“Madison is in a tremendous position to be a model city and I think when people see this film, they are going to realize an aspect of Black lives and Black involvement in this city that they weren’t aware of,” says Dr. Charles “Chuck” Taylor, producer of the new documentary “Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance.”
African Americans are leading in so many important areas in Madison right now, Taylor says, and are launching so many key initiatives that numerous people are calling this period a “Black renaissance.” For the past 8 months, Taylor has been interviewing key leaders in the African-American community and is now set to unveil his documentary “Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance” at the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater on Saturday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.
“Because of all of the activity that was happening in the Black community and the positions that Black people were acquiring, the historic election we had in Madison … all of these combined created this historical moment in Madison and I wanted to capture that moment,” Taylor tells Madison365. “I want to showcase the outstanding Black talent that we have in this city and also, hopefully, help the city understand when they make use of this talent, that everybody benefits.”
This film introduces viewers to some of Madison’s most prolific leaders in 10 different genres as they define what is happening in Madison and what it means to the city’s future. Taylor ended up interviewing 37 Black leaders for the film in the Madison area over the last 8 months.
“I sent out letters to most of the Black leadership in Madison asking them to nominate people and to give me reasons why folks should be included. I received tons of names,” Taylor remembers. “Even when I was interviewing people, they would say, ‘Well, you should interview this person, you should interview that person.’
“I originally had 16 people [in mind] that I was going to develop a film around their stories, but it ended up being 37,” he adds.
All of the interviewees were not in agreement that the Black Renaissance is really happening already.
“It’s normal to have a discussion about where we are at. Some people strongly believe that we are in a renaissance because of all of the activities that I’ve previously described. Others think it’s too early to tell,” Taylor says. “We sort of answer that question at the end of the film, so I don’t want to give that answer away. But I will say there is a mixed bag in terms of what people feel our real status is.
“Some people feel that until we center our policies and procedures around the most vulnerable people and integrate them into the economic mainstream, that we cannot call this a renaissance,” Taylor continues. “Others say, ‘Let’s wait. We’re making some really significant progress that we need to recognize.’”
Taylor is a former professor of education at Edgewood College and president of Roar Enterprises, Inc, consulting firm. For four decades he has been an author, speaker, educator and diversity expert … and filmmaker.
“This is, by far, the hardest project of my life. Without a doubt. I did a documentary 40 years ago, “Decade of Discontent: A Film on the Milwaukee Civil Rights Movement.” That took 9 months,” Taylor remembers. “But that was piece of cake compared to this because not only are you interviewing people that you lived with – so you want to get the story right – but there were so many people that I had to create stories within stories.
“So you’re going to see individual stories as they talk about what they are working on and what is important to them and what the significance is to our city,” he adds. “I’m hoping that I captured the essence of each person in the stories. It was a difficult task.”
There were many Black leaders from Madison’s past that have helped create the renaissance we see today and the documentary does acknowledges them.
“We do recognize some of the people who came before. We need to acknowledge that they cleared the field. The people who came before were responsible for these young leaders and these young leaders acknowledge that,” Taylor says. “In our closing credits we do acknowledge some of our ancestors and by ancestors, we mean those who made a commitment to Madison but had passed on. But this particular film is focusing on today’s leaders and you’ll see that many of them recognize the contributions those before them have made so they can be in this position.”
The excitement is building for the premiere of “Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance.” Taylor is anxious for the community to see his work, which, he says, has been 12-14 hours days since September.
“It was a lot of long hours, but I really enjoyed reconnecting with people that I’ve had long-term relationships with and hearing what they are doing. It became a labor of love. And I would do it again,” he says. “I’m so impressed with folks who are in leadership positions and I think it comes through in the film. I really want Madison to embrace this new leadership because these folks are visionaries. They have really clear ideas on how they want to help lead this community.”
The documentary is for ages 12 and up, but intended for adults. Taylor says kids “as young as middle school would certainly benefit from it.”
Saturday night’s “Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance” is a dress-up event. Suits, tuxes, dresses and gowns will be on full display as Madisonians come out to celebrate a unique moment in their history.
“For this world premiere I want the adult community to come out and really experience this historical moment,” Taylor says. “It’s Black History Month. It’s a recognition of where we are at as a Black community. It’s probably the most significant Black History Month event in Madison.”
“Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance” at the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater on Saturday, Feb. 26. For tickets, click here.
