Watch Now
During the 2020 pandemic, I was approached by a friend of my father’s to work on a passion project that had been fourteen years in the making. Upon looking into the script, I realized just how large of a project this would be. I took the opportunity to pursue my first ever full-length documentary film.
It is with great pride to present the stories of several Indiana pioneers and highlight the accomplishments of the first African American students to attend Evansville University in “Our Story - Once the Doors Opened”.
What is Our Story?
"Our Story" chronicles the first Black students admitted to the University of Evansville from 1934-1949 after Black students were forbidden to attend the college for 80 years. Prior to the year 1934, the University of Evansville (UE) along with many other colleges in the United States, did not admit black students. This was due to the racist, discriminatory laws and policies in effect during those years in the United States.
This documentary profiles the stories of the first black students at UE from 1934 -1949. It also covers some of the “firsts” for black student organizations from 1934 forward at UE. Produced by a 1980 graduate of UE, in collaboration with narration by a future 2024 black graduate at UE, this documentary begins the sharing of the stories, experiences, and recollections of black students at UE, once the doors opened.
Awards
I am humbled and honored to have my film garner the attention of the IndieFEST Film Awards where it went on to win an Award of Recognition. Later in 2021, the documentary was presented at the Heartland International Film Festival.
