Community

‘Whose Streets?' director speaks in Charlotte about movement for justice

The Levine Museum of the New South and POV will have a free screening and filmmaker question and answer around the award-winning documentary film “Whose Streets?” by Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis.
"Whose Streets?" is a look at the Ferguson, Missouri protests that began the day after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. When unarmed teenage Michael Brown was killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it was a critical moment for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri.  The film is told by the activists and leaders who are part of the movement. 
Following the screening, there will be a moderated conversation with Damon Davis, co-director/producer. 
Damon Davis is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist who works and resides in St. Louis. Davis has work in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and has exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts in Brooklyn and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
“The artist is a scribe of life,” Davis said. “You got to really be connected to people and places because they shape your perspective and your job is to paint a picture of your perspective.” 
Thursday’s screening and conversation was organized by Braxton Winston, Charlotte City Council at large representative and Alvin C. Jacobs Jr.
“’Whose Streets?’ was an important conversation in September 20th of 2016, and it’s an important one March 25th of 2019,” Jacobs said. “It’s a powerful voice and perspective from the streets, from the people.”
Jacobs captivates Charlotteans with his own work.  “K(NO)W Justice, K(NO)W Peace” is on display at the Levine Center of the New South, and his “Welcome to Brookhill” exhibit at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture.
The documentary short “A Story to Tell,” which profiles Davis, won an Emmy Award. Filmmaker Magazine selected Davis as one of its "25 New Faces of Independent Film" in 2016.  “Whose Streets?” is his first feature-length documentary.
“As an artist, we always have an obligation to tell people something else and them something else to think about,” Davis said.
“Whose Streets?” will be shown Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Levine Museum of the New South, 200 East 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28202.

The event is free but click here to register to attend or for more information.   

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, public affairs manager for WSOC-TV, WAXN-TV and Telemundo Charlotte, at kevin.campbell@wsoctv.com.

Cox Media Group

Most Read