We were lucky to catch up with KingDemetrius Pendleton recently and have shared our conversation below.

KingDemetrius, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My daughter, Brandy Ann Banks-Sutta, was tragically killed by a drunk driver in 2013. Fighting for justice on her behalf, my voice was often silenced until I began livestreaming and caught people’s attention on social media. Thus began my journalistic journey. I went to college for the first time 28 years after graduating high school. My passion to document social justice issues from a Black perspective led me to spend countless hours behind the lens and give a voice to those not always heard.

KingDemetrius, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As previously mentioned, I ultimately got into photography after my daughter was killed. I saw the power of social media and went to college to obtain a degree in photography as a means to bring awareness to the tragic results of drinking and distracted drivers. That later led to putting myself directly within Minnesota’s social justice movement, livestreaming protests, press conferences, family community events and doing interviews with boots-on-the-ground activists. I learned about environmental issues facing Native lands by big oil company’s pipelines, the need to raise health awareness in drives for diseases such as breast cancer, the importance of encouraging others to get out and vote, and the disparity of police brutality and killings mostly against Black and Brown individuals.

In Minnesota we have a staggering statistic that since the year 2000 there have been 500 individuals wrongly killed by law enforcement. Standing in solidarity with the families of stolen lives is one of my main focuses. I was the first journalist on scene after the killing of Jamar Clark, Philando Castile, Justine Damond, George Floyd, and Daunte Wright. I’ve been teargassed, threatened with arrest (even with my press credentials clearly displayed), hurdled by police at protests, and targeted by right-wing organizations that threatened by both myself and my children.

My goal is to document that which the mainstream media often ignores. A lot of what I photograph is gut-wrenching and traumatic, but I feel compelled to expose the truth and capture for history what many others do not. My intent is also to capture people in the moment, naturally. I am dedicated to uplifting the voices of those staunchly committed to fighting for racial, social and economic equality. Photojournalism is my way to participate.

It was an honor to serve as a pool reporter during the Derek Chauvin trial in the summer of 2021, an opportunity that was only bestowed upon a few independent journalists. I took the opportunity to write personal reflections each of the three days I was allowed in the courtroom. Journalistic writing was fairly new to me at the time, but my feelings poured out of me during that experience. That year I received recognition by the Hennepin County Library as a featured individual for Black History Month, InProgress showcased a collection of my photos in their up.RISING Exhibit, and I was presented a Facing Race Awards by the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, an Unsung Hero’s Award by the McKnight Foundation, and a Liberation Lens: Outstanding Movement Journalist Award by the Racial Justice Network. I truly appreciate having received recognition after eight years of non-stop hard work and dedication.

With the help of many in my community, I held my first photo exhibition and published my first book in May 2022. I now hope to make “The Movement Never Stops” a traveling expo, being able to tell the story firsthand of our fight for justice.

In June of 2022 I was the only photographer featured as part of the LynLake Art Series in Minneapolis. That yearly festival typically features street and performing artists. So it was an absolute honor to have 7 of my images included in the Series. In July of 2022 a gigantic banner of me standing with a solidarity fist was hung on the 9th Street side of the Jack Link’s Lounge in downtown Minneapolis as part of the “It’s the People” public art project by Hennepin Theatre Trust. It’s a blessing to have been given all this in such a short timeframe.

However, it’s also frustrating that people don’t realize that being independent means I usually don’t get paid to be out there. Recognition is wonderful but it doesn’t pay the bills. Mainstream media knows that people like me are exposing parts of a story they prefer to remain silent about, so they are not interested in buying my work. Look what happened when the ACLU filed a lawsuit following the arrests of several reporters covering the protests in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd. I, too, was out there as police used rubber bullets, pepper spray and tear gas against us journalists, despite clearly identifying ourselves as press. Yet no one contacted those of us who were here from beginning to end. They reached out to The Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, Fox News, CNN… Myself and other dedicated local, independent journalists were not included nor do we receive financial support unless we do fundraisers, apply for grants, sell a few photos here and there. Yet our coverage is more in-depth and unfiltered. Independent media is essential to give power to people to speak freely, completely and wholeheartedly.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Dedication and passion… the willingness to struggle…. by believing in the Cause! And when a door opens, realizing you better take a leap of faith and enter. I didn’t get into this work anticipating it would be a career. I went into it with a purpose to bring awareness to my daughter’s death and ultimately social justice in general. I found myself attending protests for the senseless deaths of young Black men and women in our community. When I heard a speaker say something powerful, I naturally shouted out “Listen.” The more impactful the statements were, the more emphatic “Lissstteeen” became. I was calling on those around me to pay attention, to gain knowledge, to stand in solidarity. And thus began Listen Media. The call caught on. Others started shouting it too. It hit me. This is it! This is what I’m called to do. When you feel it in your gut, go for it!

It didn’t take long for people to add me to their contact list when they organized rallies, sit-ins, fundraisers, press conferences… I showed up for everybody in the community who asked. I watched what people said on their Facebook feeds, I kept my eyes open on the road. When I saw helicopters in the sky, I raced to the area to see what was going down. I never listened to police scanners. I listened to people and went where they went. Pretty soon the community dubbed me “Black CNN.” Although they may have been alluding to the corporate giant, I consider it: Community Network News.

One of the most important aspects is being authentic. I am not a “polished” news anchor. There are photographers with more skill and better equipment than I. But I put in my all. I am always early. I’m often among the last to leave. And I am simply me… saying things the way I see it, giving a platform for others to speak, appreciating my community and giving back what I can. L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G to those around me and highlighting their words and actions. Pulling out my camera not only for the “big” stories but believing everyone’s experience is worth sharing.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

It’s all been the positive influence of people. Gordon Parks was my biggest inspiration; not so much regarding management style but with “philosophy,” Not only was he an incredible photographer, but he was a man of principle, true to his beliefs. He wrote without any duct tape on his mouth, if you will. What he wrote was facts, not fiction; without any apology. He knew the extent of the hypocrisy within news media, which expects a journalist to write what they want you to say. But he stood up for himself and said he’d only write if he was able to write what he saw. Thus he cemented his career with Time, Vogue and Ebony. Seeing him change the status quo did something to me. This historical moment gave me the courage to stay independent, even when I couldn’t financially afford to do so.

Jamal Shabazz, the amazing street photographer, is another artist that I admire and learn from. I had the pleasure of meeting him at an honorary event for Gordon Parks and still have the opportunity to check in with him from time to time.
One of my college professors, Paul Sinkler, could see I was struggling with self-doubt while learning my craft. But he wouldn’t let me give up and assured me I could achieve against all odds. His encouragement kept me going and I ended up graduating with Honors.

What a blessing it’s been to have been mentored from the beginning by John Arthur Anderson and master photographer Wing Young Huie. Both of these gentlemen continue to have my back. In May of 2022 during the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death, Wing Young Huie held a small exhibition of my work in his studio at George Floyd Square. Since then he has allowed Listen Media to use the space on weekends to give visitors to the Square a Pictorial Memorial, i.e., a mini tour using my photos to explain what’s happening within the Social Justice Movement here in Minnesota. I am currently trying to raise funds to rent my own space at the Square and use it as a tool to educate both residents and visitors. And I could share my space to showcase other artists, just as Wing did for me.

I also need to give a shout out to art dealer Joe Ellis. He has taught me the importance of making limited edition prints available to collectors or museums. This is a new endeavor in the early planning stage, but other dreams I never thought could come true have, like publishing my first book. So I’m going to keep up my enthusiasm and do all I can to make this a reality one day as well. Without a dream, you have no goals to set. So first dream big, and with hard work and dedication comes the reality, and then the rest is history! #SeeYouAtWork

Contact Info:

• Website: listenmedia.org
• Instagram: kingdemetriuspendleton
• Facebook: ListenMediaUSA and KingDemetrius Pendleton
• Twitter: @KingDemetriusP
• Other: Smug Mug: bit.ly/KDPSMUG

Image Credits
All image credits: KingDemetrius Pendleton except for the picture of me, taken by Phil Ward and used with permission