Civil Rights Documentary Series

Our civil rights documentary project reflects our blending of arts and education through documentation. This series of curriculum development and documentary films on the civil rights movement is unlike the accomplished Eyes on the Prize in that it is a "how-to," rather than a "what-happened." These films will make civil rights ideas and strategies accessible to young people and encourage service to their communities. In short, they are tools to encourage citizenship in today's young people.

The first film in the series is The Children Shall Lead, a 34-minute documentary on the Freedom Riders of 1961. The Freedom Riders were a group of young people who risked their safety, even their lives, to help integrate the interstate transportation system in the South. This film, along with a companion website and curriculum program, is available free of charge upon request, with special emphasis on middle schools and high schools. You can contact us if you would like to use The Children Shall Lead in your classroom, or you can go to the film's website to request a copy.

Oral History Training

PieceWorks began our oral history training projects in Clarksdale, Mississippi, hometown of the Blues. Our staff has been training area young people to lead interviews and record oral histories, both on audio tape and on video. Together we will continue to document the history of the area, especially its civil rights era, in order to tell the stories of that community. In the process, we hope the young folks find encouragement and local mentors to guide them into positive civic involvement.

PieceWorks members have also been involved in oral history projects led by the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation in the communites of Neshoba County, Mississippi, and McComb, Mississippi.