DocuCourse

“Held & Healing” is now screening across the country.

"Held & Healing" is a powerful documentary that exposes how systems respond to trauma, addiction, and motherhood through one woman’s lived experience. It offers a bold vision for public safety rooted in healing, family, and community.

Screening Dates & Locations:
📍 Columbia University, New York — March 28
📍 Charlotte, North Carolina — April 17
📍 Asheville, North Carolina — May 7
📍 Kansas City — June (TBA)

Don’t just watch it. Experience it.

Did you miss the premiere of : Pregnancy & Prejudice? 🎥 This inspiring documentary follows Sherry "Mama Hakima" Payne as she advocates for Black maternal and infant health through Uzazi Village. Huge shoutout to director Avrell Stokes and the amazing crew who brought this vital project to life, along with supporters Health Forward Foundation and The Convergence Partnership. Download the PBS app to Stream for free and watch from anywhere!

📅 Don't miss this eye-opening broadcast that tackles health disparities and inspires community change!

The WABE News article highlights the growing crisis in rural maternity care, particularly for Black women, and the vital role of doulas in improving maternal health outcomes. This issue is central to DocuCourse: "Pregnancy and Prejudice," where we explore how systemic barriers disproportionately impact Black mothers. Like the Morehouse School of Medicine's rural doula program in Georgia, our documentary sheds light on efforts to address these disparities by providing personalized care and support.

These doulas, trained to guide and support women through the complexities of childbirth, are making a real difference in areas where access to quality care is limited. Their work reflects a broader movement to improve maternal health for Black women, who are often left vulnerable by systemic inequalities. Similarly, our documentary follows Hakima Tafunzi Payne and Uzazi Village, who work tirelessly to support Black mothers and address the inequities in maternal healthcare.

By tuning into "Pregnancy and Prejudice," you'll witness the powerful impact of community-driven solutions, much like those in the WABE News story, and understand why these stories matter. These initiatives are not just about healthcare—they’re about justice, equity, and ensuring every mother receives the care she deserves.

Join the conversation and be part of the movement for change. Visit DocuCourse.org to subscribe and learn more.

🎨 DocuCourse: Art and Advocacy dives deep into the transformative power of art within urban communities, showcasing the journey of Tot as she uses her artistic vision to uplift and empower her neighborhood. Through powerful scenes, the documentary highlights how Diosselyn's initiative, Urban Station, turns abandoned spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity, connecting youth with the tools to advocate for their community.

This film is a testament to the importance of intersectional art in the inner city—it’s not just about beautifying spaces, but about fostering unity, giving voice to the marginalized, and creating lasting change. Stories like these are crucial to tell as they inspire others to see the potential within their own communities.

Don’t miss out on these inspiring stories. Subscribe to our website at DocuCourse.org to stay updated and be part of this movement. Together, we can uplift communities through the power of art.

The Columbus Dispatch story on the Marysville Women's Art Project highlights the powerful role of art in changing perceptions about incarcerated women. Much like the women featured in DocuCourseDocuCourse: Bails & Bonds, this project emphasizes their humanity and the importance of telling their stories beyond their sentences.

Artists like Kirsta Benedetti and projects like this one are vital in showing how art can foster growth, connection, and redemption for incarcerated individuals.

Both initiatives show that art and advocacy go hand in hand to create lasting social change.

WAV - We Amplify Voices

The ABC News-affiliated WWAY TV story about the community quilt project at Cameron Art Museum perfectly parallels the themes in DocuCourse: Art & Advocacy. In the project, people of all ages came together to contribute unique squares to a larger quilt, symbolizing how art can unite communities and tell deeper stories.

Similarly, Diosselyn Tot’s journey in Art & Advocacy showcases how art transforms neighborhoods and empowers youth to advocate for change. Both initiatives highlight how creative expression is a powerful tool for connection and activism.

Join us in celebrating art's role in community building and advocacy!

WWAY TV Cameron Art Museum

The issues highlighted in the PBS WHYY article, such as the experiences of Erica Allen, executive director of the Do Care Doulas Foundation, underscore the critical challenges Black women face in maternal healthcare.

Erica's traumatic experience and subsequent founding of Do Care Doulas to advocate for Black mothers parallel the work of Tafunzi Payne and Uzazi Village, as depicted in our documentary "Pregnancy and Prejudice." Both initiatives work tirelessly to combat systemic racism and implicit bias, ensuring that Black mothers receive the care and respect they deserve.

Learn more and support our mission at bgtogether.org.

In a world where former prisoners face a labyrinth of obstacles, our latest documentary delves into their struggles and triumphs. "Returning & Redemption" follows individuals impacted by the justice system as they navigate re-entry with the help of community advocate Randy George. Their battles with trauma, addiction, and the quest for healing mirror the broader issues highlighted by GBH News. The article reveals how underfunded nonprofits like Justice 4 Housing, led by Leslie Credle, fight tirelessly to provide essential reentry support amidst insufficient government services.

These stories underscore the dire need for comprehensive support systems. Without stable housing, former prisoners cannot secure jobs, focus on mental health, or overcome substance use challenges. As highlighted by Leslie Credle, the lack of resources for these nonprofits leaves many struggling to rebuild their lives.

Our documentary and the GBH article together shine a spotlight on the urgent reforms needed to ensure that re-entering society is a path to redemption, not a revolving door back to incarceration.

📽️💔 Join us in advocating for change and supporting those striving to reclaim their lives.

🎨✨ DocuCourseDocuCourse: Art & Advocacy tells the inspiring story of Diosselyn Tot, who uses art to transform her community. Starting with murals in Kansas City, she created “Urban Station,” a studio for youth art and advocacy.

This mirrors a story found on NPR's WFYI the “Perceptions” exhibition by GANGGANG and Marion County Re-entry Coalition which highlights reentry experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals through art.

Such initiatives are crucial for fostering empathy, understanding, and social change. Art initiatives like these provide a voice to the marginalized, highlighting personal stories and struggles, and advocating for systemic change.

Celebrate the power of art in advocacy. Learn more and donate at bgtogether.org. 🌟