[2][6] During his time in Naval boot camp at United States Naval Training Center Bainbridge, one event would help shape the course of his entire life; Alexander won his first camera, a Kodak "Brownie Hawkeye" in a friendly dice game.

[1] Once he finished boot camp, he was transferred to a naval base in Charleston, S.C. to begin training as a diesel engineman.

While in Charleston he asked the naval base photographer to look over some of his work, and he began teaching him about 35mm and large format photography.

"[8][10] In 1964 he moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey from Paterson where he lived following his discharge and launched his professional career as a freelance photographer.

It encompasses a variety of subjects from the human and civil rights movement, politics, music, art, and everyday individuals who were consistent in their pursuit of equality.

[4] The resilience and creativity of African American culture captivates the world whether it is through music, art or the written word.

Jazz music is just one example of the beauty birthed by African Americans in spite of the hatred and marginalization that was designed to break their spirits.

Alexander juxtaposed images of the ugly barriers created by hatred as well as the elegant strength of those who dare to shatter them.

He has spent years documenting jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie just to name a few.

[4] Moved to dedicate ten years of his life and work to documenting human rights and the Black experience; he shared this intention with Parks.

Fifty plus years have surpassed since having that conversation with the late Gordon Parks, and Alexander continues his documentary work.

As described by Alexander, "a participant observer acknowledges the undeniable influence of his mere presence, while pleading allegiance to the role of the spectator."

Alexander's images help call attention to gross violations of human rights in the United States over the course of many decades.

During his time at Clark Atlanta, Alexander established a mentoring program where he helped students who worked with the campus newspaper, yearbook, and various types of photography.

Implemented by Nexus Contemporary Art Center, the program encouraged creativity while it challenged students to learn and show self-respect, achieve goals, and gain a marketable skill.

[15] The love for education, reading, and black culture led Alexander to be a co-founder of First World Bookstores in Atlanta, GA during 1988.

The store specialized in predominately African American books, gifts, and art; which eventually expanded to five bookstores in the metropolitan area until 1994.

He is a founding member and past executive vice chairman of the National Black Media Coalition, and completed two terms as president of African Americans for the Arts, (AAFTA).