September 28, 2009

Documentary on African-Americans at Purdue to premiere at Loeb

Drawing upon copious sources, including books on Purdue, newspaper archives, yearbooks and nearly 25 hours of personal interviews with black alumni, the movie begins at a time when black students were denied campus food and housing, were barred from campus social life, and banned from college sports. It records the subsequent decades of struggle, the on-campus protests in the 1960s and the steady progress over the years that accorded black students equal rights.

"To witness the transformation that both Purdue and its black population underwent over the years is inspirational and it makes us believe in the power of change," said Derek Fordjour, one of the documentary's two directors. "Having watched the movie, the audience will be left with a sense of hope."

This is the first time a movie has been made about African-Americans at Purdue, Fordjour said. The documentary is being jointly produced by Derek and Jamar Productions and the Purdue Black Alumni Organization.

"Taurus Richardson, former president of the Purdue Black Alumni Organization who had seen a project of ours entitled Black Sorority Project, contacted us," said co-director Jamar White. "After some initial interviews with black Purdue alums, it was clear there was a pretty amazing story here."

Although White and Fordjour - both residents of New York - never attended Purdue, they could empathize with the experience of being a minority, Fordjour said.

"As unique as Purdue is, it is also true in many ways it mirrors the experience at many major universities," he said. "We certainly know what it's like to be a minority in such a setting. We attended Pratt Institute in New York, a predominantly white institution. As a result we identify with the minority experience strongly."

Black Purdue features significant African-American Purdue alums like Frieda Parker Jefferson, a 1950 graduate who was denied on-campus housing and later won admission into the residence halls when her father approached the Indiana governor. It also includes interviews with Anthony Harris, a 1975 Purdue graduate who founded the National Society of Black Engineers.

"Black Purdue will play a monumental role in increasing public awareness of the achievements of Purdue African-Americans," said Renee Thomas, director of Purdue's Black Cultural Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. "The documentary highlights the history of Purdue from a black perspective and raises our awareness of the determination, fortitude and heart of the African-American community at Purdue."

The movie premiere is at 9 p.m. and is free to all Purdue students. Tickets are $5 per person for the general public and can be bought at the door or by going online to https://www.pbao.org

Purdue alumnus Leroy Keyes will lead a discussion panel immediately after the screening.

Writer: Soumitro Sen, 765-496-9711, ssen@purdue.edu

Sources: Gena Martinez, purdue@derekandjamar.com

Renee Thomas, 765-494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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