Kenny Irby is the Visual Journalism Group Leader/Diversity Director at The Poynter Institute. He is an integral figure in visual journalism education, known for his insightful knowledge of photographic storytelling, innovative management ideas, and steadfast ethical thinking. The founder of Poynter's photojournalism program, he teaches in seminars and consults in areas of photojournalism, leadership, ethics, and diversity.
Irby has traveled to Russia, South Africa, Singapore, Jamaica and Denmark preaching excellence in photojournalism. He has presented on the 2003 Flying Short Course, served as photo manager at two Olympic Games, chaired the Unity '99 Visual Task Force and is Poynter's representative to the Best of Photojournalism Committee. He’s served as a speaker and faculty member at The Eddie Adams Workshop.
He contributed as a photo editor to three Pulitzer Prize-winning projects while at Newsday; has been a juror for the American Society of Newspaper Editor's Community Service Photojournalism Award, the National Journalism Awards, the Society for News Design Annual Competition, the Pictures of the Year International Competition, and the White House News Photographers' Competition. He’s a recipient of numerous NPPA awards including the 1999 Joseph Costa Award for outstanding initiative, leadership, and service in photojournalism, and the 2002 Presidents Award.
As a leader and facilitator in the visual journalism arena, Irby is a frequent lecturer and author on photographic reporting issues.
Before joining Poynter, Irby was a photographer and deputy director of photography, for Newsday, Inc.; and a photographer and assistant photo editor, at The Oakland Press. He holds a B.S., in photojournalism, from Boston University; and is a Multicultural Management Fellow, at the University of Missouri.