The screening will be held at 7 p.m., in FAMU’s Lee Hall
Auditorium and will be
followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the creative team,
University leaders, prominent alumni, and other invited guests to talk about
the important issues explored in the documentary.
As a leading HBCU, FAMU’s students, faculty, and leaders
play a prominent role in the film, showcasing the valuable impact of the
University.
“Florida A&M University has had a tremendous impact on our community. It has provided opportunity and access for many to fulfill their dreams of an education,” said Kim Kelling, Director of Content and Community Partnerships. “There are FAMU graduates in many leadership positions throughout the area and nation. It is our hope here at WFSU Public Media that this film, ‘Tell Them We Are Rising,’ will help inform our audiences of the value of historically Black colleges and universities. It is so critical to understand the history and legacies of these schools including FAMU.”
The 90-minute film will air nationally on the acclaimed PBS series, “Independent Lens” on Monday, February 19, 2018, from 9 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. EST (check local listings). The film will also be available for online viewing on PBS.org beginning February 20, 2018.
FAMU President Larry Robinson commended Nelson,
Firelight Media, PBS, WFSU, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for
recognizing and honoring FAMU’s impact and the contributions of all HBCUs by
producing and showing the film to local, regional and national audiences.
“FAMU, and our sister HBCUs, have a rich and dynamic legacy.
FAMU alone has provided life-changing educational experiences for more than
75,000 alumni that have gone on to become leaders and innovators who have
strengthened our society and affected positive change in places near and far,”
said Robinson. “We look forward to sharing our story with the world as we
celebrate the life and legacy of HBCU graduate, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr., this January and pay homage to African Americans in February in honor of
Black History Month.”
The screening and tour are a major part of “HBCU Rising,”
the yearlong, multi-platform engagement project designed to drive dialogue sparked
by the film among a variety of audiences.
Written, directed and produced by Nelson (“The Black
Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”) and produced by Firelight Films, “Tell
Them We Are Rising” reveals for the first time the complex history of how HBCUs
– havens for Black intellectuals, artists and trailblazers – offered a path of
promise toward the American dream, educated the architects of freedom movements
throughout the decades, and cultivated leaders in every field.
The film also examines the impact HBCUs have had on American
history, culture and national identity for more than 150 years.
“We felt it was very important to showcase the film to
students on HBCU campuses because this is a vital part of our African-American
and American history,” said Nelson. “Many students and even
alumni are not aware of the deep history of how and why HBCUs were created and
the foundation for success they provided for African Americans. We appreciate
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s support and the partnership on the
ground with local public television and radio stations to make this tour
possible.”