VE ³ and Community Connections

Gary, IN: A Tale of Two Cities (2018) 

The goals of this documentary were five-fold, to:

• Move beyond traditional research 

• Present counter-narratives of the lives of residents

• Identify macro-level problems and residents’ choices

• Provide an example of scholarly activism

• Listen to people’s voices 

Poverty, crime, and urban blight are words often used to describe Gary, Indiana. But do these words accurately reflect the present city or its promise? Do they capture the legacy and the lives of its residents? Does a focus on the city’s trials overshadow its triumphs? This 60 minute documentary candidly depicts the two faces of Gary, Indiana - the current problems facing this once thriving rust-belt metropolis as well as the progress and possibilities evident among its people, churches, and communities. The film also shows some of the tensions Gary faces as it reconciles its past, transforms its present, and charts its future (click below to see the film)

The IAM! Experience

• Inspired

• Affirmed

• And Making it Happen

The IAM! prevention program existed from 2015-2021 as a collaboration between Vanderbilt and Fisk Universities. In addition to one-on-one conversations over coffee with team members, group gatherings, and social media activities, the IAM! prevention program tapped into existing racial and cultural strengths of black young men. The program was funded by a 2015 Department of Health and Human Services grant ($1.75 million over 6 years) to build and enhance existing capacities among young black men who have sex with men (BMSM) and featured a community-level intervention to combat HIV and Hep-C called D-up: Defend Yourself! The IAM! experience included skill-building activities, group dialogue, and other creative events to provide individuals with knowledge, practical tools, and support to proactively make healthier decisions and think more positively about themselves. Participants left with usable resources and tools to be better equipped and empowered to effect positive change in their lives and in the lives of their friends.  Ultimately IAM! helped educate BMSM about: positive racial and sexual images; HIV and substance abuse; spirituality; self-care; peer support; and, introspection in a culturally sensitive, fun, safe, and innovative environment. Over one hundred young men completed the intensive weekend experience and hundreds more availed themselves of the program’s indirect services. The program continues at Fisk University under the leadership of Dr. Leslie Collins (lecollins@fisk.edu).

About the Kids

Studies show that getting a good education is crucial to position children for upward mobility. However, not all children have similar educational opportunities. About the Kids: Volumes 1 and 2 are 30-minute documentaries about the educational system in Gary, Indiana. In Volume 1, four-year-old Alex, a youngster from Gary, narrates the educational experiences of children and youth in the city from a child’s perspective. Volume 1 is formatted to be accessible to children. Volume 2 examines the history as well as current day obstacles and opportunities in the Gary Community School Corporation and local charter schools from the perspective of community leaders, local school administrators, teachers, and parents of children who attend such schools. Both films address systemic obstacles to children’s developmental needs in Gary.

FOUR VOICES

Voices...being heard is as vital to life as air, water, and food. We may recognize sound, but are we really listening? Are certain voices heard and other voices ignored?

The series Four Voices offers the mic to young Black people who share their stories of identity, religion, and spirituality. The four 30-minute documentaries focus on the religious and spiritual experiences of young Black members of the LGBTQIA community in the South. Two films have just been released in 2022! They capture the experiences of ArJae Mirari and Maxine Spencer. Each documentary is available to view free via YouTube. Listen to their voices...