Woke Up Black to screen at Chicago Cultural Center on October 24

In Q&A with NPR’s Cheryl Corley, youth discuss their personal stories and the importance of the 2012 vote

WHAT:             Complimentary screening of compelling documentary by Chicago filmmaker and activist Mary F. Morten, nominated for 2012 Black Excellence Award for Film Direction. Morten and two youth featured in the film will be on-hand for a pre-screening reception and a post-screening discussion moderated by NPR’s Cheryl Corley.

The film has screened at the San Francisco and San Diego Black Film Festivals, The Bronze Lens Film Festival, and the Big Muddy Film Festival, in addition to dozens of private screenings at colleges, nonprofits and professional organizations.

The film follows five Chicago-area African American youth for two years: Rosalee, the first in her family to attend college; Carter, a student athlete adopted by a gay couple when he was 10; Morgan, an engineering student from a predominately white suburb; Ace, a self-identified genderqueer activist whose family has difficulty accepting her identity; and Sheldon, a community organizer and new father.

 

The post-screening discussion will examine the role of the youth vote in the 2012 election and explore how the lives of the youth in the film have changed since the film was produced. NPR’s Cheryl Corley will facilitate a Q&A.

WHEN:             Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 6-8 p.m.
6:00 p.m.: Reception
6:30 p.m.: Screening
7:30 p.m.: Q&A

WHERE:           Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor, 78 E. Washington St.
Closest public transit: Randolph/Wabash CTA Brown/Pink/Orange/Green/Purple Line stop (or Lake on Red Line). Also accessible by CTA bus #60.

WHO:               Mary F. Morten, Director/Producer
Sheldon Smith and Rosalee Johnson, Documentary Subjects
Cheryl Corley, Reporter, National Public Radio

RSVP:              Register at: http://wubatccc.eventbrite.com