You are invited to the NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Friday, July 19, to attend a screening of The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords, a documentary on the growth, history and impact of the black press. Following the screening will be a panel discussion and Q&A featuring distinguished guests and moderated by NPR Host and Special Correspondent Michele Norris. The screening is being held in tandem with the March on Washington Film Festival, which is offering a series of free film screenings throughout the city this month.
Soldiers Without Swords, produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, follows the history of the black press from the rise of Freedom's Journal in 1827, through the height of the Civil Rights Era and to the more recent decline in African-American-owned and -operated newspapers. Featuring narration from actor Joe Morton, interviews with prominent black journalists and music from Grammy-winning jazz performer Ron Carter, Nelson's film provides an engaging telling of this important piece of history.
Following the screening, Norris will lead a discussion about the film with Terence Samuel, National Political Editor at The Washington Post; Julian Bond, politician, professor and writer; and Laura Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. After the conversation, audience members will be able to ask questions of the panelists.
Reserve your free tickets now. General admission seats are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drinks will be available for purchase before the screening.
Check out this teaser for the film:
Justin Lucas has worked for the NPR Audience and Community Relations team since 2006. He lives in Baltimore, and spends his free time playing music and working on freelance design and illustration projects.
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