Join the Meaningful Movies Project for a virtual screening of "Mr. SOUL!" followed by a panel discussion and community conversation!

Before Oprah and Arsenio, there was "Mr. SOUL!" From 1968 into 1973, the public television variety show SOUL! offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics, capturing a critical moment in culture whose impact continues to resonate today. This powerful, hopeful documentary shines a spotlight on a generation of Black artists and watching it will inspire you and make you want to dance, sing, and speak up for justice!

This event will celebrate Black literature, poetry, music and politics with a fabulous panel of African American artists. After the film and a brief presentation by our panelists on OVEE, we will switch over to Zoom for a longer panel discussion and community conversation with the artists. We will post the link to the Zoom in the chat box after the movie and panel presentation.

Our panelists include:

Jacqueline (Jaye) Ware is a longstanding member of the African American Writers’ Alliance.  She is a Poet, Spoken Word Artist, and Playwright.  Jaye has performed at libraries, schools, Town Hall, museums (including Tacoma, Northwest African American, and Seattle), art galleries, bookstores (including Elliott Bay), and on Camano and Vashon Islands.  Her filmed, on-location play (reading), can be viewed on YouTube, Menrva Labs, “Madison Park Bench.”  Her filmed, hip-hop pandemic stage play, “COVID Dreams” is available On Demand at  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pandemicplayscoviddreams.   Motto:  “Words have power; use them wisely and in moderation.”

CJ Dudley – Born and raised in Seattle, Wa, CJ Dudley is an accomplished singer, song writer, poet, author, actor, painter, and clothing designer. Writing his first song at the age of 14, he would soon come to realize his natural gift for creating melodies and witty punchlines. As he began to gain more experience within the highs and lows in life, new creative avenues were birthed, which allowed him to be able express himself through means other than just music.

Ashanti Proctor - Ashanti Proctor is a versatile Seattle-based vocalist who stays ‘outside of the box’ by continuing to remain active within the many performing arts genres. Her professional performing arts experiences range from working with Walt Disney Entertainment, singing with live show bands, and being a songwriter. She holds a B.A. in Music: from Bennett College for Women, and she is a proud mother of two happy kids. Locally, she has worked with Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma Little Theatre, Centerstage Theatre, and Intiman Theatre.

This event is hosted by the Meaningful Movies Project, ITVS and Indie Lens. The Meaningful Movies Project supports a network of volunteer run groups that screen social justice documentaries followed by facilitated conversation, as a way to help people understand complex issues, bridge divides, build community and support peace and justice. The Port Townsend Meaningful Movies Group has organized this event.

And... Mr. SOUL! will premiere on PBS on February 22, 2021