Documentary revisits Carl Stokes' groundbreaking political legacy
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Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes in 1968. Photo: Courtesy of Corbis Historical via Getty Images
Perhaps the most definitive documentary yet detailing the impact of Cleveland political trailblazer Carl Stokes could hit screens later this year.
Why it matters: Stokes became the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city when he was elected mayor of Cleveland in 1967.
- His victory and legislative work paved the way for future Black leaders around the country.
State of play: "Stokes' Dilemma" showcases Stokes' campaign to become mayor, plus his attempts to fight poverty and ease racial tension during the Civil Rights Movement.
- The film, which is in post-production, features an abundance of archival footage as well as interviews with various local and national civil rights leaders and journalists.
Between the lines: The documentary is the brainchild of Joy Roller, a veteran TV producer and fundraising strategist who has held leadership roles with Gordon Square Arts District, Global Cleveland and Karamu House.
- Her co-director on the project is Atlanta-based filmmaker Kai Lendzion.
What they're saying: "This is such an important story to tell," Lendzion tells Axios.
- "What drew me to the project is the importance of Carl Stokes and how so many people still don't know who he was as a pillar of the Black movement."
The intrigue: The "Dilemma" in the film's title refers to Stokes' efforts to become mayor while finding a middle ground between the different factions within the Civil Rights Movement.
- "You had the pacifist way led by Martin Luther King Jr. and you had Black nationalism," Roller says. "Carl Stokes took a third way by balancing the two into a Black political movement."
Zoom in: "Stokes' Dilemma" highlights how he paved the way for the elections of Black mayors like Maynard Jackson (Atlanta), Tom Bradley (Los Angeles) and Coleman Young (Detroit).
- Yes, but: It also doesn't shy away from how the 1968 Glenville Shootout slowed his momentum.
What's next: Roller says the documentary is two-thirds finished, but fundraising is key.
- She will be scheduling special work-in-progress screenings in the coming months to help raise around $400,000 to finish the project.
Fans can support "Stokes' Dilemma" through the film's website.