University of Memphis law professor Daniel Kiel, one of Memphis City Schools' five appointments to the schools merger transition team, will next week be debuting his documentary film on the 13 children who integrated Memphis schools in 1961. Kiel and the merger transition team will of course be having their first official meeting on Thursday, but Kiel sends along this about a reminder of schools tumult from the past:
As many of you know, I have been working for some time on a project chronicling the story of the first graders who first desegregated the Memphis City Schools in 1961. The 50th anniversary is next week and with that, the movie will premiere (see below)!! I hope that you will be able to join us! This has been a fascinating experience and I'm eager to share it with our community.
What: "The Memphis 13" Premiere (Free and Open to the Public)
Where: Malco Paradiso
When: Tuesday, October 4th at 6:00pm
For more info and trailer: www.thememphis13.com
Here is how the project is described on the website:
First Grade Can Be a Scary Thing, Even Without the Burden of Making History
October 3, 1961 - 13 African American first graders broke the color line in the Memphis City Schools. The Memphis 13 is their story.
The documentary, to be released in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of this initial desegregation, features interviews with all 13 pioneering families and other key individuals - students, teachers, leaders - who lived through this historic time.
The trailer can be seen below:
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