Underground History Screening and Panel Discussion
Underground History is a documentary film project designed to explore connections between the St. Petersburg’s diverse cultural history and emerging community efforts to acknowledge that past in charting the future. The project considers the links between the history and remaining archeological sites of the region’s Indigenous Ancestors, the displaced contemporary African American communities and erased black cemeteries and historic waterways which once created a connectivity for these places and people. Underground History poses the question, if a community fully acknowledge its past, can it develop a deeper sense of place and a better vision for the future?
The film screening and community discussion will present a work-in-progress documentary and gather feedback from the audience about the film. The event will provide an opportunity for discussion with the filmmakers and project advisors, as well as exploration of ideas for on-going engagement in community efforts around St. Petersburg’s history, archeology, and cultural heritage.
Funding for the Underground History program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding support is also provided through a grant from the St. Petersburg Art Alliance and the St. Petersburg’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
Scholars and presenters:
- Polita Glynn and Devin Rice, Filmmakers
- Robert Austin, Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education, (AWIARE).
- John Arthur, PhD, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida.
- Thomas Hallock, Ph.D., Professor, English, Literature & Cultural Studies, University of South Florida.
- Antoinette Jackson, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology and Director, Heritage Research Lab, University of South Florida.
- Ms. Gwendolyn Reese, President African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg.
- Wanda Stuart, Storyteller and Community Activist
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