Kenyan-born, photojournalist, Polly Irungu has landed herself a lucrative job at the US White House. She excitedly shared on her social media that she is the first person to work as a photo editor for the office of the US Kamala Harris.
Her appointment to such a high office comes on her 2nd anniversary since she founded the Black Women’s Photographers community, during the pandemic period in 2020. She has managed to draw more than 1,000 female photographers into her community since then.
“New chapter. I’m excited to announce that I’m the first official Photo Editor for the Office of the Vice President to the Bidden-Harris Administration. Honored and grateful is an understatement.” She wrote in her announcement post.
Polly believes that her appointment by President Biden is a show of faith in her photography talent and passion. She began her movement after she saw how tough it was for black women photographers to get recognition and jobs.
Through her Black Women’s photographers community, she has been able to receive so many awards, honors and grants.
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She was born in Nairobi, Kenya where she lived with her parents for a few years before immigrating to the US. She has lived in various places in the US including; Topeka in Kansas, Eugene in Oregon, Washington D.C., Little Rock in Arkansas, and Brooklyn in New York. She currently lives in Washington D.C.
Polly is an alumnus of the University of Oregon where she graduated with a degree in Journalism. She worked with the New York Public Radio as a digital editor before becoming self-employed. She has also worked with Twitter, WeTransfer and the National Press Photographers Association.
Polly Irungu, the founder of Black Women Photographers.She had quite an impressive resume before her appointment to the office of Vice President.
She was once teamed with Nikon USA to award selected photographers approximately $50,000 in grants and cash prizes. Luckily, one of the participants of the program was Wanjiku Gitau, another Kenyan, who received $5000.
For black photographers, opportunities came during social uprisings oF Black History month.
“I didn’t see myself in this industry. I didn’t see other people who look like me being celebrated in the same way as their counterparts. And when it comes down to it, I’m a photographer all 12 months of the year, not just one. So why am I not being hired for other opportunities?” She says.
In 2020, her photography work was featured on the US Times Square billboards.
Polly joins fellow Kenyan White House staffer Joy Ngugi who serves in the Office of Digital Strategy in President Biden’s administration.
Ms. Ngugi, a visual storyteller, was born in Kenya before moving to the United States. She grew up in Southwest Michigan and worked on films in the US, Kenya, and Honduras.