Hope in the Struggle: The Life and Legacy of Josie Johnson PREMIERE: February 20, 2024 (subject to change) DESCRIPTION An inspiring reflection on the life and work of groundbreaking freedom fighter, civic leader, and community activist Dr. Josie Johnson, largely told in her own words from archival interviews over the years. Dr. Josie Johnson, at the age of 93, is one the of last Freedom Fighters still with us. With over 70 years of activism under her belt, the “First Lady of the Minnesota civil rights movement” has never been more relevant. Voting rights, fair housing, gender equity, access to quality education – these are many of the same issues still being fought for today. What does this mean for activists today? Where does she find hope and what guidance does she have for the next generation of freedom fighters who will experience their own failures and missteps? In this one- hour documentary, through the life and work of Josie Johnson, we will look at the past, present, and future of the civil rights movement, locally and nationally; and the accomplishments, setbacks, and work yet to be done in the context of recent police violence and the worldwide activism it has spawned. The multigenerational impact of Josie Johnson will personalize a history that many may feel they already know, offering a window into the real, day-to-day work of a movement and of those who have the courage to take it on every day of their lives.
Profe PREMIERE: Spring 2024
DESCRIPTION Profe (slang for profesora) is a one-hour documentary that delves into the historical and present- day struggles behind creating an equitable educational system for the Latine community in Minnesota. For this community, la educacion is the road to empowerment, identity, and self- determination. Although Minnesota boasts some of the best schools in the country, it ranks among the worst in the nation for graduation rates of BIPOC students. Schools are unable to find enough teachers who reflect the experiences of students, share their native language, and are culturally competent. What’s more, parents are struggling to support their kids both in academic achievement and emotional wellness. This character-driven film explores this complex ecosystem that has historically failed Latine students, while uplifting the educators, students, and leaders who are organizing for change and equity.
The Electric Indian PREMIERE: March 26, 2024 (subject to change)
DESCRIPTION The Electric India n follows the hockey legend Henry Boucha from early stardom to crushing defeat to healing. It is not about winning or losing — on the ice or in the courtroom; it’s about how he reclaimed his pride for his Ojibwa culture and people. The film by acclaimed director Leya Hale takes us from the river hockey games of Boucha’s youth at the northern tip of Minnesota to his rise to the U.S. Olympic Team and the NHL. But a horrific eye injury sent him spiraling into alcohol, drugs, and depression. Before he passed away in 2023, Boucha reflected on his upbringing in Warroad, his Ojibwa roots and history, his rise and fall due to a brutal eye injury, and the eventual redemption he found in his culture and traditions.
Students load the bus at the end of a school day at Academia Cesar Chavez in St. Paul
Air Wars: The Heyday of Local Broadcasting in Minnesota PREMIERE: Fall 2024 DESCRIPTION There was a time when people would stop what they were doing and watch the local evening news. Air Wars , from Hall of Fame broadcaster Cathy Wurzer and Twin Cities PBS, takes us back a half century to the heyday of Minnesota broadcasting in a vivid, fast paced, fun, and nostalgic new documentary. Rising in the 1970’s, with millions of dollars in revenue at stake, Twin Cities TV stations waged a pitched battle led by handsome, high-priced news anchors with futuristic technology and feel-good promotion to win over viewers. Dubbed the ‘air wars,’ this fight for broadcasting dominance certainly contributed to the sensationalism, stereotyping, and simplification of the news, but it also nudged forward innovation in journalism, diversity, gender balance, and the overall quality of content that was regarded as some of the best local broadcasting in the nation.
Photo Credit: Jaida Grey Eagle
Henry Boucha goes back on the ice in his home rink in Warroad, MN
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MPTA | TWIN CITIES PBS
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