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2/22/2006
Calling All Media, Educators and History Enthusiasts!
Documentary on America's First Black Town Premieres February 28, 2006 in Durham, NC
RALEIGH, NC February 20, 2006 -- The documentary This Side of the River: Self- Determination and Survival in the Oldest Black Town in America premieres Tuesday, February 28, 7 pm in the Performance Hall of the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street in Durham, North Carolina. The screening is free to the public.
A production of North Carolina Language and Life Project (NCLLP) filmmakers Ryan Rowe and Drew Grimes, This Side of the River tells the inspiring story of Princeville, North Carolina, an almost century-and-a-half old stronghold of Black resistance founded by freed slaves in 1865 and its against-all-odds struggle to rebuild after a flood nearly destroyed the town in the wake of 1999s Hurricane Floyd.
Princeville, built by African-Americans who transformed swampland unwanted by their former owners into livable terrain, is the oldest town in America chartered by Blacks. Since Hurricane Floyd, third in the history of Americas most destructive hurricanes (with 1989s Hurricane Hugo at second and Katrina being first), the historic town triumphantly fought an attempted FEMA buyout which would have wiped Princeville off the map, and is making believers out of naysayers who, wary of the towns ability to survive, publicly rallied against Princeville in favor of the buyout.
This Side of the River also reveals the towns struggles to survive before the flood through decades of racial prejudice and economic hardship. Incorporating interviews with Princeville residents and North Carolina historians, the film offers a rare glimpse into the religious, political and economic culture of one of Americas few remaining all-Black communities.
All media, educators, history buffs and the general public are cordially invited to discover this untold piece of American history. With support from local businesses, community leaders and North Carolina State University entry is free, however donations will be accepted to raise awareness and financial support for the construction of an African-American history museum in Princeville.
The event will open with music by Princeville-area bluesman George Higgs, a Music Maker Foundation artist. Higgs appears on the films score, along with NC Hip Hop heavy hitters Cesar Comanche, L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Median of the Justus League who contributed the films theme track This Side of the River. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with historians and Princeville citizens.
NCLLP is a part of the NC State University Humanities Extension, and is an umbrella organization for carrying out research and educational programs in communities in North Carolina and elsewhere. This Side of the River is the most recent NCLLP production in a series of acclaimed documentaries on the rich culture and heritage of North Carolina communities.
Filmmakers Ryan Rowe and Drew Grimes are immediately available for print, radio, internet and television interviews. Your media support will aid NCLLP in advancing knowledge of important African-American history seldom taught in schools.
For media and other inquiries contact Ryan Rowe at rdrowe@ncsu.edu or 919-515-4151. Broadcast journalists may copy this PSA. Press photos available upon request. To learn more visit about This Side of the River visit TalkingNC.com or Hayti.org.
# # #
Last Nerve Press
Betty Black
Publicity Coordinator
email: lastnervepress@gmail.com
PR Contact:
Ryan Rowe
email: rdrowe@ncsu.edu
phone: 919-515-4151
RALEIGH, NC February 20, 2006 -- The documentary This Side of the River: Self- Determination and Survival in the Oldest Black Town in America premieres Tuesday, February 28, 7 pm in the Performance Hall of the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street in Durham, North Carolina. The screening is free to the public.
A production of North Carolina Language and Life Project (NCLLP) filmmakers Ryan Rowe and Drew Grimes, This Side of the River tells the inspiring story of Princeville, North Carolina, an almost century-and-a-half old stronghold of Black resistance founded by freed slaves in 1865 and its against-all-odds struggle to rebuild after a flood nearly destroyed the town in the wake of 1999s Hurricane Floyd.
Princeville, built by African-Americans who transformed swampland unwanted by their former owners into livable terrain, is the oldest town in America chartered by Blacks. Since Hurricane Floyd, third in the history of Americas most destructive hurricanes (with 1989s Hurricane Hugo at second and Katrina being first), the historic town triumphantly fought an attempted FEMA buyout which would have wiped Princeville off the map, and is making believers out of naysayers who, wary of the towns ability to survive, publicly rallied against Princeville in favor of the buyout.
This Side of the River also reveals the towns struggles to survive before the flood through decades of racial prejudice and economic hardship. Incorporating interviews with Princeville residents and North Carolina historians, the film offers a rare glimpse into the religious, political and economic culture of one of Americas few remaining all-Black communities.
All media, educators, history buffs and the general public are cordially invited to discover this untold piece of American history. With support from local businesses, community leaders and North Carolina State University entry is free, however donations will be accepted to raise awareness and financial support for the construction of an African-American history museum in Princeville.
The event will open with music by Princeville-area bluesman George Higgs, a Music Maker Foundation artist. Higgs appears on the films score, along with NC Hip Hop heavy hitters Cesar Comanche, L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Median of the Justus League who contributed the films theme track This Side of the River. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with historians and Princeville citizens.
NCLLP is a part of the NC State University Humanities Extension, and is an umbrella organization for carrying out research and educational programs in communities in North Carolina and elsewhere. This Side of the River is the most recent NCLLP production in a series of acclaimed documentaries on the rich culture and heritage of North Carolina communities.
Filmmakers Ryan Rowe and Drew Grimes are immediately available for print, radio, internet and television interviews. Your media support will aid NCLLP in advancing knowledge of important African-American history seldom taught in schools.
For media and other inquiries contact Ryan Rowe at rdrowe@ncsu.edu or 919-515-4151. Broadcast journalists may copy this PSA. Press photos available upon request. To learn more visit about This Side of the River visit TalkingNC.com or Hayti.org.
# # #
Last Nerve Press
Betty Black
Publicity Coordinator
email: lastnervepress@gmail.com
PR Contact:
Ryan Rowe
email: rdrowe@ncsu.edu
phone: 919-515-4151
# posted by Clyde @ 4:16 PM 
