Culture Series: Leadership Without Titles (Film Showcase)

In this Culture Series, we showcase three short films while asking the question: What defines a community leader—and who gets to decide?

HumanitiesDC Present Culture Series: Leadership Without Titles, a film showcase that brings together three documentaries produced through the Community Voice Lab at American University — Kil and the Kids, Street Reporter, and We Rock! — that spotlight everyday people turning challenges into connection, creativity, and change across Washington, DC.

From a mentor supporting youth in a high violence neighborhood, to a woman reclaiming her life as a community journalist after experiencing homelessness, to a young professional finding courage and belonging through music, these films expand how we define leadership.

The program will feature three short film screenings followed by a post discussion with the filmmakers, centered on our bold question: What defines a community leader and who gets to decide?

Join us for an evening of film, conversation, and reflection that invites us to reconsider where leadership lives, and how communities rise when everyday people show up.

 

Register here.

 

More About the Curator: The Community Voice Lab at American University produces social impact films that amplify untold stories, ignite dialogue and spur action toward a more empathetic, generous and just world. Centered on our creative ethos of collaboration rather than extraction, our emerging filmmakers and seasoned film faculty work together with local storytellers to honor the ordinary heroes shaping the heart of our nation’s capital. Community Voice Lab films uplift stories of hope, resilience, and determination for the common good.

Culture Series: Comedy Across the River

In this special Culture Series, we ask who gets to laugh together, and what is lost when communities east of the Anacostia are left out?

 

HumanitiesDCPresents Culture Series: Comedy Across the River explores the stand-up scene east of the Anacostia and the lack of performance spaces in Wards 7 and 8. Comedians have long brought people together through laughter while making difficult conversations more accessible. But what happens when the artists behind those voices are left without places to develop their craft?

Inspired by C. Darren Thompson’s AFRO article, “Comedy East of the Anacostia Is No Laughing Matter,” the program features three performers sharing their experiences growing up in a city with a deep comedic history, while lacking access to venues to watch, learn, and perform comedy.

The evening will begin with stand-up performances from our featured comedians, followed by a panel discussion centered on the bold question: Who gets to laugh together, and what is lost when communities east of the Anacostia are left out?

If you’ve ever wondered who gets to be heard in the city, join us as we open the conversation right here in Anacostia!

Register here.

 

More About the Curator: Clyde Darren Thompson is a Navy Veteran, eighth-generation Washingtonian, stand-up, sketch, and improv comedian, and community busy body. He teaches improv comedy for the Armed Services Arts Partnership, serves as a Board Member for Washington Improv Theater, and is the Founder of the East River Dog Park Group. He most often performs improv comedy with his troupe, Baggage Claim, and sketch comedy with his team, The RENS. He is a proud alumnus of Prince George’s Community College, The University of Maryland at College Park, Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law, and The George Washington University School of Business.