African American Heritage Association Community Conversation with Tombolo Books: Underground History Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Merfolk Media Alliance, in collaboration with the African American Heritage Association Community Conversations, presents a screening of Underground History and discussion moderated by Ms. Gwendolyn Reese, President of African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg. Underground History is a documentary film designed to explore connections between St. Petersburg’s diverse cultural history and emerging community efforts to acknowledge the past in charting the future. The documentary considers the links between the history and remaining archaeological 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.

The film screening and community discussion presents a work-in-progress documentary. Audience members will provide feedback about the film and have an opportunity to discuss the project with the filmmakers and project advisors, as well as an exploration of ideas for ongoing engagement in community efforts around St. Petersburg’s history, archaeology and cultural heritage.

Underground History and related programming are funded in part through a Florida Humanities Broadcasting Hope Media Grant with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with WUCF. 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.