Street Portraits by Dawoud Bey is a powerful collection of black-and-white photographs taken between 1988 and 1991 in cities like Brooklyn, Harlem, and Washington, D.C. The book captures intimate, dignified portraits of everyday Black Americans in urban neighborhoods, emphasizing presence, self-possession, and mutual respect.

Bey's approach blends documentary and formal portraiture, inviting his subjects to engage directly with the camera. Each image reflects a quiet strength and individuality, challenging stereotypical representations and offering a deeply humanizing view of Black life.

The book is both a visual archive and a social statement—celebrating the beauty, complexity, and resilience of its subjects.