He published Modern Negro Art in 1943, the first comprehensive study in the United States of African-American art. Porter decisively placed African-American artists within the framework of American art. He was the first to recognize and document the significant contributions these artists made to the history of American art.
In 1943, Porter released Modern Negro Art, a comprehensive analysis of African-American art in the US. He established African-American artists as integral to the American art landscape. He was the pioneer who recognized and documented their significant impact on American art's history.