WHAT IS THIS DOCUMENTARY ABOUT?
"Arizona’s Black American Barbers" takes viewers on a journey across Arizona, spanning urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and rural areas, exploring the narratives of 25 Black American barbers who have dedicated their lives to their craft and to their communities. Through intimate interviews, vivid imagery, and compelling storytelling, the documentary captures the essence of these barbershops as more than just places to get a haircut, but as sanctuaries of culture, resilience, and identity.
“Arizona’s Black American Barbers" addresses:
1. the relevance of Arizona’s Black American barbershops over the past one
hundred years,
2. the impact of non-Black owned barber and beauty services being
positioned in Black American communities, and
3. the future growth of Arizona’s Black American barbershop culture.
“Arizona’s Black American Barbers" is a compelling exploration of the rich tapestry of Black American barbershops and the individuals who inhabit them. Through this documentary, audiences will gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural, social, and historical importance of these institutions, leaving them with a renewed sense of connection and understanding
WHY AM I MAKING THIS FILM?
I am not a native Arizonan or "Zonie" as I was once called in San Diego. My birthplace was a very small, close knit Black American community on the Eastern Shore of Maryland named Pondtown. In Pondtown, like many small towns and communities of that era, families provided barber and beautician services in their homes.
I came to Phoenix in 1980 by way of Detroit, Michigan.
Having neither family nor friends here, I was a bit lost both literally and figuratively
My introduction to Arizona’s vibrant Black American community came via visits to Sublett's Barbershop on East Washington St. in Phoenix. Mr. Sublett educated me on the what’s what, where’s where, and who’s who in Phoenix.
After the movies “Coming to America”, “Undercover Brother”, the blockbuster franchise “Barbershop 1, 2 & 3” along with the many clones and spinoffs were released, I was surprised to learn that many of my colleagues and acquaintances, regardless of ethnic origin, could only relate to the Black Barbershop and subsequently Black American Barbers via the comedic images portrayed in mainstream media. Outside the actual barbershop environment, there seemed to be little, or no, specific knowledge of the social and cultural functions served by Arizona’s Black American barbers.
This fact-based documentary seeks to correct widely held misconceptions and distorted perceptions.
WHY AM I RAISING MONEY?
TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS!
We’ve already raised $22,500 of our $53,000 budget, including a $5,000 grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which helped us finish filming.
We are now in post-production and are seeking $30,500 for post-production, print and social media, legal fees and insurance, marketing, distribution and film festival fees.
Unlike many film funding campaigns, no donations go directly to me!
Your donations are processed through a secure third-party website managed by From the Heart Productions, LLC, our fiscal sponsor. Their top rated non-profit 501(c)3 designation guarantees every donation is tax-deductible and managed transparently.
Not only will you receive a charitable tax deduction for your donations, but we also offer meaningful rewards for your support - from social media shoutouts and early online screenings to special edition posters and digital copies of the documentary donated, in your name, to an educational institution of your choice, and even VIP invites to our exclusive premiere events.
TO DONATE SCAN THE QR CODE OR CLICK THE LINK
https://zumaonevisualarcheology.allyrafundraising.com/
Even if you cannot donate, you can still support us:
- Please share this campaign and documentary with your friends, families, and social media!
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
- Send us an email to join Zoom discussions with the Director.
We ARE SUPPORTED BY:
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Arizona Commission on the Arts
From the Heart Productions
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Arizona Informant Newspaper
Arizona Commission on the Arts
The Square PHX (formerly Heritage Square)
The Square PHX (formerly Heritage Square)
Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media (AFDM)
The Square PHX (formerly Heritage Square)
Tempe History Society (Tempe, AZ)
Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media (AFDM)
Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media (AFDM)
Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media (AFDM)
Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media (AFDM)
Arizona Office of Film & Digital Media (AFDM)
.