Finding Purpose within Pain: Ferguson Rises Virtual Town Hall

The documentary Ferguson Rises charts Michael Brown, Sr.'s emotional journey to find purpose within pain after a Ferguson, Missouri police officer killed his teenage son Michael, Jr. in 2014. In the film, we witness what happens when a Black father and an entire community grapples with the hard and urgent work of seeking accountability.

Leading into the PBS premiere of Ferguson Rises on Independent Lens, join Michael Brown, Sr., film director Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, and a constellation of change makers to discuss how communities can follow Mr. Brown's footsteps along a path toward purpose—and help mend the wounds of racialized violence along the way.

Trained facilitators will share tools for communicating across differences as we explore our common humanity and shift entrenched narratives that stoke cycles of trauma. Throughout the town hall, we’ll view scenes selected from Ferguson Rises that spark conversation around topics that include:

• How can we build trust across differences?
• How can documentaries shape the conversation on racial violence in America?
• Getting in touch with unconscious bias as a way to limit harm

The virtual town hall culminates with a special appearance by Grammy-winning artist Aloe Blacc performing "Other Side,” his single featured in Ferguson Rises.

Register here. Instructions on how to join the virtual town hall will be emailed to you two days prior to the event.

ASL interpreters will be present during the panel discussions and film clips will be closed captioned.

Speakers:

• Sherry Simpson, ITVS, Sr. Director of Engagement & Impact Innovation (moderator)
• Mobolaji Olambiwonnu (filmmaker, Ferguson Rises)
• Michael Brown Sr. (Chosen For Change)
• Reverend Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou (Organizer)
• Theopia R. Jackson, Ph.D (Past President, The Association of Black Psychologists, Inc. and Chair, Clinical Psychology Degree Program, Saybrook University)
• Reverend Renita Marie Green (Former Pastor, St. John A.M.E. Church)

Special appearance by:

• Aloe Blacc
• Resistance Revival Chorus

The Film

Ferguson Rises explores the depths of the aftermath and protests following Michael Brown Jr.'s killing through a wide range of community members: from Black and white residents to police officers, to business owners, including those who chose to say "enough is enough" by taking to the streets for a record 400 days straight. This varied chorus of perspectives is interwoven with an intimate portrayal of a Black father’s grief and resilience that bears witness to the human capacity to find purpose within pain.

Ferguson Rises premieres on Independent Lens Monday, November 8. Watch on PBS and the PBS Video app starting at 10/9c.

Promotional Partners:

• Nine PBS
• KERA
• Georgia Public Broadcasting
• Maryland Public Television
• KQED
• PBS SoCal
• Kansas City PBS
• PBS North Carolina
• Black Public Media
• Center for Asian American Media
• Saybrook University

Stories for Justice is made possible with the generous support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Ford Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Wyncote Foundation and Park Foundation.