By Evan Goldman, Executive Director Jewish Community Relations Council of Broward County
In celebration of Juneteenth, the Alcee L. Hastings Broward Black-Jewish Alliance, Jewish Community Relations Council of Broward County (JCRC), and The Westside Gazette, proudly present the Juneteenth Mini Film Festival as a tribute to the spirit of hope and resilience of the African American community. Often referred to as our country’s “Second Independence Day,” Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were free by executive decree.
In every way, our support of the Juneteenth Mini Film Festival is an embrace of Jews of Color who comprise 12-15% of all Jews in the United States. I have a multiracial Jewish family, as does Denise Lettau, who chairs both the Alliance and JCRC. Make no mistake, the Jewish community is as diverse as Broward itself. It is also an opportunity to honor the late Congressman Hastings, who saw zero daylight between anti-Black racism and anti-Jewish hate. In his memory, we are setting the stage for a new grand alliance between the Black and Jewish communities with Greater Fort Lauderdale as the epicenter of it all.
The Film Festival is free and a project of FLIFF (Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival). It kicks off with MISS VIRGINIA on Tuesday, June 18. Based on a true story, Miss Virginia stars Emmy-winner Uzo Aduba as a struggling, single mother who is losing her teenaged son to the rough streets of Washington, DC. Unwilling to see him drop out and deal drugs, she puts him in a private school. But when she can’t afford tuition, she launches a movement to change the system that is destroying him and thousands like him. Attacked and threatened by those who don’t want change – from corrupt politicians to a local drug lord – Virginia discovers the depths of her own inner strength. Brushstrokes for History, an initiative led by Yana Danzig to promote community connection between artists and history, particularly in the Sistrunk corridor, will display art from students at Dillard High School.
On Wednesday, June 19, Melony Armstrong, the subject of the film FREEDOM HAIR, will join guests at a reception preceding the film and engage in a discussion following the screening. Based on Melony’s inspiring story, FREEDOM HAIR recounts her experience as a woman who worked at a shelter for battered women, determined to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence for herself and others. However, she must first fight to overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and the State of Mississippi in order to succeed. Spoken Word artist Darius Daughtry and musical guest Kiowa Catlin will be featured.
KEMBA, playing on Thursday, June 20, is based on the true story of Kemba Smith Pradia, who went from sheltered college student to drug dealer’s girlfriend to domestic violence victim. She was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison, and President Bill Clinton pardoned her after 6.5 years. Kemba is now victims’ rights advocate, and founder of The Kemba Smith Foundation, raising awareness on issues facing youth and women – drug abuse, domestic violence, law enforcement in Black communities and more. The film will be preceded by a drumming performance by FeminAfrika World Music Ensemble.
The Juneteenth Mini Film Festival takes place June 18-20 at Savor Cinema, 503 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale. Free parking is available in the garage on SE 5th Avenue adjacent to the theater. Reception at 6pm; Film at 7 p.m. For free tickets and information please visit https://fliff.com/juneteenth
