with Habitat
for Humanity in documenting President Jimmy Carter’s 30 Anniversary with Habitat during
Leonard Nangle’s SEQCC Presidency.Met with Rudy Simpson, Jazz Unlimited Orchestra, St.
Peter’s Lutheran Church, Springfield Gardens. During Neville Phillips’ Presidency he visited
the Excelsior Preparatory High School’s Student Career Day with Tuskegee Airman the late
Julius Freeman. Joined Flushing Camera Club to visit NYC rooftops through Open House NY;
joined Fresh Meadows Camera Club for their Critique of Images. Exhibited in the Family Life
Center, St. Albans Congregational Church;
2007 started exhibiting at Annual February Global Village, St. Albans Congregational Church,
and continued participation over the years
2023 Brian Augustine suggested we apply for a grant to enable creative endeavors; Grant
Committee was named in 2024.
Former members celebrated the 91 st birthday at Neville Phillips’ home in February 2020, with
surprise attendance of Dorothy Goosby, Senior Council Woman, Hempstead. Michael Phillips
was her photographer.
The members were committed to the SEQCC and many stepped up to finance and support the
endeavors. This camaraderie was fantastic and the “bond” continues today
We created the SEQCC and gave endlessly of our skills and finances to enable a strong Southeast
Queens Camera Club in the community. As Founders, we never wavered in our desire to bring this
Art to our community …and our love, pride and joy continues! We are grateful for all who joined us
and supported this creative endeavor. We also look forward to new endeavors as we move the
SEQCC forward.
Let’s Celebrate the Southeast Queens Camera Club Today …and What Is Yet To Come!
Ron Caldwell*, Dorothy Gist, Jim Grant*, Hughe Williams
*deceased
Note: It was 19 years ago when the SEQCC was created …and from which this document is
prepared. With the transition of Jim and Ron, they took many memories with them. Hughe is primarily
focusing on the National Election in November and will update his bio afterwards. Therefore, I
primarily reflected on my memory and some SEQCC documents to prepare this document. As
corrections and additional information become available, this document will be updated. In the
meantime this will provide an overview of our SEQCC creation.
Written by Dorothy Gist, September 2024
**
SOUTHEAST QUEENS CAMERA CLUB (SEQCC)
VISION, GOALS, PURPOSE – 2005
Vision – 2005
The SEQCC provides an arena to introduce photography to persons in the community. It enables
photographers at all skill levels to broaden their photographic knowledge through programs, field
trips, competitions, exhibits, and interaction. The Club also provides knowledge on the computer
enhancement of images. The SEQCC broadens its photographic knowledge through memberships in
the Photographic Federation of Long Island (PFLI) and the Photographic Society of America (PSA)
through their many educational programs.
Goals And Aspirations – 2005
Welcome to the Southeast Queens Camera Club. We would like to help you develop your
photographic skills by:
Providing an atmosphere of communication with photographers at all levels
Exposing you to photographic classes, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions
Encouraging you also to participate in field trips, sponsored by our Club and other organizations.
Field trips allow you the opportunity to put your newly acquired photography information into practice.
Purpose – 2005
To provide a friendly arena for photographers to meet and discuss cutting edge photography issues.
To conduct workshops and lectures to strengthen photographers’ knowledge of cameras (film and
digital), lenses, filters
To share knowledge on the computer enhancements of images
To provide constructive critique of images
To participate in competitions in the Club; to participate in monthly competitions of the Photographic
Federation of Long Island (20 camera clubs: Nassau, Suffolk and the 5 Boroughs of New York City)
To provide programs that will appeal to youth and young adults, insuring the future growth of the
Southeast Queens Camera Club
**
SOUTHEAST QUEENS CAMERA CLUB (SEQCC)
SEQCC’s RELATIONSHIP TO SOUTHEAST QUEENS PARK ASSOCIATION (SQPA)
SQPA is interchangeable with Roy Wilkins Park
Written by Dorothy Gist, September 2024
In 2005 with the creation of the SEQCC we developed a cordial working relationship with Mr. William
Nelson, President, SQPA through:
Our barter relationship with SQPA that requires the SEQCC to provide photography for select
SQPA events
Assistance with the Annual Art Exhibit Committee and for years some SEQCC members
served as leaders
Assisting SQPA with Habitat for Humanity in 2013 in documenting President Jimmy Carter’s
30 th Anniversary with Habitat during Leonard Nangle’s SEQCC Presidency
Providing a meeting space and a mail box at Roy Wilkins Park
Installing our big wall projection pull-down screen in April 2006
Funds from our SEQCC members provided the purchase of fifty red chairs for SEQCC’s use
and were also available to SQPA
In 2021 SEQCC started teaching photography classes to Middle School students in the After
School Program, Roy Wilkins Park
**
SOUTHEAST QUEENS CAMERA CLUB (SEQCC)
MARCH 2005: ORIGINAL MEMBERSHIP LIST OF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS * deceased
Membership List includes: Name, Birthday, Address, Phone, Email, Camera, Skills
Members:
Ed Alleyne
Grace Alleyne
Jay Black
Marguerite Bhola
George Bradley
Ron Caldwell*
Edgar Campbell
Judson Dinkins*
Dorothy Gist
Jim Grant*
Sylvia “Cookie” Hodge
Doris Houston
Joyce Julian
Verdell Lawton
Walter Long
Uris McKay*
Jacqueline Mims*
William E. Mims*
Cecelia Robinson
Richard Romain
John Ruffins*
Thomas Sawyer
Audley Smith
George Spence
Keith Taylor
Jorge Wharton
Hughe Williams
Friends:
Shomari Akil
Judith Brown
Ida Cain
Mary Ellen Calamese
Bob Green*
Ann Grodman*
Zubaidah Guy
James Harwood
Miriam Lyles
Lester Muse
Maithland Smith
Nat Valentine
Ross Woodson
**
SOUTHEAST QUEENS CAMERA CLUB (SEQCC)
SEQCC PRESIDENTS
2005 – 2006 – Huge Williams
2006 – 2007 – Ron Caldwell
2007 – 2008 – Sylvia “Cookie” Hodge
2008 – 2010 – Neville Phillips
2010 – 2011 – Audley Smith
2011 – 2013 – Lawrence Gallmon
2013 – 2015 – Leonard Nangle
2015 – 2019 – Ron Moore
2020 –2023 – Brenda Gates
2023 – – Lawrence Gallmon
Compiled by Dorothy Gist, Sylvia “Cookie” Hodge, September 2024
**
SOUTHEAST QUEENS CAMERA CLUB (SEQCC)
