“Exploring the Legacy of a Civil Rights Pioneer”
MIMS, FL—The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex Board of Directors in collaboration with award winning independent film producer/director Cathleen Dean, Black Cat Media, have joined forces to produce a new historically accurate cinematically engaging documentary that traces the life and legacy of Harry T. Moore, a pioneer of the early civil rights movement whose work laid the foundation for future generations of activists. The documentary highlights key accomplishments of individuals and organizations working to keep Moore’s legacy alive, including the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park and Museum and the NAACP. Through interviews with historians, activists and Moore’s family members, the film explores the impact of Moore’s activism and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. The documentary is currently in the pre-production phase have recently completed the “proof-of-concept” trailer, https://www.cathleendean.com and is now working on securing funding for the project including creating a GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/69e13d22 to move into the next phase of the project.
The Moores were educators in Brevard County Florida during the 1920’s-40’s. Harry Moore became involved with the civil rights movement when he organized the first Brevard County NAACP branch in 1934. He went on to organize some 50 branches of the NAACP throughout Florida and filed the first lawsuit to equalize black and white teachers’ salaries in 1937. Later fired by the Brevard School Board in 1946 for their activism, their lives were tragically cut short by a bomb blast under their Mims home on Christmas night 1951, their 25th wedding anniversary. No one has ever been prosecuted for their murder.
“In the Footsteps of Harry T. Moore”- A Journey Across Florida” serves as a powerful tribute to a pioneering couple in the civil rights movement and inspires viewers to continue the fight for justice and equality for all.
The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex, Inc. was organized 2002 as a non-profit support for the Moore Memorial Park, whose mission is to provide cultural programming and physical enhancements to the park. The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park, located on the grounds of the original Moore family home site was purchased by Brevard County in 1994 and the Cultural Center was dedicated in April 2004. The park honors the legacy of the Moores, who were parents, educators, and leading local and national civil rights activists.
The park is dedicated to the commemoration of their lives, to promoting awareness of their contributions to the civil rights movement, and to preserving African American history. The Moore Cultural Center & Museum is a repository of Moore family artifacts and historical documents featuring significant events beginning with the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery in America.
Cathleen Dean is a talented director, producer and photographer with a wealth of experience in the realm of film and video production. She is driven by fervor for storytelling that addresses pressing social justice themes. Cathleen has garnered multiple awards for her work, including “Being” and has received an Emmy Award for her documentary “Wade in the Water: Drowning in Racism” reflecting her dedication to powerful narratives that resonate with audiences.
Dean states “I firmly believe there are no coincidences in life. A casual encounter with a friend at a movie theater in 2023 would ultimately lead me to a fateful encounter with William (Bill) Gary and former state Senator Anthony “Tony” Hill. As engaged in conversation with two remarkable individuals and learned about their unwavering dedication to public service and their commitment to upholding the legacy of Harry T. Moore I couldn’t shake the feeling that this story had found its way to me”.
William E. (Bill) Gary is President of the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex, Inc. Board of Directors. He is also President of the North Brevard County Florida Branch of the NAACP having served as president of the Moore Cultural Complex for over 15 years and president of the NAACP over 25 years of various tenues. He has secured over $1.5 million in funding to complete the Moore Memorial Park components including the Moore Replica House, Civil Rights Walking Trail, Special Event Gazebo, Twin Reflecting Pools/Fountain, Brick Paver Walkway, and Park Community Pavilion. He was instrumental in presenting a Resolution to the Brevard School Board which re-instated the Moores as “Teacher Emeritus”, created the Harry & Harriette Moore Legacy curriculum, provided for an annual field trip for all Brevard Public Schools eighth grade students, and the issuance of a public apology for the unjust firing of Harry & Harriette Moore. He also worked with officials of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to provide a display of the Moores in the museum’s Civil Rights Gallery. Gary has received numerous awards and accolades including two Lifetime Achievement Awards.
