JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE Nationwide Watch Event And Virtual Panel Discussion Announced

Representative John Lewis of Georgia -- Freedom Rider and Congressman, Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, and conscience of the nation -- served the cause of social justice for decades, both as an elected representative and as a groundbreaking activist whose fervent belief in getting into "good trouble, necessary trouble" for the cause of racial equality changed our country.

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) invites audiences to join in a nationwide watch, in collaboration with more than sixty of the nation's arts and cultural institutions, of the riveting new documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble, which looks at the impact of Lewis' life and work. CAA audiences will be able to rent the film directly from Magnolia Pictures, then take part in a live virtual conversation about John Lewis' remarkable legacy.

The film celebrates Lewis' sixty-plus years of activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform, and immigration through rare archival footage and exclusive interviews with the late Congressman.

This special rental of the documentary includes two extra features: an interview Congressman Lewis gave to Oprah Winfrey shortly before his death earlier this year, as well as a one-hour panel, recorded in July, with the documentary's director, Dawn Porter, and two of Lewis' fellow original Freedom Riders, Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Dr. Rip Patton.

The film's $12.00 rental fee includes a $5.00 donation to the Cincinnati Arts Association.

After screening the film, audiences are invited to join a live, interactive online panel discussion about Lewis' history and impact on the social justice struggles of today. Panelists include Dawn Porter, the film's director; Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark, NJ; Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Professor of History, Race and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and Director of the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project; and Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who worked extensively with Lewis to establish the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The free virtual conversation takes place at 7:00 PM EST on Monday, September 21 on Zoom.

To rent the movie and register for the panel discussion, visit the Cincinnati Arts Association website at www.CincinnatiArts.org/John-Lewis.

The online conversation and coordinated effort amongst the country's performing arts centers is produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) of Newark, NJ.

This event is part of NJPAC's ongoing initiatives designed to offer both a greater understanding of current racial disparities and a forum for learning about the actions all citizens can take to advance the cause of equality.

"Everyone at NJPAC stands in solidarity with those fighting against structural racism, societal inequity, and police brutality, and for civil rights, multiculturalism and authentic inclusion. Changing the world requires the efforts of everyone. Now, more than ever, each of us has an indispensable part to play," says John Schreiber, NJPAC's President and CEO. For more information, please visit NJPAC's website at NJPAC.org.

"We are very pleased to join NJPAC and performing arts centers across the country in offering this important documentary and panel discussion to our audiences," said Steve Loftin, President, Cincinnati Arts Association. "Throughout history, the arts and culture have reflected and supported social change and civil rights, and it is our hope that this opportunity will add to the ongoing national and local conversation about equity, inclusion, and racial justice."

caa Season SPonsors: AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, FURNITURE FAIR, LOCAL12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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