Representation in Cinema

Hello listeners – we are BACK in the studio after a bit of hiatus! It’s Jackie McGriff, your host on today’s podcast episode where we’re diving into the film, The Six Triple Eight!

In the studio today, we have Bryan and Tam Little. Bryan Little is a producer and founder of DREAMINCOLOR International Creator Sessions, a monthly virtual gathering that connects Black, Brown, and People of Color entertainment professionals to global opportunities through networking, showcasing, peer connection, and professional development.

Tam Little is an award-winning filmmaker, conference speaker, and passionate storyteller dedicated to uplifting the voices of women and people of color in film. She is the director and producer of MOVE, a powerful documentary centered on the tragic mass shooting at a Boys and Girls Club in Rochester, NY. The film explores not only the heartbreaking loss of innocent young men, but also the resilience of a community that chose to respond with action, healing, and hope.

Bryan and Tam are the founders and hosts of DREAM IN COLOR INTERNATIONAL, a global platform that amplifies the stories and celebrates the voices of Black storytellers and changemakers of color, creating a supportive community to learn, grow, and be inspired. Be sure to catch their next virtual meetup on Thursday, April 10 at 7pm EST with Avril Speaks, Netflix Showrunner of Files of the Unexplained. RSVP here.

You can listen to previous episodes on Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. You can also learn more about our films on our website at https://www.ourvoicesproject.com. If you’d like to be a guest on our podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Please note that while we welcome all, we prioritize hearing from Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks especially since this podcast is about highlighting the films telling authentic and multifaceted stories of Black, Brown, and Native peoples.

Mentioned in this episode:

Refined Taste with Dario & Chris

Weekly Live show where comedians Dario Joseph and Chris Thompson talk and laugh with representatives of Rochester, New York’s food and drink scene.

Refined Taste - Cripsy Comedy at Crisp!

Check out Dario and Chris from Refined Taste and other guest comics at CRIPS 3/7!

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Hello listeners! It’s Jackie McGriff, your host on today’s podcast episode where we’re diving into our film, Being Black in America with more of our storytellers. Yes, this is PART TWO! If you haven’t already listened to Part 1, please go do so. You can catch that episode and all of our other podcast episodes anywhere that you get your podcasts.

If this is your first time listening, two things – the first is HEYYYYY and the second is Being Black in America is our latest short documentary film where we show an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? It’s a question that’s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.

Today's episode features the second half of our storytellers featured in the film: Tiffany Porter, Kim Smith, Tiffany Porter, Dr. Katrina Overby, and Gabrielle Brannigan. We get into a whole lot about Black identity, intersectionality, and how Black folks, especially Black women and queer folks are portrayed in the media, and our history like you haven't heard it before and the importance of teaching that history RIGHT.

As it's referenced in the podcast, be sure to check out Dr. Katrina Overby's thesis, Doin’ It for the Culture: Defining Blackness, Culture, and Identity on Black Twitter: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2305527251?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses

You can also read her latest in the intersectional feminist journal, "Gatherings", The Familiar Feels Like Family: A Black Feminists' Approach to Placemaking and Gathering for Black Women in the Academy: https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/gatherings/vol1/iss1/5/.

Want to host a screening and talkback of Being Black in America? Visit https://www.ourvoicesproject.com/hostbbia and fill out our screening interest form. We’d LOVE to bring our film to you to create brave and safe spaces for unfiltered discussions about Blackness, host panels with Black community leaders, activists, students, and entrepreneurs committed to racial equity and pushing for real change with action items.

On today’s podcast episode, we get into one of our very own films, Being Black in America.

This is the first time we’re doing this on the podcast – the first of many episodes where we interview folks involved in our productions. Being Black in America is our latest short documentary film where we show an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? It’s a question that’s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.

Our guests today are Ann Marie St. Rose, Evelyn Holmes, and Taurus Savant! Listen to them talk about their experiences filming and dive deeper into thoughts shared in the film and expanding a little bit further into what they didn't get to talk about on screen.

You can read more information about this film and how to host a screening on our website at ourvoicesproject.com/black-in-america. We’d love to bring our film to you along with our storytellers to get to know them as well as dive deeper into topics discussed in the film and beyond.

JACKIE MCGRIFF and KRISTEN SEVERSKY, one of the most prominent voices for film, tech, and social justice in our community join the Punches and Popcorn team for an exciting talk about Monkey Man, a thrilling new film by Dev Patel!

Frybread Face and Me is a 2023 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Billy Luther. It follows the story of a young boy named Benny who comes from San Diego to spend the summer with his Navajo “Dine” grandmother on her reservation in Arizona. There he meets and bonds with his cousin Frybread Face, and the film explores their family’s legacy and their personalities as they try to make sense of the world around them and the people that they may become. Angelina Hilton, Maureen Connell, and Casey Magaris join us on the podcast to discuss complex family relationships, gender, and culture to name a few themes.

Angelina Hilton is an enrolled member of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska, a devoted wife and mother, an emerging artist, and the visionary behind Native Made. At its core, Native Made exists to increase Indigenous visibility. Her initiative offers marketing and other services for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Angelina is on the Indigenous Advisory Sub Committee for Indigenous People’s Day Committee and a volunteer with the Indigenous Health Coalition with Common Ground. She values family involvement and balances work with passions like photography and writing. Angelina's journey embodies cultural ties, family commitment, and advocacy. As a wife, mother, artist, and activist, she inspires inclusivity and positive change. Discover more at nativemadehq.com and connect at [email protected].

Maureen Connell is Indigenous Mexican and Spanish and is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico and moved to Rochester, New York when she was 7 years old. Maureen earned a Master's Degree in clinical Psychology while living in Seattle, Washington where she practiced mental health therapy. She also practiced in Barrow, Alaska, and Lake Havasu, Arizona before returning to Rochester, NY in 2016 where she worked as a dual diagnosis therapist at Evelyn Brandon with a focus on women and trauma. However, after years of working for clinics that did not address Indigenous/ Native American healthcare in a holistic way, in 2017, Maureen stepped away from clinical work with a personal desire to help raise awareness of this inequity. In 2021, along with Casey Magaris, Maureen started the first Indigenous/ Native American Employee Resource Group at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield. She is also a member of the steering committee of the Indigenous Health Coalition through Common Ground Health Initiative.

Casey Magaris has worked in the healthcare and insurance fields for over 20 years. Along with Maureen Connell, Casey created the Indigenous Employee Resource group with Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield. She is a member of the steering committee of the Indigenous Health Coalition through Common Ground Health Initiative, and a staunch advocate for health equity among the Haudenosaunee. Casey is an enrolled member of the Akwesasne Mohawk tribe and a proud descendent of residential school survivors. In her free time, Casey enjoys time with family, beadworking and crafting.

The Representation in Cinema podcast is hosted by Our Voices Project. We are a production company committed to embracing identity, celebrating resiliency, and promoting visibility through uplifting the voices and sharing the lived experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous Peoples through our films, Representation in Cinema podcast episodes, and live panel discussions.

You can learn more about Our Voices Project at www.ourvoicesproject.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Follow Representation in Cinema and listen to all of our podcast episodes anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts! Subscribe to mailing list to be the first to hear about new projects, upcoming events, and new podcast episodes!

It's been a full year since our last podcast recording and, in this episode, we talk about all of the life changes happening and all of the projects and events that we've been working on with Our Voices Project ever since.

You can view information about all of our films at www.ourvoicesproject.com/projects. We are happy to announce that 3 of our films are available for screenings and panel discussions. Be sure to visit the pages for Identity, This is My Grandmother, and Being Black in America to fill out our screening interest forms to learn how you can host a screening at your local library, college/university, theater, community center, place of worship, Boardroom, or virtual space. Once you fill out a form, we will reach out to you with information about investment and availability.

We'd love to share our films with you!

Additionally, as expressed in this episode, we always stand on the side of marginalized and oppressed folks, so it's Free Palestine until it's backwards. For resources on updates coming out of Gaza and the West bank and on the history of the occupation of Palestine, you can visit our page here: Palestine.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and YouTube. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get information about upcoming projects, screenings, and new podcast episodes!

Announcing the Lunchador Podcast Network!Lunchador co-founders Matt Austin and Chris Lindstrom talk about the new Lunchador Podcast Network, bringing you the best in arts, culture and more from Western NY!

www.lunchador.org

Jason Barber, Cuban American educator and artist, joins the podcast to discuss the legacy of actor, activist and LEGEND Edward James Olmos and Latinx representation in discussing the films: Mi Familia, El Norte, Selena, Zoot Suit, and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez.

Jason Barber is a Cuban American educator and artist with over a decade of experience in Rochester’s arts and non-for-profit sectors. As an active public artist in Rochester, he has served in many roles for a variety of Rochester’s art institutions– Rochester Brainery, Oxford Gallery, Memorial Art Gallery, Wall\Therapy, and the Yards Art Collective. He currently sits on the development and outreach boards for Roc Art United, Latinx Art Council, and Catholic Charities of Rochester, and teaches art at the Academy of Health and Science. Mr. Barber’s presentation will explore the impacts that Latino/Latinx artists are having in Rochester through their murals and public art works. He is also a massive film lover with an encyclopedia’s worth of knowledge in cinema.

Host: Jackie McGriff

Co-Host: Deborah Alvarez

The Representation in Cinema podcast is hosted by Our Voices Project. We are a production company committed to embracing identity, celebrating resiliency, and promoting visibility through uplifting the voices and sharing the lived experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous Peoples through our films, Representation in Cinema podcast episodes, and live panel discussions.

You can learn more about Our Voices Project at www.ourvoicesproject.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.Follow Representation in Cinema and listen to all of our podcast episodes anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts! Subscribe to mailing list to be the first to hear about new projects, upcoming events, and new podcast episodes!

This episode of Representation in Cinema was recorded at the Food About Town studio.

Song: "You are so money"

Written by: Matthew Wigton

Performed by: Falls

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Indian Horse is the story of Saul Indian Horse, a young Canadian First Nations boy who survives the Canadian Indian residential school system in the 1970s to become a star hockey player. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Wagamese. Indian Horse stars Sladen Peltier, Forrest Goodluck, and Ajuawak Kapashesit who all portray Saul at different stages in his life. Stephen Campanelli is the director.

In our discussion, we listen to our feature guests, Ronald and Ronnie Garrow of the Akwesasne Mohawk Bear Clan, share their heart in talking about the film, reliving the trauma told to them by relatives and ancestors who were forced from their homes and put into residential schools in Canada, discussing the significance of humor and educating the public about Indigenous history.

Ronald Garrow is the Founder and Executive Director of The Indigenous Peoples Center in Rochester, NY, a nonprofit organization supporting and promoting awareness of the Indigenous people’s culture, primarily the Haudenosaunee Culture (known as Iroquois).

While creating and running The Indigenous Peoples center Ron serves on the Board of Directors for Kanatsiohareke, a Mohawk Community in Fonda, NY and works full time for NY State Department of Motor Vehicles. Ron grew up on the Akwesasne Indian Reservation of Upstate New York and currently lives in Rochester, NY near his Children and Grandchildren.

Ron has worked with many individuals and local entities through speaking engagements, interviews, and public events to bring positive change and celebrate the indigenous cultures that are present in the region. Ron enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and is a Mohawk language speaker.

Ronnie Garrow is a 2021 graduate of Irondequoit High School. Ronnie played football and earned all-county accolades and was the team’s co-most valuable player. He was recognized as an All Star for Lacrosse as well. Last year Ronnie was a featured panelist on “BIPOC Voices Be Heard!” – a virtual safe space for students of color to share their experiences with racism in their daily lives at school and in the community as hosted by the group, E.R.A.S.E- Eliminating Racism and Seeking Equity. Currently, Ronnie attends SUNY Morrisville and is majoring in applied psychology.

Host: Courtney Shouse

Co-Host: Jackie McGriff

The Representation in Cinema podcast is hosted by Our Voices Project. Our goal is to dismantle destructive stereotypes of minority groups perpetuated in the media by producing films centered on the multifaceted experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Our Voices Project is also a committed community partner, providing opportunities to affirm racial and cultural identities, empowering students as agents of social change, and contributing to an individual’s learning through cultivation of critical thinking. You can learn more about Our Voices Project at www.ourvoicesproject.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Follow Representation in Cinema and listen to all of our podcast episodes anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts! Subscribe to mailing list to be the first to hear about new projects, upcoming events, and new podcast episodes!

This episode of Representation in Cinema was recorded at the Food About Town studio.

Song: "You are so money"

Written by: Matthew Wigton

Performed by: Falls

We're still recovering from all that is this incredible sequel to Black Panther. Consider Our Voices Project a part of your support group.

Wakanda Forever is the sequel to Black Panther that tells the story of the Wakanda royal family picking up the pieces felt after King T’challa’s death, a tribute in honor and memory of the late Chadwick Boseman.

Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom. The film stars Letitia Wright, Dominique Thorne, Angela Basset, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Tenoch Huerta. Wakanda Forever is directed by Ryan Coogler. .

In our discussion, we talk about what we loved about the film, the juxtaposition of grieving loved ones and celebrating life, a little bit about the history of colonization, and, as always, the importance of accurate representation in movies.

Special thanks to Chris Lindstrom of the Food About Town and In Good Spirits podcasts for letting use his studio to record this episode - thank you Chris!

The Representation in Cinema podcast is hosted by Our Voices Project. Our goal is to dismantle destructive stereotypes of minority groups perpetuated in the media by producing films centered on the multifaceted experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Our Voices Project is also a committed community partner, providing opportunities to affirm racial and cultural identities, empowering students as agents of social change, and contributing to an individual’s learning through cultivation of critical thinking. You can learn more about Our Voices Project at www.ourvoicesproject.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Follow Representation in Cinema and listen to all of our podcast episodes anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts! Subscribe to mailing list to be the first to hear about new projects, upcoming events, and new podcast episodes!

Song: "You are so money"

Written by: Matthew Wigton

Performed by: Falls