When the Band Stops Playing: The History, Struggle and Legacy of Morris Brown College: A Documentary
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Posted By: Rodgel Gilford on January 30, 2011 When the Band Stops Playing: the History, Struggle and Legacy of Morris Brown College: A Documentary The small campus of Morris Brown College once flourished with more than 25-hundred vibrant students eager to learn and become upstanding citizens, it now boast what some would consider a small high school graduating class of a few hundred. Morris Brown College over shadowed by fellow Atlanta University Center schools like Morehouse and Spelman College once a giant in its own right. Known in the world of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as the school with one of the “baddest bands in the land” and now known to the general public as the school that lost its accreditation. The History: MBC, steeped in both African-American History and lineage of African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in church basement in 1881. It’s still run by the A.M.E. Church, staying true to more than a century of Christian teachings and education. The church formed in protest of slavery, Morris Brown in an attempt to provide higher learning for blacks who at the time weren’t given the opportunity to earn even a fifth-grade education. The Struggle: Privately owned Morris Brown College was no stranger to money difficulties. Financial issues plagued the school throughout its existence, years of difficulties and alleged money embezzlement by President Dr. Dolores Cross and Financial Aid Director Parvesh Singh, during her tenure from 1998-2002 ultimately lead to the loss of its college accreditation and federal support. The culmination left the institution with an insurmountable amount of debt causing the school to shut its doors in 2002. The Legacy: Founded by blacks for blacks, Morris Brown College still holds to the same tradition of providing students the opportunity to earn a college degree specializing in leadership, entrepreneurship, technology and management based on Christian principles. “Haven for all hungry souls, Feeding them shall be Thy goal, Ever let thy banner be, Emblem of the brave and free, A welcome true to everyone, Until Thy work is done”, an excerpt from the Alma Mater is still the motto the institution stands by. Take a journey to a time in history where many blacks were denied the right to an education, the time when MBC thrived and became a premiere Historically Black College and University, a time of its downward spiral of financial struggles and its road to recovery. The purpose of “When the Band Stops Playing: the History, Struggle and Legacy of Morris Brown College: A Documentary”, is to bring awareness and history of Morris Brown College to the general public. To expose and explain the struggle and fall of the school and to build hope and raise funds to resolve its financial status to continue the legacy of higher learning among African-Americans. Potential Interviewers: Dr. Dolores Cross, current Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, current MBC President Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, Sr., Dr. Samuel D. Jolley, former President (1993-1997), Tom Joyner, Jesse Jackson former Board of Trustees Member, Dr. Gloria L. Anderson, current VP of Academic Affairs, Big Boi (of Rap Group Outcast), Caesar C. Mitchell, Atlanta City Council (Board of Trustees), Mrs. Tiffany Cochran Edwards, Journalist WXIA (Board of Trustees), MBC Alumni, current students. PRODUCTION COMPANY: REEL DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: RODGEL GILFORD (MBC ALUMNI) CO-PRODUCER/WRITER: STACY LLOYD (MBC ALUMNI) CO-PRODUCER/ARCHIVIST: TERRONCE "TJ" ESTELL (MBC ALUMNI) What We Need & What You Get We need $15,000 to complete and market this film. One hundred percent of the funds will go towards the production of this film. Expenses include travel, meals, accommodation, equipment rentals & purchase, music, graphic animation, titles, production, post production, marketing, film festival submissions, and so forth. Our industry professional production producers & crew will work at reduced rates in an effort to see this film to it's completion. We do have some limit resources to get thing started but need everyones help to complete this project in the highest quality possible. PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW TO DONATE: http://www.indiegogo.com/MBC Donations over $100 will receive a Collectors DVD copy of the film. All of the donators will be invited to a private screening premiere of the film in Hollywood or Atlanta. Other Ways You Can Help Please help in any way you can by twittering, mass emailing, facebook-ing and sharing with others about how they can contribute and bring this historic project into manifestation by using your wonderful social media resources. Any donation is truly appreciated! If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Rodgel Gilford
I, NBC/Universal Morris Brown College class of 1999 Member Since January 2011 |
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