Available:
OCT 3 @ 10A MT - OCT 11 @ 11:45P MT
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One of the things we talk about is windows and mirrors.
A Black child in a typical school in America, they get windows...from the literature that's put in front of them, from their teacher, from all the messages, they get windows to other people's world, like this other world where people are better than you. Not a shared humanity, but a separate level of humanity. White children typically get the mirror...who's in front of them, the literature that they read, the posters on the wall. Everything reinforces their whiteness and their superiority." - Sharif El-Mekki.
A film for this historical moment, BLACK BOYS exposes the dehumanization of Black boys and men in America at the intersection of sports, education and criminal justice in a nation still struggling to rectify its past. The story is anchored by Greg Scruggs, a 2X Super Bowl champion and young father who recently returned to his hometown of Cincinnati to impress upon young Black athletes the importance of education first. Supporting storylines follow Sharif El-Mekki, a principal at a nearly all Black charter school in West Philadelphia, and Malcolm London, a young poet activist fighting for criminal justice reform in Chicago. Other notable voices in the film include Malcolm Jenkins, Carmelo Anthony, Jemele Hill, Dr. Harry Edwards, former Secretary of Education John King, and more. Ultimately, the film serves as a rare glimpse into the emotional landscape of Black boys and men, illuminating their full humanity, vulnerability and resilience.
Speakers
Keme Nzerem
For the past two decades, Keme Nzerem has reported around the globe (Washington - Moscow - Johannesburg - Rio - London) for British network TV on issues from corruption, politics, and human rights - to sport. His focus is always on people, and how global events impact the lives of ordinary folk.
When Keme’s not filming news stories, he is typically cycling or backcountry skiing, whether it’s in the Himalaya or Scotland. Keme returns to OT2020 to moderate our show “Windows and Mirrors.”
Sonia Lowman
Sonia Lowman is a filmmaker, fighting for social justice through film and storytelling. Her recent Directorial project, Black Boys, is at the center of our show “Windows and Mirrors.” Sonia will join moderator Keme Nzerem, as well as Sharif El-Mekki for a Q&A within the show.
Film
Black Boys
A film for this historical moment, BLACK BOYS exposes the dehumanization of Black boys and men in America at the intersection of sports, education and criminal justice in a nation still struggling to rectify its past. The story is anchored by Greg Scruggs, a 2X Super Bowl champion and young father who recently returned to his hometown of Cincinnati to impress upon young Black athletes the importance of education first. Supporting storylines follow Sharif El Mekki, a principal at a nearly all Black charter school in West Philadelphia, and Malcolm London, a young poet activist fighting for criminal justice reform in Chicago. Other notable voices in the film include Malcolm Jenkins, Carmelo Anthony, Jemele Hill, Dr. Harry Edwards, former Secretary of Education John King, and more. Ultimately, the film serves as a rare glimpse into the emotional landscape of Black boys and men, illuminating their full humanity, vulnerability and resilience.
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