CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - This Friday on QC@3, viewers are in for a creative treat as we sit down with acclaimed photographer and image activist Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr., whose latest exhibit is opening the same day at the Harvey B. Gantt Center.
Titled “Black Behind Bars: The Untold Story of Black Bike Culture,” the powerful new collection is a striking visual exploration of Black biker communities and how they shape identity, mental health, and connection. The exhibit opens Friday, April 25 and will be on display through September 21 at the Gantt Center in Uptown Charlotte.
Rooted in personal history—his father’s motorcycle clubhouse played a key role in his upbringing—Alvin’s lens captures the deep bonds and unspoken stories within this often misunderstood subculture.
“This isn’t just about bikes,” Alvin shared. “It’s about brotherhood, history, healing, and home.”
A Career Defined by Purpose
Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr. is far more than a photographer—he’s an image activist, using his camera as a tool for truth and transformation. His career has taken him across the country, documenting pivotal moments in the modern civil rights movement, from Ferguson and Minneapolis to Charlottesville, New York, and Charlotte.
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His signature black and white aesthetic has become instantly recognizable, capturing raw emotion and humanity in every frame.
In 2018, Alvin gained national recognition for his award-winning “Welcome to Brookhill” exhibit, a moving portrait of Charlotte’s historic Black neighborhood. The project was developed during his tenure as artist-in-residence at the Harvey B. Gantt Center, and earned him a spot on Charlotte Magazine’s “Charlotteans of the Year” list and Creative Loafing’s “Best Photographer of 2018.”
From Charlotte to the World
“Black Behind Bars” is more than a local exhibition—it’s the beginning of a two-year national tour, with stops planned in several cities, including a deeply personal one: his hometown of Rockford, Illinois.
The show provides a rare and reverent look into the pride, pain, and power of the Black biker experience. Through powerful imagery and storytelling, Alvin challenges stereotypes and highlights the strength of these communities in shaping Black identity.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the latest from one of Charlotte’s most dynamic creatives. Catch Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr. this Friday on QC@3, and head to the Gantt Center to see Black Behind Bars—a ride through culture, history, and resilience like no other.
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Exhibit Dates:📅 April 25 – September 21, 2025📍 Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Admission information and exhibit details available at ganttcenter.org
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