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Forward: Anger Into Action aims to tell the story of a city in the throes of change. We hope to capture the spirit of a movement created by a community in crisis. We aim to provide an outlet for the unheard and a platform for the organizations and people are at this heart of this story. The power of this film lies in those who dedicate their lives to making a community the best place to live, not just for a few but for ALL. We are currently entering year two of a three year production schedule.
Madison, Wisconsin, has been described in many ways, with adjectives like; progressive, liberal, welcoming, and affluent. It’s often been described as one of the best places to live, study, work and raise children in the United States. But there is one adjective that is rarely used to describe Madison -- either by the community itself or by the nation looking at it -- racist. How could it be that Madison consistently shows up near the bottom in national studies on the extent of racial disparities in education, health, justice, socioeconomics and more? In October of 2013, The “Race to Equity” report was released at the annual Racial Justice Summit hosted by the YWCA of Madison. This was a damning document for Dane County; it illuminated undeniable racial disparities and an uncomfortable reality that has long plagued Madison’s black, Latino and Asian communities: that in Dane County, Wisconsin, a child’s opportunities to succeed would be limited by the color of their skin.
This documentary is an observational portrait of a city at a crossroads; a crossroads it has faced many times throughout its history. We will document how the community uses this new opportunity to come together for lasting change. Our goals are to highlight the issues being dealt with, the individuals these problems affect, and what community leaders are doing to create change – both on a social level and in the hearts and minds of the citizens of a city. We will particularly focus on the school to prison pipeline and it’s extreme effect on young black men. In light of the recent officer-involved shooting death of Anthony (Tony) Terrell Robinson that occurred in Madison in March 2015, we feel that it is increasingly urgent and relevant to document this specific point in Madison history. We would like to shine light upon what is being done not only to hold this city accountable, but also to continue to show that hope and courage are still at the forefront of the minds of those working to create change.
Why are we making this film?
For the Forward: Anger Into Action Production Team, Madison, Wisconsin holds a special place in our hearts. The fact that this community is failing so many of it's people is impossible to ignore. We are continually inspired by the key individuals and organizations featured in the film and know that their critical work must be brought to the forefront of the conversation. These are the people, who despite the constant adversity, pain, anger and disappointment, are standing up and making a difference in creating a better Madison for all people.
We believe that when someone tells their story over and over again and is constantly brushed off or ignored, they stop telling that story. We aim to provide an outlet for these long ignored stories; and through them we will capture the spirit of a movement and the story of a community in crisis. Even after this documentary is finished we hope that it will continue to provide a platform for the organizations and people who make up the heart of its story.
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We need your help to give this documentary life and to bring courage and hope to the city of Madison in this pivotal time in history. Every contribution – no matter the size – helps bring the film one step closer to reality. Community support is what will make this documentary possible and is also what will make this documentary special. Contributions to this campaign will allow this story to reach more people and raise critical awareness in our community. We hope that those who view the film will be inspired to partake in meaningful conversations which will bring them to take action. For some it will be an eye opening look into a Madison they never knew existed, while for others it will highlight and further the important work being done by community leaders to create a brighter future for the all.
All core members of the Forward: Anger Into Action Team volunteer their time, our goal of $15,000 will allow us to do a number of things including adding paid local production personnel. We have also built in $2,000 for distribution costs once the film has completed post-production. See what your donation means to the Forward: Anger Into Action Production Team:
- $25 provides odds and ends when we need them most, batteries, extra SD cards, and spare parts.
- $50 provides a week's worth of administrative costs (mail, releases, etc.)
- $75 covers a day of providing food and water to the groups and individuals we're working with
- $100 covers a year of hosting for an informational/promotional website
- $150 covers a day rate for a Madison based production assistant
- $400 covers crew transportation for two weeks
- $500 covers a single day rate for Madison based production personnel
- $650 covers a full editing hard drive
- $1,000 covers additional camera rentals for location and interview shoots.
Current Key Individuals
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Jerome Dillard, Founder of Voices Beyond Bars and Dane County Jail Reentry Coordinator
Jerome Dillard is dedicated to his work to support formerly incarcerated men and women. As both the Dane County Jail Reentry Coordinator and Director of Voices Beyond Bars, Jerome’s focus is to provide an avenue for those returning to the community to a begin productive life in their communities. Jerome was appointed by the Governor to The Council on Offender Re-Entry in 2009. He also served on the Dane County Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System, this task force reported to the county executive with 80 recommendations to improve the criminal justice system in Dane County, Wisconsin.
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Reverend Dr. Alexander Gee, President & Founder of Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and Lead Pastor at Fountain of Life Covenant Church
Reverend Gee is a loving husband and father and also a pastor, writer, community activist, life coach, international lecturer, relief worker and social entrepreneur. He is passionate about understanding the impact of fatherlessness on the African American community, cross-cultural leadership empowerment, spiritual life coaching, motivational speaking, mentoring, and transformational leadership development.
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Ananda Mirilli, Restorative Justice Director at the YWCA Madison
As the Restorative Justice Director at the YWCA Ananda Mirilli has extensive experience in Racial and Restorative Justice training for youth and adults. Along with her work at the YWCA she currently co-chairs the Dane County Poverty Commission, is the Treasurer of the Latino Education Council, and is a Chair of Communities United. She is currently completing an M.A. in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis with a research focus in educational attainment of youth of color.
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Erica Nelson, Project Director of Race to Equity
Erica Nelson developed the original outline and design of the Race to Equity initiative late 2011. Erica serves, when time allows, as a private bar attorney for the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office. Erica has served as an advocate and consultant on child welfare issues and the role of parent representation for a wide range of organizations and policy groups.
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Lawrence Torry Winn, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at Race to Equity
Lawrence Torry Winn oversees strategic partnerships and engagement for the Race to Equity Project. Prior to working with Race to Equity, Winn served as Director of the Martin Luther King, Sr. Community Resources Collaborative in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with his work at Race to Equity Torry is pursuing a PhD in Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison with the focus on young adult/youth leadership, civic engagement and non profit leadership.
The Perks
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Above is the T-Shirt design we've put together to be received starting at the $100 level and can come in both women's and men's sizes. The design on the back of the t-shirt is similar to what will also be on the poster sent out at the $75 level.
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This is the design for the postcard thank you note received by everyone who gives $25 and above.
The Crew
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Jamie Quam & Jonathon Leslie-Quam, Producers & Directing Team
Jamie Quam and Jonathon Leslie-Quam are our brother/sister Directing team. They grew up just outside Madison in the community of Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin. After spending his formative adult years living and working in Madison, Jonathon headed to Texas for Graduate School. He is now a professor of documentary filmmaking at Midwestern State University. Much of his professional work has been focused on the human side of society's most difficult social issues.
Jamie is a graduate of UW Madison and has been working for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS), working to raise critical awareness and funds for DAIS' services and victims of domestic violence in Dane County. In the fall of 2015, she is going on to work towards a Masters of Science in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Her focus will be women's health and gender based violence, she hopes to dedicate her career to social justice and women's empowerment.
With Forward: Anger into Action, Jamie and Jonathon are highlighting the important racial justice work being done in Madison; helping to enhance the social dialogue about racial disparities in Wisconsin and across the country.
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Sheba McCants, Content Producer
Sheba McCants is a Madison native with a passion for the arts and community outreach. Sheba graduated from New York University in 2006, with a degree in Visual & Performing Arts with a concentration in how the arts can be used to create social justice and community change. Sheba currently works at DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) in fundraising and is also choreographer and owner of a local dance company. As a content producer for the film, Sheba is excited to contribute her communication and networking skills to the project and hopes to engage in meaningful conversations and action to move this community Forward.
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Joe Brown, Director of Photography & Producer
Joe Brown is a filmmaker and educator currently based at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. His documentary work has screened at: The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, New Filmmakers, New York; the Birmingham Sidewalk Festival; the Dallas International Film Festival, and many more venues. Brown holds both a MFA and a MA in video production and is the Editorial Vice President at the University Film & Video Association (UFVA). Joe is also currently producing a feature documentary of his own called,
Operation Wolf Patrol.
Chance Cork, Production Coordinator
Chance is currently an engineering student Madison College and has previously worked on documentaries filmed in the area, including Blood Brothers (debuted at the Wisconsin Film Festival) and The Cost of Silence. Having lived and worked in Madison for the past 10 years, his artistic background includes theatre, musical performance, and production organization.
Risks and Challenges
Production for this documentary began in January 2014 and Forward: Anger Into Action has come this far because of the passion each member of our team has for social justice, the need for change in Madison and our belief that through storytelling we can contribute in some small way to that change. This passion inspires us (along with strategic planning and creative thinking) to overcome any challenges that have come up along the way and we will continue to do so until the very end. The members of our team come from unique backgrounds and each bring their own set of skills which contribute to helping to finish this film. We have the drive and dedication to this project and we are not turning back.
Other Ways You Can Help
Spread the word! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Tell your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, organizations you work with, or people you just meet along the way during your day. Every person we reach through this site and our Facebook page brings us one step closer to reaching our goal.
