Multiple organizations are joining hands to celebrate Black History Month by providing the Syracuse community with Saturday movie nights.
Event attendees will get a refresher on Black history and a show. Each Saturday from 4 -8 p.m., Syracuse residents of all ages can enjoy snacks while watching biopics and documentaries illustrating the lives of prominent Black figures in history.
Movies that will be shown include “Just Mercy,” “Eyes on the Prize,” “Something God Made” and “Queen of Katwoi.”
Jackie Lasonde, one of the event organizers, said the movie nights will kick off with a showing of “Selma” this Saturday at Brighton Academy at 309 W. Brighton Ave.
“We hope that there’s always that learning piece,” Lasonde said. “Just come for the information; stay for the entertainment, snacks and adults as well. Truly when we say inclusive, it’s open to everybody because it’s a part of all of our history. And so we’re just starting a conversation.”
A handful of local organizations, such as the Greater Syracuse Southside Neighborhood Association, Project S.O.UL., Book of Job, 100 Black Men of Syracuse and Beauchamp Library, contributed to organizing the movie event and also helped to pick the movies that will be shown.
According to Lasonde, Syracuse Schools Superintendent Anthony Davis has been a big help in planning the movie series and getting the word out to students and families.
“We’re excited to join with the superintendent who graciously allowed us to be able to utilize the school and facilities just to have the kids come back to a familiar place they go to school; therefore, we are thinking they’ll probably be more comfortable in their own school,” Lasonde said.
Picking uplifting movies about Black history was the priority. When deciding what films to show, Lasonde said it was important to show movies that inspire and allow viewers to take away something insightful. Because of this, it was decided not to show any film including enslaved people.
“Don’t make our beginning and ending chapter be about slavery because there’s so much story to be told and so much that isn’t told,” Lasonde said. “So, we’re trying to shine a light on here because of all the things in addition to this bad thing that happened.”
This is the first year the movie series will occur, but hopefully, it isn’t the last. Lasonde said the goal is to have consistent community outreach events that are enlightening and fun.
“That’s our focus,” Lasonde said. “Definitely, during and even after Black History Month, so we can keep going. Regardless, it shouldn’t be just us, but we’re going to be going to join with other groups that are interested.”
DETAILS:
What: Black History Month Movie Nights
Where: Brighton Academy at 309 W. Brighton Ave.
When: Every Saturday during February from 4-8 p.m.
How much: Free