Don Thompson is a photographer, author, and community activist with over 50 years of experience. His career began as a writer and photographer in the U.S. Army, and his work now spans photojournalism, painting, history, and education. A 2022 recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists Photojournalism Award, he holds degrees from Northeastern State University and Phillips Theological Seminary.
Thompson’s photographs are held in major collections, including the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Historic Mount Zion Baptist Church. His permanent exhibition Black Settlers: In Search of the Promised Land is on view at Oklahoma State University–Tulsa. He has exhibited widely, with recent projects at the Zarrow Center, Gilcrease Museum, and Philbrook Museum, as well as inclusion in Dreamland by SpringHill Entertainment, National Geographic Live/Disney, and other publications.
Beyond exhibitions, Thompson regularly collaborates on educational and community initiatives, such as Built from the Fire with author Victor Luckerson and the Gilcrease Educational Project with Crossover Preparatory School. He is also the author of And My Spirit Said, Yes! (2013) and Hush Somebody’s Callin’ My Name (2009).