Power & Community - #20: Nate Parker, American Skin and Black Storytelling

#20: Nate Parker, American Skin and Black Storytelling

04/09/21 • 56 min

Nate Parker discusses his latest film “American Skin”, why now is the time to put Black stories on screen, and how storytelling is the legacy we leave behind for those who come after us.
About Nate Parker:
Nate Parker is an award-winning actor, writer, director and producer, who has played lead characters and held starring roles in at least 19 films, including American Skin, Beyond The Lights, Red Tails, The Secret Life of Bees, Arbitrage, and Pride. Most recently, Parker wrote, directed, and starred in the film, The Birth of a Nation, which tells the story of Nat Turner (played by Parker) who famously led the 1831 slave rebellion in Virginia. In his vision for the film, Parker expresses his deep desire to challenge the country to “heal from racial trauma through an honest confrontation with our past.” The Birth of a Nation won both of Sundance’s most sought-after honors: the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize. In addition to being a prolific artist, he is also a devoted activist. Parker says “If I am to be remembered by anyone, I would hope, those people speak my name as an individual who possessed a riotous disposition toward injustice, offering life and career as one of service to the marginalized, subjugated and oppressed peoples of the world.” Parker recently launched the Nate Parker Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to confront systemic crises and disparities within the African and African American communities in the areas of education, cultural enrichment, and social and economic justice. He is an outspoken advocate for racial equality, dedicating much of his time to closing the opportunity gap for boys and young men of color. Parker holds a degree in Computer Programming from the University of Oklahoma and an honorary Doctorate from Wiley College.

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#19: EYEJ Youth Spearhead Social Change

Chanda talks to EYEJ students Carrington Hughes, Arunima Gupta , and Richa Kuklani about the digital divide, lack of Black representation in film and media, and what the future may hold for student-oriented learning and less teacher-focused classrooms.
EYEJ (Empowering Youth Exploring Justice) is a nonprofit organization that drives social justice reform by empowering young people to advocate for change.
Carrington Hughes is a 16-year-old sophomore at Shaker Heights school. Her journey with EYEJ began with the YODJ program. She is now a member of the EYEJ youth council as a recruiter and speaker. She is also the creator and owner of the blog @trulymetanoia on Instagram.
Arunima Gupta is a senior at the Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering in Rockaway, NJ. She is extremely passionate about education, cognitive science, and mental health. Outside of school, Arunima enjoys singing, dancing, playing tennis, volunteering, and talking to friends.
Richa Kuklani is a senior in Pennsylvania. She is involved in many activities relating to science, education, and social justice. She joined EYEJ because of how the organization gave youth the opportunity to try to solve injustices and challenges facing various communities.

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#21: Power, Love, and Storytelling within the Realm of Black Womanhood.

Brianna Clay has a brave conversation with us about examining what it means to be a Black woman, honoring Black women through storytelling, and telling stories that have yet to be brought to life but can educate and ground us into the history of Black people.
About Brianna Clay:
Brianna Clay is a writer, filmmaker, and content curator from Chicago who aims to tell stories that inspire change, fosters healing, and empowers underrepresented communities. She believes art is activism and sees storytelling as a vehicle for social change. In 2018 she co-directed the film Black Bones while attending the Nate Parker Film Institute which was screened at the 27th Annual Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. In 2020 she curated and produced a short video entitled Breathe as a response to the unjust killing of George Floyd and the protests that took place shortly after. Brianna continues to write, direct, and produce stories that positively impact society by using visual storytelling as a platform to raise awareness and cultivate empathy. She continues to work on personal projects focusing on stories that are often left untold.