Be

The Film: An Activist Romance Story

Be: A Raised Fist Mixtape Vol.1 is a feature-length documentary spurred by the passing of a local civil rights and hip hop activist, William “Silver B” Richards. Be: Vol.1 propels three Human Rights Activists to look backward and toward the future of the Activism movement in Cleveland, Ohio. With roots going back past the Cleveland Summit (Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Lew Alcindor),  Cleveland, Ohio has a rich and deep history of human, civil, labor, women’s, and the overall struggle for equality.

Examining three distinct periods in the City’s Human Rights Struggle: Boombox: The 80’s and 90’s (the rise and fall of Rap and the Civil Rights movement behind it)  Hope and Change: 2000’s (Yes We Can and Occupy), and #HASHTAG: 2012’s to Now (the I Can’t Breathe, BLM and Me Too Era).

Producing Be: Vol.1 are Award Winning Social Justice Activist Laura Cowan and former Best Documentary Winner (Sankofa Soul Food), Chris Kennedy. Bally Sports’ King of The Block Director Joddy Eric Matthews will direct.

Following the story of three Activists, Be: Vol. 1 looks at the sacrifices/successes they’ve made and the hardships that they still continue to face.

The Workshop: Get In Good Trouble

Alongside the film project, Be, we’re introducing our activist training workshop, Good Trouble, which invites participants to learn how to better spark change in today’s world. Geared toward both youth and adults, participants will develop skills through activities and practical lectures. This all-ages, workshop invites its participants to learn how to (in the words of the late Rep. John Lewis) “…make some noise and get in good trouble” during today’s Metaverse Era.

Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic… Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.

– Rep. John Lewis

Activism is the act of sparking change in your environment using societal or political pressure. Whether through hashtags, memes, viral videos, or social media challenges the Activist toolset is constantly evolving, and students will learn to grow alongside it.