Henry L. Hooks

(December 23, 1921-November 26, 2021) American photojournalist born in Shreveport, LA-named "Godfather of Photography" in the Inland Empire (IE). He was the first African-American photographer in the IE to have his photographs published in The Sun Telegram, and is attributed with having the first photos of African-Americans published in the San Bernardino Sun. Hooks won his first camera in a Joy Toothpaste promotion he learned of at a Shreveport, LA drugstore where he then worked. After a then Shreveport Sun editor asked to view his film roll, developed it, and gave him a byline, Hooks was "hooked" on photography and forever wanting the next byline. A friend and photographer to photojournalist Gordon Parks and the late Congressman George Brown Jr. (CA), Hooks captured historically famous photos of Colin Powell, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Robinson, the Supremes, and more. Hooks also was selected to cover all Republican National Committee (RNC) events in the San Bernardino area.

He served as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club, and funded the property purchase at 8th and L Streets in San Bernardino and eventual erection of the Prince Hall Lodge #17 where he served as Worshipful Master.

Hooks was an sergeant in the U.S. Military Air Force during WWII, during which time he worked as a Projectionist, and as a Staff Presenter/Lecturer. Thereafter, he worked for Norton Air Force Base (San Bernardino Army Airfield) as a Quality Control Supervisor, and eventually for the Department of Defense as an AirCraft Mechanic, Crew Chief, AirCraft Inspector, and for NASA as inspector for Missile Systems in missile-testing U.S. moon-reach endeavors. After his 1979 retirement from the military, Hooks was placed in charge of the Republican Unit in San Bernardino, during the Reagan era, and is attributed with securing the necessary votes for election of governor and eventual President Reagan. In addition, Hooks was an entrepreneur and real estate business person who majored in Business Administration at San Bernardino Valley College.

An honorable disabled veteran and founding member of American Legion Post #710, Hooks' niece-Global Equality Advocate and Activist Greshun De Bouse founded Disabled Veteran's Day (June 30). Hooks' award-winning work as staff photojournalist for the Precinct Reporter remains an inspiration to all, and he was honored for Black History Month (2016) in the San Bernardino County Museum-"Community Chronicles: Henry L. Hooks Collection". Hooks was married to the love of his life-Opal Hooks-for 77 years before transitioning from this earth just under a month shy of his 100th birthday.