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 community film 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. ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Be sure to arrive early at 2:30pm 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 Black Capitalism--how we uplift Black businesses while reimagining economic systems beyond capitalism.
Join us for our screening of Being Black in America and in these important discussions on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's (observed) birthday!

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 how we uplift Black businesses while reimagining economic systems beyond capitalism, 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

Legacy Drama House, 112 Webster Avenue, Rochester, United States

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