I’ve been thinking about what to share on this important day in United States history. Then it clicked, a reading of The Emancipation Proclamation. This one is by the good folks at NPR. Also, Junebug Productions released a poem from its iconic Gomel production. Written and performed by poet Sunni Patterson, “Black Back” is a beautiful piece of work everyone should watch. Before COVID-19 travel and social distancing restrictions, Junebug Productions was slated to showcase Gomela live in Brooklyn, NY, on Juneteenth in collaboration with 651 ARTS, Hi-ARTS, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The performance is now scheduled for June 2021, with more details forthcoming. “While we were unable to showcase Gomela live on Juneteenth as originally planned, it is my hope that the release and viewing of “Black Back” will inspire the healing and return of black love and black joy in America during a time that has been fueled by our continued fight for social justice and equality,” said Junebug Productions’ Executive Artistic Director, Stephanie McKee-Anderson. To learn more about Gomela, visit Junebug Productions online. You can also view a performance Sunni Patterson gave at TED here. She was accompanied by dancer Chanice Holmes. Banding Together Speaking of dance, with Broadway still shuttered alum Tavia Riveé conceived and directed this video of Black performers banding together to show off their moves in some of New York City’s most famous spots. The New York Times has also put together a collection of cultural institutions who are providing at-home opportunities to youngsters during the pandemic. If you can, …

Picking up a camera. Seeing what’s around you. Giving people a voice. These are reasons Robin Baker Leacock loves documentary film. Her latest project, Stella & Co: A Romantic Musical Comedy Documentary About Aging, first aired on PBS in May and was inspired by Leacock’s 103-year-old mother Estelle “Stella” Craig. The film follows the lives of Stella and eight residents (ages 75 to 105) at their independent senior residence. Thought-provoking, the documentary delivers a positive look at what it means to age in modern times through humor, music and storytelling. “My Mother influenced me in every way,” Leacock says. “Her zest for life, finding humor and creativity in every moment and her brilliance in conversation was all inspirational as well as fun. She was very career oriented and continued to write books until the age of 103 years young. In fact, when she passed on, she was just beginning her next book. But mostly she inspired me to give her a voice. As well as other seniors. They all have a lot to say.” Leacock grew up in Toronto, surrounded by artists, filmmakers and musicians. She married Robert Leacock, a second-generation documentary filmmaker and cinematographer. His father, Richard, helped create the cinéma vérité style and was a driving force behind the film program at MIT. Through paying attention to both her husband’s and father-in-law’s methods, Leacock found her own way as a filmmaker. Other films she’s directed and produced include It Girls, A Passion for Giving, Stella is 95 and I’ll Take Manhattan. Truly Seeing Our Elders Stella and …