Upcoming documentary titled and based on the bestselling book
A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, MI
by Dr. Todd E. Robinson

A City
Within A City

An upcoming documentary titled and based on the bestselling book A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, MI by Dr. Todd E. Robinson

A City
Within
A City
About

Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator, in partnership with Grand Stand Pictures

seeks to film a 90-minute documentary that depicts the ways Black Grand Rapidians have encountered and resisted structural racism & gatekeeping. Although this doctoral dissertation has enjoyed endless reprints, we need to break it down so more people can access this revolutionary way of telling our story.

Concepts like “managerial racism,” “benevolent paternalism,“ and “progressive mystique” reveal the “man behind the curtain” in the long performance of Grand Rapids race relations. Stories of the Women’s Study Club (maids’ day off time for intellectual nourishment), Keith Theater segregation lawsuit (completely ignored by GR press but closely followed in Chicago), and Auburn Hills Development (4 Black businessmen buy 20 acres outside the designated Black belt for integrated housing) provide a counter-narrative to those usually promoted about Furniture City/Beer City.

This 3-time “All America City” boasts large structures named after Gerald Ford and Amway Corporation but offers not a plaque for Al Green or Floyd Mayweather.

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Goal

Our goal is to share this film
across the country

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Through commercial distribution, we aim to strengthen those experiencing similar shapeshifting forces in their own localities. The ingenuity, creativity, and sharpening inspires and educates all who hear the stories, providing paths forward for any mid-sized city like ours. Viewers will learn from the vocabulary, perspectives, and dismantling strategies in both the film and the accompanying curriculum for educators and civic groups.

We plan to press beyond typical documentary styles with our use of comedy, animation, paintings, community forums, and groundbreaking set design.

Drive

The project is fueled by
our community’s:

  • Ideas
  • Footage
  • Memorabilia
  • Stories
  • Support
  • Feedback
  • Promotion

Grand Stand Pictures is holding auditions in Spring of 2023 to bring on talented musicians and animators from the Grand Rapids community. See their website for more information.

Multiple groups have approached Dr. Robinson asking to create a documentary from his book, so they are beyond grateful that he has committed to participating in every stage of this project. One of Robinson’s mentors has also joined our journey—Dr. Randal Jelks, author of African Americans in the Furniture City: the Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids.

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Drive

The project is fueled by our community’s:

  • Ideas
  • Footage
  • Memorabilia
  • Stories
  • Support
  • Feedback
  • Promotion

Grand Stand Pictures is holding auditions in the Spring of 2023 for the community to participate in creating music and animation for the film. See their website for more information.
Multiple groups have approached Dr. Robinson asking to create a documentary from his book, so they are beyond grateful that he has committed to participating in every stage of this project. One of Robinson’s mentors has also joined our journey—Dr. Randal Jelks, author of African Americans in the Furniture City: the Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids.

Contact

Get In Touch

A City Within a City Film
info@grandstandpictures.com