Imani Camara, a 29-year-old photographer and community organizer, curated “Onyx: A Black Artist Exhibition” opening June 19 at Brokers Gallery in San Diego. The show features 22 local Black artists and runs through Aug. 2. Camara, who moved to San Diego in late 2024, began working at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego as an event sales associate in 2025, where she contributed to programming around Black art and culture. She also founded Black Women SD in 2025 to connect Black women through social and cultural gatherings. The exhibition’s title references the black stone onyx, symbolizing grounding and layered identities.
The exhibition matters because it intentionally centers Black artists and culture in San Diego, a city with a growing but often fragmented creative community. By opening on Juneteenth, the show adds an arts and culture dimension to local celebrations, offering a meaningful way to honor Black heritage. Camara’s work highlights the need for spaces where Black creatives can gather, support each other, and showcase their multifaceted identities—many artists in the show also work as DJs, curators, or hold day jobs. The exhibition underscores the importance of community-driven curation in making the arts more accessible and representative.