The Green Book: Guide to Freedom A Documentary Film by Yoruba Richen

Photo1 (L-R) Rev. Cathy Bristow,  Melony, Yoruba Richen,  Adriane C. Smith at the Schomburg Center 

Photo 2 Herb Boyd 

The Green Book: Guide to Freedom 

A Documentary Film by Yoruba Richen

Last nite as the guest of award winning author, Herb Boyd, I attended a special viewing and conversation at the Schomburg Center of The Green Book: Guide to Freedom by filmaker, Yoruba Richen.  The film will premiere on the Smithsonian Channel on Monday,  February 25, 2019 at 8pm. 

I had brought a copy of Glory: A Life Among Legends by Dr. Glory Van Scott and before the program began, I caught a Herb glancing through the book with a smile.

It was interesting to watch the film which talks about  Victor H. Green, a Harlemite postal worker who (with the assistance of other postal workers) wrote and circulated the Green Book during the time of Jim Crow throughout the United States.  

The film focuses on segregation,  discrimination, and tell several stories including Nat King Cole being attacked  in Oklahoma by Klansmen on stage and the plight of other entertainers such as Sara Vaughn, etc., who could not eat or stay at the places they performed. 

It also discusses the prosperity that came with the auto industry and growing entrepreneurial ventures of AG Gaston from Birmingham, Al, the vacation resort  of Idlewild in Michigan and the rise of  African American Women in business.  

The Green Book was a directory of where African Americans could travel safely and have hotel accommodations throughout the United States.  But the truth is, it still wasn't safe and African Americans were often at risk.  It also discussed how integration negatively impacted successful African American businesses. 

I enjoyed watching The Green Book and highly recommend that You Watch it too.  For me it brought up the duality of African American life and the secrets many held from their children so unlike their parents, they  would not be exposed to the horrors of racism.  

 I met marketing guru, Adrianne C. Smith, Rev. Cathy Bristow (who happens to be from Pittsburgh, PA and her Uncle Earl Hord was one of my clients. We also Are Both One Spirit Seminary Graduates. Small World! ) reknown historian, Gene Alexander Peters( Sankofa Exhibit) many other interesting people.

The conversation  after the film  was moderated by Les Trent with Yuruba Richen, author Candacy Taylor ( a Green Book expert) and S. Marquette Folley  (Content Director,  Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition) with thoughtful comments and questions from the audience. 

#TheGreenBook: Guide to Freedom 

A Documentary Film by Yoruba Richen Will Premiere Nationwide on the #SmithsonianChannel on Monday,  February 25, 2019 at 8pm Est.

It Was a Great Evening! BRAVO  and Congratulations to All Involved! 

Always, Melony

#TheGreenBook, #SmithsonianChannel, #Yoruba Richen, #HerbBoyd, #SchomburgCenter,