Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance Event

This Thursday, all are invited to Monona Terrace for a special screening of the award winning  “Leaders of Madison's Black Renaissance,” a film by Dr. Charles Taylor, Founder and CEO of Roar Enterprises.  

We are privileged to have award winning documentarian, retired professor, and author Dr. Charles Taylor with us for this insightful film and the discussion that follows.

The documentary captures a period in Madison’s history where Black people are leading in so many important areas and are launching so many key initiatives that people are calling it a “Black renaissance.” Trailblazers in many areas are focused on making Madison a better place to live for everyone. 

In this film, you’ll hear from those leaders—people like Kaleem Caire, founder of One City Schools; Will Green of Mentoring Positives, Sabrina Madison of the Progress Center for Black Women, Barbara Nichols, Camille Carter President of the Black Chamber of Commerce, Leotha Stanley of Musical-Lee Yours, Professor and artist Freida High Wasikhongo Tesfagiorgis, Corinda Rainey-Moore of the Foundation For Black Women’s Wellness,  Betty Banks of Today Not Tomorrow, Jonathan Gramling of Capitol City Hues and many others. They’ll share their experiences and keen insights into the Madison we all know and love; a Madison with a future shaped by these visionaries. 

I hope you’ll join us in experiencing that vision through Dr. Taylor’s film, and through a discussion with him to follow the screening. 

Thursday Night’s event will start with a Black Heritage Stamp presentation and unveiling featuring Civil Rights Pioneer Constance Baker Motley, followed by the film at 7 pm. 

The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion will lead a post-screening discussion with Dr. Taylor and a question-and-answer session with the community.

The event is free and open to the public (subject to venue capacity). 

Thank you to the Department of Civil Rights, The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion, the Monona Terrace, and the United States Postal Service for collaborating on this event.

Event timeline

• 6 p.m.: Doors open and Black Heritage Stamp Presentation 
• 7 p.m.: Leaders of Madison's Black Renaissance Film
• Post-screening: Q&A and Discussion

Parking

Attendees should park at the Monona Terrace ramp, located off of the John Nolen Drive entrance. Parking is available in the state-owned ramp attached to Monona Terrace. There is a flat rate of $5 after 5 p.m.

Resources: 

• Event link on Monona Terrace’s website
• Department of Civil Rights website
• Follow the Department of Civil Rights on Facebook and X