Hundreds of movie-goers attended “The Color of Color” film. —Dena Porter 
“The Color of Color” film is about how Pepsi-Cola broke corporate color barriers. —Dena Porter 
National Urban League’s Marc Morial spoke about how marketing of Pepsi-Cola was targeted to African-Americans. —Dena Porter 
Pepsi-Cola increased their marketing of the soda to the African-American community by hiring salesman who brought the product to urban centers in U.S. —Dena Porter 
Ad campaigns helped sell Pepsi-Cola to African-Americans in the 1950s. —Dena Porter 
Fencers and creators of the film “Untouchables” Sabbuur “Saki” Ikhlas and Matthew Brewster were warmly welcomed at the Performing Arts Center. —Dena Porter 
The St. Benedict’s Prep fencing team was viewed by rival schools as formidable under Coach Derrick Hoff’s leadership. —Dena Porter 
From “Untouchables”: St. Benedict’s Prep fencer and three-time Olympian Keeth Smart was the first American fencer ever ranked number one in the world. —Dena Porter 
“Untouchables” film director Sabbuur Saki Ikhlas and producer Matthew Brewster spoke about their experience on a fencing team. —Dena Porter 
PBS’s American Masters documentary series presented a new documentary about the life and career of W.E.B. Du Bois. —Dena Porter 
Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance, Karida Brown, film director Rita Coburn, and moderator Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey were welcomed to the stage. —Dena Porter 
Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance narrated the two-volume biography of W.E.B. Du Bois written by David Levering Lewis. —Dena Porter 
The film “Soul Patrol” is about African American soldiers’ experiences during and after the Vietnam War. —Dena Porter 
Henry Louis Gates, professor and moderator, dialogued with former Secretary of State John Kerry and “Soul Patrol” film director Jason (“J. M.”) Harper after the film. —Dena Porter 
“Soul Patrol,” directed by James (“J.M.”) Harper. —Dena Porter 
A new documentary about the life and career of neo-expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the featured films at the African American Film Festival. —Dena Porter
The renowned Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF), now in its 24th year of presenting important works of independent and established Black filmmakers, wrapped up over the weekend.
Movies were shown daily from August 7 through 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center and consistently drew large crowds.
The Oscar-qualifying film festival is one of the country’s leading showcases for Black storytelling, bringing together award-winning filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences for nine days of screenings, conversations, networking, and cultural celebration on the Island.
The culmination of the festival took place on Saturday and included a final trove of shorts and movies as well as a party at Nomans in Oak Bluffs, placing the Island once again at the center of the celebration of Black excellence in film.
