Being Black in America: Discussion & Collective Action

What is it to YOU to be Black in America? This is a question we posed to seven Black Americans in our award-winning documentary, Being Black in America.
Filmed in 2024, Being Black in America shows an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? It’s a question that’s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.
This is not your ordinary screening. This is a bridge-building, thought-provoking, and an organizing event using film as a catalyst for change. Immediately following our screening, we'll hear from storytellers featured in the film, followed by a Q&A as well as community-engaged entrepreneurs, community leaders, and educators to participate as a collective in an action item of our choosing.
This event is free and open to the public. Be sure to arrive early at 1:30pm to participate in a one-question survey that will be a part of our discussion after the film. Our main area of focus of discussion will be on The Preservation of Our History and Knowing Our Roots: Part 2 (Preserving Black Culture and Building Community).
Join us for our screening of Being Black in American and in these important discussions.

Info: Arrive early to connect with community partners tabling the event. Learn about local organizations, grab resources, answer our Collective Action question, and settle in.

Info: Watch Being Black in America, a powerful short film documenting a conversation within a diverse group of Black Americans answering the question, What is it to you to be Black in America?

Info: Sit with the film a bit, stretch, grab a snack, run to restroom, and visit our partner tables.

Info: Hear directly from storytellers featured in the film as they share reflections, discuss preserving Black culture and building community, and respond to audience questions.

Info: We’ll review everyone's answers to our Collective Action question and identify and participate in one concrete action for Black liberation. Lastly, we'll give folks a chance to revisit our partner tables and sign up to get more involved with what they do for our community.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

215 Tremont St suite 237, 215 Tremont Street, Rochester, United States