Short Film Premiere: Lessons from the Rosenwald Schools

Join us for the premiere of Lessons from the Rosenwald Schools, a short documentary film about Rosenwald and other historic African American schools. This program is in association with Lost in Transition, an art exhibition in downtown Wilmington that celebrates the history of Black educators in the Port City.

Lessons from the Rosenwald Schools, produced by Claudia Stack, EdM, and Dr. Richard T. Newkirk, uses clips selected from hundreds of interviews with alumni and former teachers to illustrate the educational approach in these historic schools. Stack, an educator and filmmaker who has been documenting African American education heritage since 2003, and Newkirk, an educator and alumnus of these historic schools, help viewers understand how the schools fostered a culture of excellence. The film reveals practices that were common in Rosenwald and other historic African American schools, shows specific teaching strategies that are validated by current research, and recommends ways that we can move forward.

Following the film, Stack and Newkirk engage in conversation with Michael S. Williams, curator of Lost in Transition, about the research they did in creating the film and how it relates to education today.

Please note: this program takes place in Wilmington, NC.

Image: Claudia Stack and Dr. Richard T. Newkirk. Still image from Lessons from the Rosenwald Schools provided by Claudia Stack.