I  am so blessed to have Toni Cade Bambara (1939 - 1995) as my mentor and friend. Her voice is the voice of reason that I keep going back to in these changing times. Here is a passage that is relevant today. I hope it brings you clarity.

LANGUAGE & THE WRITER, page 139 to 140

"I want to talk about language, form, and changing the world. The question that faces billions of people at this moment, one decade shy of the twenty-first century, is: Can the planet be rescued from the psychopaths? The persistent concern of engaged artists, of cultural workers, in this country and certainly within my community, is, What role can, should, or must the film practitioner, for example, play in producing a desirable vision of the future? And the challenge that the cultural worker faces, myself for example, as a writer and as a media activist, is that the tools of my trade are colonized. The creative imagination has been colonized. The global screen has been colonized. And the audience-- readers and viewers-- is in bondage to an industry. It has the money, the will, the muscle, and the propaganda machine oiled up to keep us all locked up in a delusional system-- as to what America is".

And after dropping intense wisdom like this, Toni Cade would look me in the eye and ask:
And -- What is your plan?

My plan is to make a film that provides a Blueprint for how African Americans and our allies should move in times of great turmoil. To create a work of art that reminds us of how Black Americans envisioned a bright and joyous future for ALL of us. RECLAIMING THE LIGHT is more than a title, it is my mantra in these times as I struggle to reclaim my peace, my heritage, and my vision and break free of the bounds of cinematic and artistic convention.

Members of the Latimer producer team belong to ASALH (Association for the Study of African-American Life & History). We are community historians who share stories about Black Life, Black Perspectives, and Black History. The history of our people started before 1619, and our story will continue into the future and beyond the orbit of our planet Earth. Learning from our past will help us to survive the present and to thrive in the future. The organization is a repository of scholarly work, via quarterly magazines, and a cross generational community.

It's exciting to be a member of an organization that was established in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson! What are we building today that will be helpful to people in 2125? 

As we wind up the campaign on January 31st, I want to share with you a few books that I am reading during the journey to make our film. Rae Shaw's new book THE SHORT: WRITING TOOLS TO FREE THE IMAGINATION is a powerful book with advice for every stage of the production process for writers, directors and producers. Since we as independent filmmakers are often writer/directors or writer/producers, Rae'a advice on the creative process is timely. Whether it is understanding the process of writing the 8, 9, or 10 drafts of your script, or understanding the difference between a teaser trailer and a proof of concept film, you will find this a welcome companion on your filmmaking journey.

 

In 2019 when I first got the idea to start the screenplay, the original title was BLACK POWER. I wanted to play on words to tie the liberation movement  of Black Americans of the 1960's with the scientific innovation of African Americans in the 1880's.  Below is a page from the first pitch deck from 2019.

Images and stories have power. Two icons, Nichelle Nichols (who played Lt. Uhura in STAR TREK and was a real life NASA recruiter) and Lewis Latimer, had a tremendous impact on me as a little girl and as an independent filmmaker. They were both fearless, inquisitive, and kind.

I love observing how light interacts with my surroundings. I am obsessed with this. A film is made with light, shadow, joy, heartbreak and passion. And that is what the audience will sense when they watch our film about this "hidden" inventor/designer. Latimer created lights that weren't just functional, but also beautiful. Think of the impact that a "beautiful" invention can have on the world when used in an ethical way, a generous way.

Latimer made the gift of light, with joy and discovery, accessible to everyone.

Hello Film Friends, Happy New Year 2025!
I will be joining the Association of the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) at the screening of the phenomenal documentary BLACK BALLERINA on Saturday February 1st, 2025 from 2pm to 4pm at Greene Street Friends School (GYM) 20 W. Armat Street Philadelphia, PA 19144.

Registration is FREE for this in-person screening. Please sign up on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/screening-of-black-ballerina-by-phila-montco-branch-of-asalh-tickets-1147462694809

This is an amazing film directed and produced by Frances McElroy tells the story of several black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet. Six decades ago, while pursuing their dreams, Joan Myers Brown, Delores Browne and Raven Wilkinson confronted racism, exclusion and unequal opportunity. Today, young dancers of color continue to face formidable challenges breaking into the overwhelmingly white world of ballet. Moving back and forth in time, this lyrical, character driven film shows how far we still have to go and stimulates a fresh discussion about race, inclusion and opportunity across all sectors of American society.

I worked on the film as Outreach Producer. My job was to assist the filmmaker in connecting with audiences for the film and to reach as many people as possible via public television, and community engagement. 

Mike Dennis of REELBLACK asked me a few questions about our film "RECLAIMING THE LIGHT: The Life & Times of Lewis Latimer. Enjoy!