Film Screening: Raise Your Head Up, a documentary by Richard Orton

A documentary by Richard Orton uncovering the history, resilience, and legacy of East Texas freedom colonies. Raise Your Head Up is an eight-year documentary project that traces the history and legacy of freedom colonies in East Texas—communities established by formerly enslaved African Americans after Emancipation. The film began with Richard Orton’s first visit in 1988 to the freedom colony of County Line in northwest Nacogdoches County and grew through decades of relationships with descendants from several freedom colonies, revealing stories of resilience, self-determination, and community building. The screening will include an introduction by Richard Orton, followed by a Q&A discussion after the film. This event is presented in partnership with Nacogdoches Historic Sites, the Nacogdoches Arts Collaborative, the African American Heritage Project, Friends of the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, the Summerlee Foundation, and Alex and Suzanne Labry. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required. Registration is available at Eventbrite.com. For assistance with registration, please call 936-560-4441.