J-School students launch Unity Film Series

Around the country, preparations are being made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which was first introduced to Congress in March 1965. So it makes sense that the J-School’s new Unity Film Series will kick off with Mississippi: Is This America?, a film that focuses on the volunteers who traveled to the South to register African-American voters during the Civil Rights Movement.

The film is part of the celebrated 14-part series Eyes on the Prize series about the civil rights movement, which was produced and directed by the J-School’s newest faculty member, Orlando Bagwell. After the screening, Bagwell will be on hand to discuss the film and answer questions.

The Unity Film Series is a student-led initiative that is a collaboration between the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Asian American Journalists Association. The film series will showcase a different film, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker on the first Wednesday of each month.

“[It’s] just one of the ways the boards plan to work together to provide enriching programming for the J-School community,” said second-year student Niema Jordan (class of ’15). “We hope to showcase a variety of voices and experiences and encourage engaging discussions through this series and other initiatives.”

The screening of Mississippi: Is This America? with director Orlando Bagwell will take place in room 105 at North Gate Hall on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.