Film Screening: “Ira Reid: Haverford College’s Unsung Scholar”
July 31, 2024 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm Griswold House
The Museum is pleased to partner with the Rhode Island Black Film Festival and the Ira Reid Foundation to present Dr. Ira Reid: Haverford College’s Unsung Scholar Activist. This powerful documentary tells the story of the unsung, pioneering transformational scholar who strengthened the chorus of justice, peace and equal opportunity for all. In the first half of the 20th century, Ira de Augustine Reid was the first African American to teach at a predominantly Black Southern university to pioneer the acceptance of faculty who looked like him at predominantly White northern liberal arts colleges. Before joining the faculty at Pennsylvania’s Haverford College, Reid taught at Atlanta and New York Universities. His study of Black immigrant communities resulted in a close working relationship with W. E. B. DuBois after being hired by him in 1934. He later mentored a young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who served as a research assistant to Reid.
Following the screening, film director Rel Dowdell will discuss the process of creating the film and importance of Reid’s legacy with Kamilah A’vant, President of the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC New England) and RI Black Film Festival Board Member.
Free, Seating is limited.
Reservations highly recommended.
About Our Guests
Rel Dowdell is an American screenwriter, film director, film producer, and English/film studies/screenwriting educator. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he received his bachelor’s degree in English with magna cum laude honors from Fisk University and a master’s degree in film and screenwriting with highest distinction from Boston University Internationally award-winning writer/director. Dowdell won the top prize in filmmaking at Boston University’s noted Redstone Film Festival in 1995. He is a full-time university professor, Director of Film Studies, English scholar, and film historian. In spring of 2023, he participated in a major interview on The 700 Club where he spoke about the impact of the casting of an African-American female actress in the remake of The Little Mermaid which was very well received and praised for Dowdell’s remarks of inclusion and youth inspiration for African-Americans.
Dowdell’s first feature film “Train Ride” received substantial critical acclaim, was acquired and distributed by Sony Pictures in 2005 and was a tremendous financial success. “Train Ride” was ranked as one of the best American films that year as cited by veteran film critic Gerald Peary of The Boston Phoenix. “Train Ride” also won the honor of “Best Feature” at the American Theatre of Harlem Film festival in 2005. In addition, the film featured the last performance of acclaimed veteran actress Esther Rolle, and starred Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, Nicole Prescott, and the late, celebrated hip-hop artist Guru. Veteran film critic Gerald Peary of The Boston Phoenix has compared Dowdell to John Singleton and Spike Lee in the way that his filmmaking blends urban storytelling and suspense to tackle relevant and universal social issues that are intimately intertwined with a powerful moral message.
Kamilah A’Vant, President of the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications – New England, believes and is committed to creating meaningful actions in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts across institutions and organizations. She is a diversity ambassador who champions inclusion and a human who pays it forward. She uses her voice to ensure that others are seen and heard. As a seasoned DEI&B leader, her purpose is to expand recognition and inclusion opportunities in personal and professional spaces. Kamilah focuses on growing inclusion by amplifying diverse voices, empowering and advocating for underrepresented students and groups, addressing issues of racial equity and fostering relationships that lead to meaningful actions and social impact.
She has experience in various senior leadership roles in the fields of media, publishing, finance and television. Formerly the Director of Diversity Programs at Color Magazine, where she created, executed and managed logistics for the brand’s DE&I programming, training and oversaw all editorial content of the online publication. She spent 9 years in broadcast television managing 71 US broadcast television stations and was an Adjunct Professor at Bay Path University teaching leadership and organizational studies courses. She graduated from Rhode Island College with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, received her master’s degree in Management and graduate certificate in Leadership from the University of Maryland University College.