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Led by a visionary composer and symphony conductor, Black musicians across the Pacific Northwest come together to create new traditions on Juneteenth.

Watch POV Shorts: SONGS OF BLACK FOLK, now streaming on @PBS.

Co-presented with LA Times Short Docs.

#POVShortsonPBS #POVonPBS #Juneteenth #BlackMusic #BlackArtists #DocumentaryFilm #PBS

SONGS OF BLACK FOLK

Just a week away from @docnycfest - come see us in the SHORTLIST SHORTS: SPEAKING UP program!

TICKETS IN BIO!

Thank you @seattleblackfilmfest !!!

Thank you @seattleblackfilmfest !!!

BLACK JOY. BLACK FREEDOM. ✨

We gathered at @DCTVNY for a powerful afternoon celebrating two films from POV Shorts Season 8: @songsofblackfolkdoc and @thepeoplecouldfly_film. Together, the films spotlight Black musical expression, cultural gathering spaces, and the ways joy and resistance live in community.

Thank you to moderator Kelli Cooper (@juneteenth.ny) and panelists including filmmakers Imani Dennison (@imaninikyah), Justin Emeka (@jemeka1), as well as film participant skaters Laneisha Beasley (@neisha_427), and Markice Armstrong for sharing their stories, insights, and an unforgettable rollerskating demo that brought the spirit of the films into the room.

Shoutout to @thepastryboxbakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the East Village in 20 years, for the sweets and for helping make the afternoon even more special.

Grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Black creativity, community, and freedom.

#AmericanDocumentary #POVShortsonPBS #Documentary #BHM #BlackJoy

BLACK JOY. BLACK FREEDOM. ✨

We gathered at @DCTVNY for a powerful afternoon celebrating two films from POV Shorts Season 8: @songsofblackfolkdoc and @thepeoplecouldfly_film. Together, the films spotlight Black musical expression, cultural gathering spaces, and the ways joy and resistance live in community.

Thank you to moderator Kelli Cooper (@juneteenth.ny) and panelists including filmmakers Imani Dennison (@imaninikyah), Justin Emeka (@jemeka1), as well as film participant skaters Laneisha Beasley (@neisha_427), and Markice Armstrong for sharing their stories, insights, and an unforgettable rollerskating demo that brought the spirit of the films into the room.

Shoutout to @thepastryboxbakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the East Village in 20 years, for the sweets and for helping make the afternoon even more special.

Grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Black creativity, community, and freedom.

#AmericanDocumentary #POVShortsonPBS #Documentary #BHM #BlackJoy

BLACK JOY. BLACK FREEDOM. ✨

We gathered at @DCTVNY for a powerful afternoon celebrating two films from POV Shorts Season 8: @songsofblackfolkdoc and @thepeoplecouldfly_film. Together, the films spotlight Black musical expression, cultural gathering spaces, and the ways joy and resistance live in community.

Thank you to moderator Kelli Cooper (@juneteenth.ny) and panelists including filmmakers Imani Dennison (@imaninikyah), Justin Emeka (@jemeka1), as well as film participant skaters Laneisha Beasley (@neisha_427), and Markice Armstrong for sharing their stories, insights, and an unforgettable rollerskating demo that brought the spirit of the films into the room.

Shoutout to @thepastryboxbakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the East Village in 20 years, for the sweets and for helping make the afternoon even more special.

Grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Black creativity, community, and freedom.

#AmericanDocumentary #POVShortsonPBS #Documentary #BHM #BlackJoy

BLACK JOY. BLACK FREEDOM. ✨

We gathered at @DCTVNY for a powerful afternoon celebrating two films from POV Shorts Season 8: @songsofblackfolkdoc and @thepeoplecouldfly_film. Together, the films spotlight Black musical expression, cultural gathering spaces, and the ways joy and resistance live in community.

Thank you to moderator Kelli Cooper (@juneteenth.ny) and panelists including filmmakers Imani Dennison (@imaninikyah), Justin Emeka (@jemeka1), as well as film participant skaters Laneisha Beasley (@neisha_427), and Markice Armstrong for sharing their stories, insights, and an unforgettable rollerskating demo that brought the spirit of the films into the room.

Shoutout to @thepastryboxbakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the East Village in 20 years, for the sweets and for helping make the afternoon even more special.

Grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Black creativity, community, and freedom.

#AmericanDocumentary #POVShortsonPBS #Documentary #BHM #BlackJoy

BLACK JOY. BLACK FREEDOM. ✨

We gathered at @DCTVNY for a powerful afternoon celebrating two films from POV Shorts Season 8: @songsofblackfolkdoc and @thepeoplecouldfly_film. Together, the films spotlight Black musical expression, cultural gathering spaces, and the ways joy and resistance live in community.

Thank you to moderator Kelli Cooper (@juneteenth.ny) and panelists including filmmakers Imani Dennison (@imaninikyah), Justin Emeka (@jemeka1), as well as film participant skaters Laneisha Beasley (@neisha_427), and Markice Armstrong for sharing their stories, insights, and an unforgettable rollerskating demo that brought the spirit of the films into the room.

Shoutout to @thepastryboxbakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the East Village in 20 years, for the sweets and for helping make the afternoon even more special.

Grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Black creativity, community, and freedom.

#AmericanDocumentary #POVShortsonPBS #Documentary #BHM #BlackJoy

BLACK JOY. BLACK FREEDOM. ✨

We gathered at @DCTVNY for a powerful afternoon celebrating two films from POV Shorts Season 8: @songsofblackfolkdoc and @thepeoplecouldfly_film. Together, the films spotlight Black musical expression, cultural gathering spaces, and the ways joy and resistance live in community.

Thank you to moderator Kelli Cooper (@juneteenth.ny) and panelists including filmmakers Imani Dennison (@imaninikyah), Justin Emeka (@jemeka1), as well as film participant skaters Laneisha Beasley (@neisha_427), and Markice Armstrong for sharing their stories, insights, and an unforgettable rollerskating demo that brought the spirit of the films into the room.

Shoutout to @thepastryboxbakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the East Village in 20 years, for the sweets and for helping make the afternoon even more special.

Grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Black creativity, community, and freedom.

#AmericanDocumentary #POVShortsonPBS #Documentary #BHM #BlackJoy

The Songs of Black Folk choir has preformed in more places then you may know. they took the field at T-Mobile Park in Seattle during MLB All-Star Weekend, performing at the inaugural HBCU Swingman All-Star Game on July 7, 2023 — a powerful celebration of Historically Black Colleges & Universities.

In honor of Black History month You can catch the documentary at @mopopseattle on 2/7or @dctvny 2/15 or See the choir LIVE at the Federal Arts Performing Arts Center on 2/14

Legacy. Culture. Sound that moves generations.

@songsofblackfolkdoc @songsofblackfolk

Thrilled to share @songsofblackfolkdoc will be screening at the ICONIC @mopopseattle on Feb 7th JUST ONE WEEK before the @songsofblackfolk performance on Feb 14th at the Federal Way performing Arts Center.

SEATTLE if you haven’t been able to see this story behind the incredible SONGS OF BLACK FOLK performance then there is No better way to see the film - at MoPOP (museum of pop culture). Join us Feb 7th to celebrate Black History Month and local Music.

Free for MoPop members, WA residents discounts. Tickets and Info available at MoPOP.org (link in bio)

@povdocs @amdocdocumentary @latimes @latimesdocs @songsofblackfolk @maestrobrax @pastorlesliebraxton @nonfictionhotlist

#mopop

Check out the latest with @jemeka1 in the Oberlin Review! LINK IN BIO!

JUST ANNOUNCED: 🏆 Winner of the SFCS PNW Short Film Award, 'Songs Of Black Folk' immediately registered on Thomas's radar upon its premiere earlier this year at Tribeca Film Festival, leading to this fantastic interview with the co-directors. Full conversation can be found on YouTube, just YouTube search: "Songs of Black Folk ForReel'. The film is also available on YouTube.

Congratulations to 'Songs of Black Folk' and all PNW Short Film Award nominees 👏👏👏👏

@jemeka1 @haleylwatson @beingtsj @tribecafilmfestival @seattlecritics

JUST ANNOUNCED: 🏆 Winner of the SFCS PNW Short Film Award, 'Songs Of Black Folk' immediately registered on Thomas's radar upon its premiere earlier this year at Tribeca Film Festival, leading to this fantastic interview with the co-directors. Full conversation can be found on YouTube, just YouTube search: "Songs of Black Folk ForReel'. The film is also available on YouTube.

Congratulations to 'Songs of Black Folk' and all PNW Short Film Award nominees 👏👏👏👏

@jemeka1 @haleylwatson @beingtsj @tribecafilmfestival @seattlecritics

This music is rooted in Black history. Now it’s paving the way for future generations of Black artists.

“Songs of Black Folk” is a Los Angeles Times Short Doc about a groundbreaking Juneteenth concert in the Pacific Northwest that tells the story of Black music and tradition. For conductor Ramón Bryant Braxton and his uncle, the Rev. Leslie Braxton, it was also an opportunity to carry their family’s legacy forward.

Directed by @haleylwatson and @Jemeka1
Co-presented with @povdocs

Scenes from last night’s L.A. Times Short Docs #FYC screening where three films were spotlighted from this year’s slate: “Arctic Alchemy,” “Songs of Black Folk” and “All the Walls Came Down.”

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the films and the teams behind them! Appreciation to @latimes film editor Joshua Rothkopf for moderating a lively Q&A with directors @onditimoner, @zeppelinzeerip, @colin_arisman and producer @_hiphopfiend.

Special thanks to @bgproudfoot for his recorded remarks and continued support of @latimesdocs.

Watch these films and the full slate at latimes.com/shortdocs.

Scenes from last night’s L.A. Times Short Docs #FYC screening where three films were spotlighted from this year’s slate: “Arctic Alchemy,” “Songs of Black Folk” and “All the Walls Came Down.”

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the films and the teams behind them! Appreciation to @latimes film editor Joshua Rothkopf for moderating a lively Q&A with directors @onditimoner, @zeppelinzeerip, @colin_arisman and producer @_hiphopfiend.

Special thanks to @bgproudfoot for his recorded remarks and continued support of @latimesdocs.

Watch these films and the full slate at latimes.com/shortdocs.

Scenes from last night’s L.A. Times Short Docs #FYC screening where three films were spotlighted from this year’s slate: “Arctic Alchemy,” “Songs of Black Folk” and “All the Walls Came Down.”

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the films and the teams behind them! Appreciation to @latimes film editor Joshua Rothkopf for moderating a lively Q&A with directors @onditimoner, @zeppelinzeerip, @colin_arisman and producer @_hiphopfiend.

Special thanks to @bgproudfoot for his recorded remarks and continued support of @latimesdocs.

Watch these films and the full slate at latimes.com/shortdocs.

Scenes from last night’s L.A. Times Short Docs #FYC screening where three films were spotlighted from this year’s slate: “Arctic Alchemy,” “Songs of Black Folk” and “All the Walls Came Down.”

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the films and the teams behind them! Appreciation to @latimes film editor Joshua Rothkopf for moderating a lively Q&A with directors @onditimoner, @zeppelinzeerip, @colin_arisman and producer @_hiphopfiend.

Special thanks to @bgproudfoot for his recorded remarks and continued support of @latimesdocs.

Watch these films and the full slate at latimes.com/shortdocs.

The Los Angeles Times short doc “Songs of Black Folk” is about how Black music, tradition, and personal resilience come together through a Juneteenth concert led by a conductor carrying both the weight of history and his own family’s legacy.

In this “Breaking Down a Scene,” co-directors Justin Emeka and Haley Watson walk through the opening of the performance: a stage packed with musicians and 30-piece orchestra, all led by conductor Ramòn Bryant Braxton and his uncle, Rev. Leslie Braxton.

From 54 drop mics to specialty audio rigs capturing every breath and bow stroke, Watson and Emeka worked to preserve the authenticity and soul of the music as it happened live.

What the audience didn’t know that night was that while preparing for the concert, Ramòn was also facing the final days with his grandmother — the woman who pushed and inspired him to be a musician.

Co-presented with POV.

Directed by @haleylwatson and @jemeka1