FIRSTCLASS
FIRSTCLASS
Section Title
PRESERVATION OF A ENDANGERED SPECIES
FIRST CLASS
PRESERVES AN
ENDANGERED SPECIES
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history”
_Carter G. Woodson, 1926
America’s racial history is fraught with peril, hope, and frustration. The story that First Class uncovers intersects everyone’s lives in one way or another.
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For better or for worse, the current historical moment in which we are all living parallels human rights movements of the past. Therefore, there is much to be learned from this history. Shedding light on these untold stories of Black America, the long struggle for social justice, and the role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) played will inspire the next generation to press forward with tenacity and resilience.
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We’ve seen versions of this story before. But we have not seen HBCUs in this light and many of their stories remain untapped. HBCUs are akin to an endangered species and are on the cusp of their histories being erased. First Class will unlock the undiscovered and explore the history untold in a captivating and cutting-edge way that empowers the viewer to passionately pursue justice.
Producers
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Morgan McCoy
Actress, Writer, Director
Morgan can most recently be seen as Jesse in the Box Office Hit Harriet starring Cynthia Erivo and in the first season of Apple TV's Swagger. When not on a film set, Morgan travels the country using her unique storytelling abilities to bring to light historical truths and social justice issues. She earned APCA's Cultural Act of the Year Award and received a travel sponsorship from Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr. for her signature one woman-show Evolution of a Black Girl: From the Slave House to the White House.
Her production company MAM Inc. focuses on producing plays, films, and PSAs that advocate for the underserved, teach historic truths, and address mental, and physical health, and social justice issues. She's recently written and produced projects for the Richmond Symphony, Maymont Foundation, VCU, and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Morgan earned her B.A. in Theater Performance from Hampton University and her M.A. in Film Producing from Regent University.
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Dr. Danielle Wingfield
Lawyer and Academic
She earned her Ph.D. in education from the University of Virginia, her J.D. from the University of Richmond, and her B.A. in sociology and philosophy from the College of William & Mary. Professor Wingfield served as Of Counsel for The Child Advocate Law Firm, PLLC in Charlottesville, Virginia prior to returning to academia.
Her latest article, Movement Lawyers: Henry Marsh’s Long Struggle for Educational Justice, examines the strategies and approaches of lawyers in their struggle to overcome discriminatory laws, systems, and policies related to education. She is an Associate Director of national oral history projects, Teachers in the Movement, and the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Study.