Jena Cumbo is an award-winning photographer and visual storyteller based in Brooklyn, New York. She has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. Her work has been exhibited in galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Cumbo's photography focuses on social issues and marginalized communities. She has documented the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, the struggles of undocumented immigrants in the United States, and the effects of climate change on small island nations. Her work has been used to advocate for social justice and to raise awareness about global issues.
Cumbo is a graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and holds a Master's degree in Visual Arts from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She is also a member of Magnum Photos, an international photographic cooperative founded by some of the world's most renowned photographers.
In addition to her photography career, Cumbo is an active member of her community. She volunteers with organizations such as Girls Who Code and Girls Write Now, which provide mentorship and support for young women interested in technology and writing respectively. She also serves on the board of directors for Global Citizen Year, an organization that provides gap year opportunities for high school graduates to gain international experience while making a positive impact on their host communities.
Cumbo's passion for photography and social justice have earned her numerous awards including a Pulitzer Center Grantee Award (2018), a Magnum Foundation Grant (2017), and a National Geographic Explorer Grant (2016). Her work continues to inspire others to use their art as a tool for positive change.