IMPACT CAMPAIGN

Our film has just completed post-production and is now being prepared for distribution. We're submitting to socially conscious film festivals and exploring distribution channels to amplify the story of the Glendora Collaborative, including in educational settings.

This documentary is not merely about struggle—it’s a tribute to the creativity, strength, and cultural wealth of Glendora. But the village is at risk—not only of physical collapse, but of cultural erasure, and this vital American story could be lost.

Through this film, we seek to spark awareness, education, and action. Glendora—part of the Civil Rights Trail and tied to the legacy of Emmett Till—is still unfamiliar to most Americans.

ISSUES

• Glendora a town of deep cultural and historical significance—including its
  role in the Civil Rights Movement and as the birthplace of blues legend
  Sonny Boy Williamson II—is facing existential threats. Despite its legacy,
  the community is rapidly deteriorating under the weight of systemic
  neglect and persistent inequality.

• Generational scarcity, de facto school re-segregation, and a lack of job
  opportunities trap many residents in cycles of fragility. Nearly a third of
  households lack access to a vehicle, severely limiting mobility,
  employment, healthcare access, and even food access.

• Access to (often subpar) healthcare is limited, contributing to too many
  preventable deaths. Educational institutions are underfunded and
  unequipped to support Glendora’s youth, further entrenching
  disadvantage.

• Many homes are in unsafe conditions, with no viable alternatives. The
  town's last stores have shuttered, leaving Glendora a food desert.
  Infrastructure is collapsing, with no clear path to recovery.

• Surrounded by industrial farmland and intersected by hazardous freight
  rail traffic, Glendora faces environmental threats. A recent train
  derailment released toxic benzene and damaged water systems, posing
  further urgent threats.

GOALS

• We aim to raise awareness about Glendora’s history and current
  realities—reflective of many Black rural communities—through oral
  histories, cultural expressions. This film will also foster tangible
  outcomes through engagement opportunities tied to its release. We
  envision partnerships with educational institutions, historical
  societies, and philanthropic organizations that can channel resources
  directly into Glendora.

• The film elevates Glendora’s voices and supports two key nonprofits:
  the Emmett Till Museum (ETHIC) and Partners In Development (PID),
  which offers vital services like education, children’s meals, tutoring
  and housing. The campaign will drive visibility, funding, and
  partnerships to strengthen their work.

• We seek to catalyze tangible change through:

– Educational tourism to historical sites

– Expansion of affordable housing

– Main Street revitalization

Community screenings and partner engagement will activate viewers to
donate, visit, collaborate, and invest.

• By highlighting Glendora’s creativity, resilience, and culture -rather
  than the community’s material deficits—we challenge cultural
  perceptions about rural Black communities and foster connection
  and solidarity.