Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance

Description

ABOUT THE FILM:  This documentary captures a historical period in Madison Wisconsin’s history where Blacks are leading in so many important areas and are launching so many key initiatives that people are calling it a “Black renaissance.” What’s happening in Madison in 2022 is extraordinary because Blacks only make up 7% of Madison’s population. There are more Black elected officials on the city council and school board than ever in the city’s history. Two Blacks from Madison were elected to the WI state legislature in the last election. Madison’s Police Chief is Black, as is its Superintendent of schools. Its District Attorney is Black, as is its County Sheriff. Blacks head up major nonprofit agencies and are launching multi-million dollar building projects around the city.

This film introduces viewers to nearly 40 of Madison’s most prolific Black leaders and trailblazers in ten different genres as they define what is happening in Madison and what it means to the city’s future. The film has received wide praise throughout the city and many are saying it is a “must-see” for all Madisonians concerned about the future of their city. The film has won “Best Documentary” and to date has been selected for viewing in over a dozen national and international film festivals.

GENRES– Leaders in order of appearance in the film

• EDUCATION [Carlton Jenkins, Kaleem Caire, Gloria Ladson-Billings, and Jack Daniels]
• YOUTH SERVICES [Will Green and Michael Johnson]
• HUMAN SERVICES [Jacquelyn Hunt, Ruben Anthony, Vanessa McDowell, Sabrina Madison and Carmen Porco]
• HEALTHCARE [Lisa Peyton-Caire, Barbara Nichols, and Aaron Perry]
• BUSINESS [Camille Carter, Cora White and Bob Wynn]
• ARTISTS [Hanah Jon Taylor, Poet Fabu, Jerry Jordan, Rob Dz, Richard Scott, Leotha Stanley, Freida Tesfagiorgis, and Ed Holmes]
• CRIMINAL JUSTICE [Erica Nelson, Paul Higginbotham, Everett Mitchell, Shon Barnes, Greg Jones, and Brandi Grayson]
• POLITICS [Barbara McKinney, Jael Currie, Sheila Stubbs, Joe Parisi, Paul Soglin, and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway]
• BLACK CHURCH/COMMUNITY SERVICES [Marcus Allen, Corinda Rainey-Moore, and Alex Gee]
• MEDIA [Yvette Craig, Betty Banks, and Jonathan Gramling]

This film is important given the status of race relations in the U.S. Madison, WI is modeling what happens when a city involves its Black talent. The progress that Blacks are making in Madison offers a lesson to other municipalities around the country or anyone with an open mind and willingness to imagine what our country could become if Blacks were fully integrated into the economic and political mainstream in all of our cities. There are still real challenges in Madison, just like in other places-perhaps the difference is that Blacks for now, are at the table. 

• Running Time: 1:45:00 [1 hour & 45 minutes]

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  WATCH TRAILER HERE