PHOTOS: 'Her Word as Witness' Opening Reception

Last night at the Skylight Gallery in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn-based photographer Laylah Amatullah Barrayn debuted "Her Word as Witness: Women Writers of the African Diaspora," an exhibit that features 35 photographic portraits of some of today's most compelling writers, along with excerpts from their works.

Those featured include award-winning Haitian novelist and essayist Edwidge Danticat who the New York Times credits with increasing America's understanding of the Haitian immigrant; President Barack Obama's inaugural poet, Elizabeth Alexander; soul-stirring, singer-songwriter-bassist and Grammy award recipient, Esperanza Spalding and 32 other equally noteworthy literary and performance giants.

The exhibit promotes a personal and community dialogue about the artists, race, sexism, literature, love and other issues.

Other writers profiled include Malaika Adero, Tomika Anderson, asha bandele, Kristal Brent Zook, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Raquel Cepeda, Kandia Crazy Horse, Tananarive Due, Coc Fusco, Carolina Gonzalez, Karen Good Marable, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Tayari Jones, Juleyka Lantigua-Williams, Demetria L. Lucas, Dominga Martin, Kierna Mayo, Bernice L. McFadden, Nekesa Moody, jessica Care moore, Joan Morgan, Jill Nelson, Liza Jessie Peterson, Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts, Sonia Sanchez, Danyel Smith, Akiba Solomon, Mecca Jamillah Sullivan, Susan L. Taylor, Terrie Williams, Ibi Aanu Zoboi and Nana Camille Yarbrough.

"Her Word as Witness" will be on display at the gallery through March 31, 2012.