Levilyn Chriss began her studies at Kennedy King College where she received her Associate degree in Applied Science in Media Communications. Kennedy King allowed her to build a solid interest in video production, television production, and photography.

     Levilyn continued her education at Chicago State University where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Media Arts, and Theater. Levilyn pirsued higher education and received her Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Independent Film and Digital Imaging at Governors State University. Levilyn was a member of Reel Black Filmmakers oganizationand practiced her skills independently as a videographer and photographer.

     Levilyn joined CAAAP in 2016, and contributed to CAAAP via her phenomenal video and photography skills. She grew in her love for photography through her association with CAAAP. Levilyn's image of the Morgan Park Marching Band in the Bud Billiken Parade was chosen to be in the 2018 Solstice Exhibition at the South Side Community Art Center. Several of her images were featured in the 2018 and 2019 CAAAP Calendar. Levilyn enjoyed the camaraderie of her fellow CAAAP members; and through her association with CAAAP, she joined the Chicago Style Photographers-an elite group of African American Female Photographers who reside in Chicago. Levilyn volunteered her photography skills for the 2018 Chicago Women's March, and her images from the event were shared in several media and online publications world wide. Levilyn was in a select group of photographers chosen to photograph the 30th Annual African Festival of the Arts.

     What I remember and loved about her the most was her inquisitiveness, her desire to learn the craft, and her desire to become a better photographer. She was so proud to be a black woman in a field that is predominantly saturated with men. I read on one of her tributes that Levilyn was on a mission to change the world through the eyes of a camera lens. She accomplished that and changed the lives of everyone who knew her. I will miss her. CAAAP will definitely miss her the most.


These are some of the last images Levilyn Photographed for CAAAP. These images were taken at the 30th Annual African Festival of the Arts. ©2019 Copyright Levilyn Chriss.

Click on the first image to begin the slide show.