Hoover-AHEAD is excited to be offering two different movie screenings at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration—Shuttlesworth and Bending the Arc: Origins.

Shuttlesworth

Shuttlesworth chronicles the life of the late civil rights leader, starting with his childhood and following his work at Bethel Baptist Church, the development of the Birmingham Campaign, and “the reactionary violence unleashed by the white power structure of the city.

Through this lens, SHUTTLESWORTH examines the City of Birmingham, its unique history and culture, and how the city became the symbol for social justice and the American Civil Rights Movement.

The hour-long documentary features conversations with members of Shuttlesworth’s family, including his daughters Ruby and Carolyn Shuttlesworth, as well as interviews with historians, politicians, and community leaders including Dr. Martha Bouyer, the executive director of the Historic Bethel Baptist Church Foundation, Bishop Calvin Woods; judge U.W. Clemon; Richard Arrington, the first Black mayor of the city of Birmingham; Birmingham’s current mayor, Randall Woodfin; and Dr. Andrew M. Manis, the author of the “A Fire You Can’t Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham’s Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth.”

Prior to the screening, T. Marie King, one of the producers of the film, with be present to introduce the film and take questions before the film is screened in the Hoover City Library Theater.

Bend the Arc: Origins

The Bending the Arc Project features the stories of both African Americans and a small group of little-known white allies who fought for racial justice during the Civil Rights Movement.

Bending the Arc: Origins, is chapter 1 in a multi-part documentary series on the struggle against racism in Alabama. Bending the Arc: Origins is about the foundations of racism in Alabama, from the slave trade and the proliferation of slavery through the Civil War; to Reconstruction; the violent backlash against emancipation; and the re-enslavement of African Americans through the convict leasing system. The film features descendants, Black and white, of people who were enslavers or who were enslaved on Alabama plantations.

Following the film in the Hoover City Library Theater, Barbara and Dorthy, who are featured in the film, will be available for a time of Q & A.

In the spirit of Juneteenth, you are invited to gather with friends, family, or new friends upstairs in the Hoover City Library Cafe to visit and spend time together celebrating the day. You are welcome to bring food from the food trucks or purchase food in the library’s East 59 Cafe as you enjoy your time together.

Sponsorships are currently available at the following levels:

Friends of Hoover-AHEAD: $100

Bronze: $300

Silver: $500

Gold: $750

Small Stage Sponsor: $1,000 (Vendor area and food truck area)- sponsors will have signs displayed in these areas

Large Stage Sponsor: $2,000 (Kids Area, Main Stage, Café Stage)- sponsors will have signs displayed in these areas

Title Sponsor: $5,000

Email hooverahead@gmail.com for more information or to provide a sponsorship.

Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership

Ants Got Da Juse

Jenny Lewis- Children’s Author

League of Women Voters

Sylvia’s Creations & Catering

South and Oak Company

The Mack Master Professional Organizing

Thrivent Financial serving Free Popcorn all day

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. —Psi Upsilon Zeta Chapter, Hoover, Alabama

Would your business, food truck, or organization like to be a vendor at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration? Email hooverahead@gmail.com for more details. When confirmed, vendors will be listed here. Vendors include those selling items as well as local organizations who will be available to help you better engage our community.