Reception, Screening + Dialogue: "Traces of the Trade: A Story of the Deep North"
CULMINATING EVENT
6:30 p.m.
Traces of the Trade: A Story of the Deep North
Reception and Screening. Discussion after the film led by Charles Ogletree and Judy Woodruff.
This event, held at the newly opened Newseum in Washington, DC, will be the centerpiece and culminating activity of the 40th Anniversary of the Council on Foundations Film & Video Festival. Traces of the Trade: A Story of the Deep North is a film that has tremendous potential to serve as a point of departure for the long overdue national conversation on race and privilege in America.
Traces of the Trade chronicles the journey of descendents of the largest slave-trading family in America as they uncover their ancestors' history, explore the economic history of our nation, and begin a quest for personal and national reconciliation.
Following the screening, Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, and esteemed NewsHour journalist Judy Woodruff will lead a dialogue with a panel including Dr. J. Bryan Hehir of the Kennedy School of Government, Ambassador James Joseph, Professor Goodwin Liu of the UC Berkeley Law School, and Ruth A. Wooden, President of Public Agenda.
Our event is an effort to use the past to propel us into a better future, and Traces exemplifies the power of media to bring about change. The film has already served to move the Episcopal Church to pass resolutions at their national convention to address their role in perpetuating American slavery.
The bicentennial of the U.S. abolition of the slave trade was January 1, 2008. We believe Traces of the Trade: A Story of the Deep North could not be a more appropriate and timely film to feature along with a follow-up dialogue with the philanthropic community, members of Congress, and other Washington influentials. Traces of the Trade is joining a long list of foundation-funded films that have been able to move individuals, communities, and even our nation. The screening of this film and the dialogue that will follow are designed to be the beginning of a process of healing that the film and its engagement campaign will then carry across the country. www.tracesofthetrade.org.
Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North was one of the 16 documentaries selected for competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Read an interview on indieWIRE with Traces filmmaker Katrina Browne, where she talks about her family’s history in the slave trade and the challenges of making a film about race, class and privilege in America.
There is no charge for this event but a reservation is required. To r.s.v.p., contact Danielle Johnson: traces@aspecialgathering.com, (410) 685-7664.
Co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations · Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media · Annie E. Casey Foundation · The Baltimore Community Foundation · Benton Foundation · Center for Digital Democracy · Cinereach · Ford Foundation · Foundation for the Mid-South · Grantmakers in the Arts · Hispanics in Philanthropy · Media Democracy Fund · Mary Mountcastle · Mr. & Mrs Kevin Myatt · Open Society Institute · Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement · Phoebe Haas Charitable Trust · Skillman Foundation · Thomas-Moore Family · Mr. & Mrs. Garland Yates
[Attending both the Media Summit and the Traces screening on Tuesday? Join us from 4:30 - 6:30 for our "Dutch-Treat Media Dine-Arounds." Network, compare notes, or just relax. Sign-up for your table by contacting Danielle Johnson at traces@aspecialgathering.com, (410) 685-7664.]
