Every portrait tells a story. On January 26, 2025, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery brought Tuskegee History Center President Fred Gray’s story to the forefront with a full-room conversation between the legendary attorney and artist Michael Shane Neal, reminding audiences how art can illuminate the struggles and triumphs of history.

The program, “In Conversation with Fred Gray and Michael Shane Neal,” was moderated by Sheryll Cashin, the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law, Civil Rights and Social Justice at Georgetown University Law Center. Attendees heard Gray reflect on his decades-long fight for justice and Neal share insights into the creative process of capturing such an iconic figure. The room was filled to capacity, with notables such as Alabama Congressman Shomari C. Figures among those present.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Portrait Gallery hosted A Day of Action honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to community action. The program empowered visitors to see art as activism, featuring social justice organizations, changemakers, and exhibitions spotlighting activists whose legacies continue to inspire.

Before the evening’s conversation, a Smithsonian curator also led a customized tour coordinated by the Tuskegee History Center, highlighting portraits and sculptures of Alabamians who shaped the course of American history.

Fred Gray’s portrait now hangs on the first floor of the National Portrait Gallery, inviting visitors from across the world to reflect on his legacy and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality.

Photos by Matailong Du | www.matailongdu.com