WTCI will partner with Rise (formerly Jazzanooga), the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga and the city of Chattanooga Office of Multicultural Affairs to host a screening and discussion of the PBS documentary, Boss: The Black Experience in Business. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, the new documentary brings the largely unknown stories of enterprising African Americans to the forefront and will be screened at the Palace Theater on Wednesday, May 15.
Review for Boss: The Black Experience in Business:
The history of business and entrepreneurship lies at the heart of the American story, but often absent from that narrative are the experiences of African Americans. From the country’s earliest days, African Americans have embodied the qualities of innovation, risk-taking and determination to forge a path toward a better life. Boss: The Black Experience in Business, by Peabody and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, traces the lives of African American entrepreneurs over 150 years, from those bound by bondage to moguls at the top of million-dollar empires.
Tying together the past and the present, Boss: The Black Experience in Business explores the inspiring stories of trailblazing African American entrepreneurs and the significant contributions of contemporary business leaders. Stories featured in the film include those of entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, publisher John H. Johnson, Motown CEO Berry Gordy, and business pioneer and philanthropist Reginald F. Lewis, among others. The film features new interviews with Vernon Jordan, senior managing director of Lazard, Freres & Co. LLC.; Cathy Hughes, CEO and founder of Urban One; Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox and chairman of VEON; Ken Frazier, chairman, president and CEO of Merck & Co., Inc.; Richelieu Dennis, founder, CEO and executive chairman of Sundial Brands; Robert F. Smith, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Managing Partners, LLC; Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., CEO of Black Enterprise; and John Rogers, CEO and founder of Ariel Investments.
As a capitalist system emerged in the United States, African Americans found ways to establish profitable businesses in numerous industries, including financial services, retail, beauty, music and media. Boss: The Black Experience in Business brings viewers on a journey from the end of Reconstruction through the present, tracing the emergence of a stable black business community alongside the greater struggle for civil rights.
PBS at the Palace is a free, monthly film screening series hosted at the downtown venue, the Palace Theater. Made possible through a partnership with the Palace Theater, this screening series features PBS content from MASTERPIECE to American Experience, POV and Independent Lens and provides a free monthly opportunity for viewers to enjoy programming in a unique Chattanooga venue. Hosting events from comedy nights to cabarets, Chattanooga Palace Theater has become one of the city’s most interesting venues. Visit www.chattpalace.com for a schedule of events.
Guests at the free screening will enjoy PBS resources and learn about special membership opportunities. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concessions will be available for purchase. Seating is limited and tickets are available online at http://tinyurl.com/y4x67r5w.
RISE, formerly Jazzanooga, will partner with WTCI, the Urban League of Chattanooga and the City of Chattanooga Office of Multicultural Affairs to host this event and the discussion panel. RISE (Responsive Initiatives for Social Empowerment) is a new name reflective of the work Jazzanooga has done to serve the people, communities, and the city since its beginning as a Jazz festival. Hundreds of students and thousands of community members have been engaged and inspired by history, music, social empowerment and the spirit of Chattanooga through their efforts.
This screening event will be presented as a part of the community-wide Remake Learning Days Across America Chattanooga initiative. This community-wide celebration of education includes almost 200 events around the region with themes that support learning. Event listings and information are available at www.remakelearningdays.org.