Finding the Gold Within

Black Men in College - Challenges and Success

Will there be another documentary? How/What are they all doing now? Did those that started college finish? There are so many young men that struggle with academics or even getting to college, yet this group made it, and I hope they all were successful in keeping that prize (college degree) in sight, and walked away holding their degrees at graduation time!

With the Fall term starting this film is a MUST SEE! It would seem to be essential for African American men, but really for anyone interested in building a supportive campus community. The men in this film are incredibly brave, for the vulnerability they express as describe their experiences as young black men in college.

It's been a long time since I updated you about FINDING THE GOLD WITHIN last Fall. America has been engaged in the most charged conversation about race in decades. This has strengthened my commitment to continue to offer the film to a wide variety of audiences.

Our GOLD Outreach Campaign has been organizing screenings events at universities and college campuses nationwide, often with panels & discussions, sometimes with an appearance by one or two of the protagonists and/or filmmaker. The events have included film festivals, public high schools, a mental hospital, and special screenings for high school principals.

"This was one of the most impactful, inspiring, and riveting documentaries I have seen in a while, from the perspectives of young African-American teens/young adults as they overcome their adversities to achieve their dreams." –Horace Mullings Buddoo watching the film at Cinema Paradiso, Fort Lauderdale Art House Theater

For me the amazing experience "Finding the Gold Within" has added to my life started when Karina e-mailed us. Since then I have done and seen things I would have never imagined. Karina and all those who made that possible opened my mind to the point I have considered going places I wouldn't have dreamed about. During Q&A's we matter, the audience takes a genuine interest in our lives. That experience has added confidence and relevance to what I have gone through. When you stand before those people and you watch them relate, and wholeheartedly inquire about how an experience was for you, words cannot explain.

The film has also opened financial doors for me. Through seeing me on screen people have approached me to do MANY performances. Words cannot express my gratitude or the amount of power in the film, the Q&A, the trips to California, and Karina.

The last unexpected take-away was the genuine brotherhood established between myself and the other protagonists through travelling with the film. This bond is one we did not have in the circle of Alchemy. I can honestly say were it not for the film I may have never spoken to the other protagonists after high school. Now we share and communicate and check each other, and celebrate each other, and laugh and cry together, and we are forever changed through each other, and through our experience with the film. THANK YOU ALL!

Being able to travel through the production of "Finding the Gold Within" has been a blessing and eye-opening experience. By granting me the ability to travel to places I've never been and to experience cultures and traditions I've never seen gives me broader sense of culture in our country.

Being in the Q&As have helped me to see the perspective of those who reside within these cultures. From young children to experienced elders, we've received feedback on how our stories relate to their reality. It's a wonderful feeling to see how vocal the film is towards such a large span of people.

It has definitely opened my eyes to the consistency of hardships young black males endure in their daily lives.

It's benefited me through the networking opportunities offered to me through the events held for screenings of the film as well as the pure experience of traveling throughout our country. I've acquired knowledge and understanding of concepts I've struggled with like manhood and growth through conversations had with people seeing the film.

Through it all I’m most grateful for the traveling opportunities and pure cultural experience. Showing me another way of life, introducing me to traditions that have given me a better understanding of my own way of life, in turn changing who I will be forever. Words cannot adequately describe how impactful these events, resources, and settings introduced to me have been in my personal and professional life respectively.

What's kept me involved and interested is the impact I know it can have on communities in need. Through the first screenings I saw the impact this film would have, the places it would take me and the message within.

Traveling with "Finding the Gold Within" and participating in national dialogues has truly been a rich experience. The film has taken me to places and venues that I never imaged I’d be able to visit. It has allowed me to meet individuals that have had profound impacts on my growth and development. My communication skills, specifically upon sensitive topics, have also been enhanced. Above all, it has allowed me the opportunity to connect with and engage in beautiful discussions that help reduce the perception gap on race between audiences of various backgrounds.

A film that everyone, not just Americans, should watch. Karina has an amazing ability to draw an incredible level of honesty and openness from these thoughtful young black men. I feel I know the men and their stories and am left with a feeling of great respect despite the challenges they continue to face. I hope "Finding the Gold Within" continues to be viewed heavily around the world for many years to come.

I want as many people as possible to watch the film. Finally the nation is discussing the issues around young Black men more openly. I want the film to be part of this national discussion. I have very ambitious hopes for the film, to be part of this dialogue between all people, all races, young and old, we need these new conversations about racism.