Free educational series runs from November 2023 – February 2024
Flint, Mich. – Communities First, Inc. (CFI) is excited to announce the 9th Annual African American Film Series in partnership with the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA). As always, the films selected are designed to highlight the works of African American creatives as well as inspire, inform, empower and entertain the participants. This year marks the organization’s ninth time bringing this free, educational program to the Flint community.
The series takes place once a month beginning in November through February, with films being shown on November 2 and December 14, 2023, and January 11 and February 8, 2024.
All films are shown in-person at the Flint Institute of Arts (1120 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48503). Before the film, guests are invited to tour the FIA’s galleries and enjoy a free dinner and live music. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m., and the films begin at 6:45 p.m.
“The African American Film series is something we look forward to every year,” said Glenn Wilson, president and CEO of Communities First, Inc.
Wilson added: “We are so grateful to continue to showcase African American film makers and producers in collaboration with our community partners.”
Directly following the film, CFI will host a brief film discussion featuring various experts on the topics of the respective films. This discussion will then be streamed on Communities First, Inc. Facebook Live and YouTube the following day.
“We are so excited to bring back the African American Film Series for the ninth year,” said Essence Wilson, chief strategy officer at Communities First, Inc.
She added: “The film series falls under our Culture Shock program where we aim to expose people to new experiences that they otherwise might not have had which helps us work towards our goal of improving the quality of life for our community.”
The schedule for upcoming films in the series is as follows:
Film Screening – Black Barbie on December 14
Flint Institute of Arts | Doors Open 5:30 p.m., Movie 6:45 p.m.
Love her or hate her, almost everyone has a Barbie story. For filmmaker Lagueria Davis, it all started with her 83-year old Aunt Beulah Mae and a seemingly simple question, “Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?”
BLACK BARBIE is a personal exploration that tells a richly archival, thought-provoking story that gives voice to the insights and experiences of Beulah Mae Mitchell, who spent 45 years working at Mattel.
Upon Mattel’s 1980 release of Black Barbie, the film turns to the intergenerational impact the doll had. Discussing how the absence of black images in the “social mirror” left Black girls with little other than white subjects for self-reflection and self-projection. Beulah Mae Mitchell and other Black women in the film talk about their own, complex, varied experience of not seeing themselves represented, and how Black Barbie’s transformative arrival affected them personally.
Virtual film discussion – Black Barbie on December 16
YouTube and Facebook Live | 2:00 PM
Film Screening – Drowning in Silence on January 11th, 2024
Flint Institute of Arts | Doors Open 5:30 p.m., Movie 6:45 p.m.
A mother takes a transformative journey after losing her son to the silent epidemic of childhood drowning. She goes on a quest for answers and ways to make a difference in the midst of tragedy.
Virtual film discussion – Drowning in Silence on January 13th, 2024
YouTube and Facebook Live | 2:00 PM
Film screening – Hush on February 8, 2024
Flint Institute of Arts | Doors Open 5:30 p.m., Movie 6:45 p.m.
“HUSH | Help Us Say Help” is a 76-minute documentary about the origins of generational trauma and access to mental health resources within Black communities. Millions of Black Americans struggle with mental illness but can’t afford to speak up for help. The filmmakers vision is to increase the prioritization and awareness of mental health resources within Black communities. With this film, they aim to educate, entertain and empower Black families to transform generational and individual trauma by seeking professional support.
Virtual film discussion – Hush on February 10th, 2024
YouTube and Facebook Live | 2:00 PM
The series is sponsored in part by the Flint Institute of Arts, Genesee Health System, Mid-Michigan Now, the Nartel Family Foundation, Valley Area Agency on Aging, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Glenn & Essence Wilson, Gary and Carol Hurand, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Flint Chapter, Lurvey Construction, HAP and Lynne Hurand. Donations are encouraged but not required.
About Communities First, Inc. (CFI)
Communities First, Inc. is a nonprofit community development corporation. Headquartered in Flint, CFI serves over 35,000 community members across Michigan and Indiana. CFI’s mission is to build healthy, vibrant communities through economic development, affordable housing, and innovative programming. More information about Communities First, Inc. can be found at www.communitiesfirstinc.org.
