NOVEMBER PLAYLIST
BE YOUR OWN MAINSTREAM
ALEXIS JENKINS
Each film represents different stages of experiences I’ve had.
From the age of four in kindergarten, I have encountered unfair treatment, discouragement, underestimation, and lack of proper support and attention by peers and educators that have, at times, impacted my ability to reach my full potential. However, since these early stages, I have independently discovered and grown my self-confidence, ambition, and recognition of self-worth and my intellectual capacity—which I am constantly expanding the boundaries of in order to learn more and to teach more. It is one of my objectives to be in the position to empower young girls and women who look like me to reassure them that they are capable of achieving, learning, and becoming just about anything they set their minds to, regardless of the discouraging voices in the background telling them they cannot, that they should not, and/or that they could never be. So, to have these films accurately capture parts of my story reminds me that because I am not the only one to experience and resiliently overcome these types of plights, it is only necessary to share my story and empower others, for which #womendo provides me the most fitting platform.
Alexis Jenkins, A Freshman At Emory University.
Michelle Obama & Tracee Ellis Ross in Conversation at the 2018 United States of Women Summit
2018, interview
Tracee Ellis Ross interviews former first lady Michelle Obama at the 2018 United States of Women Wummit. The inspiration, hope, wisdom, and uplifting words in this interview set the tone for the films I’ve chosen for my playlist about what women can achieve with education.
In addition to being the first black woman in presidential office as the first lady of the united states, Michelle Obama displays a rare graciousness, elegance, and sense of wisdom that I have looked up to and been inspired by since I was a young child.
Ruby Bridges
By EUZHAN PALCY
1998, Narrative Feature
Ruby Bridges resonates so deeply with my own personal experience as an educated black young woman because I understand the ways in which her bravery and emotional sacrifice was the stepping stone and catalyst that created the opportunity for me, along with many others, to receive the access to education we have the right to. Furthermore, this film is a reminder, and roughly similar depiction, of the emotionally draining struggle I, as a black female student have and continue to face, regarding proving my worth, value, and entitlement to be in the same learning space and receive equal treatment as my white counterparts.
Akeelah and the Bee
By DOUG ATCHISON
2006, narrative feature
Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl from south Los Angeles, is the first from her neighborhood to compete in the national spelling bee hard. Her hard work, determination, and confidence sets the example for young girls to follow their dreams and push themselves far beyond their expectations. Anything is possible once you set your mind to it! Extreme poverty and lack of educational access plague black communities in the Mississippi delta. This film examines the cyclical nature of illiteracy, rooted in slavery, and shows the hustle it takes to live without education.
I first saw this film when I was seven and immediately became engaged in expanding the ways in which I learned, beginning with vocabulary and diction. Interestingly, this movie launched my fascination with storytelling and creative writing because it pushed me become familiar with a more advanced vernacular that would allow me to accurately pinpoint emotions, actions, character description and interactions I wanted to convey to my audience.
Hidden Figures
By THEODORE MELFI
2017, narrative feature
In 1962, three African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson -- estimate, calculate, and apply the numbers that are needed to safely launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Throughout the film, these three brilliant minds send messages of integrity, leadership, and confidence as they demonstrate and affirm their knowledge and wisdom.
In middle school, I had a homeroom teacher discourage me from going after my ambitions because “I wouldn’t be able to do it.” in the moment, without question took her “wise” perspective and completely shut down, crushing my motivation and willingness to work towards attaining anything I imagined for myself. In the beginning years of my high school journey, however, I saw a screening of hidden figures and witnessed the toughness and fierceness exemplified by Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson. From that very day, I muted the voice of that teacher in my head and decided that she would be the last to disable me from dreaming, believing, and/or achieving.
Step
By AMANDA LIPITZ
2017, feature DOCUMENTARY
In 2016, the members of the senior class of an all-girls' high school step team in inner-city Baltimore work to become the first in their families to attend college and strive to take their dancing to an entirely different level while incorporating social activism. It’s shot in a raw reality style that effectively captures the hardships and triumphs of the characters struggles.
The powerful stories of each of these underprivileged young women represent the strength, hard work, and determination I have applied in many situations to create an outcome much more meaningful than obtaining awards or recognition. My dream is to open doors and create safe platforms for those who come after me to be able to accomplish their goals from equal footing.
Free Angela and All Political Prisoners
By SHOLA LYNCH
2012, feature DOCUMENTARY
Angela Davis’ social activism evolved into an alleged “botched” kidnapping that resulted in four individuals killed and her name on the FBI's most-wanted list. This film unveils the events, thoughts, and backstory of the unjust accusations against of college professor in 1972.
In each phase of Angela Davis' life, educational career, and efforts of activism, she shares one consistent message through and through that has represented each phase of my own: when fighting for equality and disrupting societal norm, one may be perceived as radical, and therefore ostracized, ridiculed, and condemned for it, so keep the fight going.
Maya Angelou: and Still I Rise
By RITA COBURN WHACK AND BOB HERCULES
2016, feature DOCUMENTARY
Revolutionary writer, poet, actress and activist Maya Angelou impacted an entire generation and created history to be told for many more to come. Here, she shares about the most significant events in her life, revealing the source of inspiration for later wrote about in poems and novels.
The grace, poise, wisdom, and impact of Maya Angelou in her documentary film fuels me with the assurance that education is the catalyst and root for change, and as a black woman like myself, obtaining and utilizing the universal tool of language can move the world beyond measure.
Homecoming
By BEYONCÉ KNOWLES-CARTER AND ED BURKE
2019, feature DOCUMENTARY
This 2019 American concert film follows American singer beyoncé and her performance at the 2018 Coachella valley music and arts festival, written, directed and executive produced by Knowles-Carter herself. Through her music, performance, behind-the-scenes footage, and narration, Knowles-Carter portrays the importance, excellence, and culture of attending a historically black college/university (HBCY) experience, while showing the brotherhood and sisterhood formed throughout the journey.
This intricately and thoughtfully constructed film has been one of the most crucial influencers as I faced a choice between attending an all-women’s historically black college and a predominantly white institution for college. After great deliberation, I had to concede that I was financially unable to choose Spelman College and it was heartbreaking, especially after reliving the indescribable feelings and emotions that overtook me when viewing Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s homecoming film over and over again. The tough college decision essentially prompted me to reflect on my overall educational experience as a black young woman, and what it has meant to me to have had the privilege of being accepted into the only all-women’s historically black college, a goal that I haven’t given up on!