PUBLICATIONS

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Feature Films

The feature films listed below, both completed and the works-in-progress, tackle themes such as racial discord in American communities, resilience, and the celebration of Black artistry.

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• Shadows of the Lynching Tree (2010, 60 minutes, director/editor)                                                                                     A reflective examination of lynching’s dark history in the United States, this film explores the physical and psychological remnants of these events in American memory.

• Lynchmorde in den USA (2012, 60 minutes, director/editor)                                                                                           The German-language adaptation of Shadow from the Lynching Tree. This film provides international viewers with a raw look at racial violence in the United States.

• July ’64: Roots of Urban Unrest (2004, 60 minutes, director/editor)                                                                           This documentary investigates the racial and social tensions that erupted in the Rochester, NY, riots of 1964, highlighting the systemic issues leading to urban unrest.

• Get Up, Stand Up (1983 WXXI TV, 60 minutes, director/editor)                                                                                     An inspiring film focusing on the global fight for human rights, urging audiences to advocate for freedom and equality.

• In Motion: Amiri Baraka (1980, 60 minutes, director of photography, directed by Saint Clair Bourn)            This is a documentary celebrating the life and influence of Amiri Baraka, poet and activist, spotlighting his impact on Black arts and political movement.

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Short Films

Short films reflecting a dynamic exploration of social justice, cultural heritage, and the triumph of the human spirit.

•  Home, Access Denied (2022, 22 minutes, director)                                                                                                              This film confronts the issue of housing discrimination, exploring the impact of denied access to safe and affordable homes on individuals in Rochester NY and Monroe County.

• Yonder Come the Blues (2015, 30 minutes, director/editor-Collaboration, GEVA Theatre)                                        A tribute to the legendary Son House. This film examines how his music, and life shaped the blues genre and influenced American and Global culture.

• The Mountaintop (2015, 4 minutes, director/editor-Collaboration, GEVA Theatre)                                       Produced for GEVA’s production of American playwright Katori Hall’s The Moutaintop. The film encapsulates the intervening years between Dr. King’s death and the date the play is staged.

• Aftereffect (2013, 3:30, director/editor)                                                                                                                          Aftereffect is a public service announcement for the Rochester Coalition to Stop HIV. The coalition partners include the Monroe County Health Department. The PSA received top honors at the Alliance for Community Media's 2013.

• A Shadow from the Lynching Tree (2012, 10 minutes, director/editor)                                                                      This powerful film examines the dark legacy of lynching in America, exploring its psychological impact on generations within the Black community.

• Drum Major for Justice (2007, 30 minutes, director/editor)                                                                                                 A biography on the life of Minister Franklin Florence. This film examines his journey and advocacy for the civil rights of underrepresented people in Rochester New York.

• Oatka Trail (Choreography by Garth Fagan, 1979; film 2005, 14 minutes, director/editor)                          Exploring the history and natural beauty of the Oatka Trail, this film highlights the connection between nature, community, and heritage.

• Our Stories, Our Selves (2000, director/editor)
  This documentary gives voice to diverse personal narratives, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in understanding cultural identity and human experience.

• Touring Jubilee 1924 - Professional (1984, director/editor)                                                                                                A dance film collaboration with Garth Fagan. The film was acquired in 1985 by the Library of Congress.

• Earle Murphy’s Winter Olympics (PBS/WXXI, 1980, coordinating producer)                                                           A documentary produced for PBS that captures the triumphs and challenges of athletes competing in the Winter Olympics.

• International Summer Special Olympics (PBS/WXXI, 1979, V. Bachelor, producer,  videographer)              Produced for PBS, this documentary captures the achievements of athletes in the Summer Special Olympics, celebrating their dedication, sportsmanship, and the unifying power of sports.

• The Denise Hawkins Incident (1976, 30 minutes, graduate school, producer/director/editor)                                  A thought-provoking graduate project that delves into issues of racial and social tensions through a fictionalized account inspired by real events, highlighting the impact of these conflicts on individuals and communities.

• Let’s Be Little, Let’s Be Big (1974, 60 minutes, graduate school, producer/director/editor)                                      An educational short film from Eison’s graduate studies, focusing on childhood imagination and development, encouraging viewers to appreciate the innocence and creativity of early youth.

Work-in-progress (WIP):

• Strasenburg Planetarium Multimedia Collaboration
  Developing a large-scale multimedia presentation on a 90ft x 70ft planetarium dome in collaboration with the Rochester Museum & Science Center and Garth Fagan Dance. The project, Origin, reimagines a Smithsonian-featured Disney tribute using cutting-edge star projection technology to combine dance, music, and immersive visuals. This innovative narrative explores the interconnectedness of life and the cosmos, enhanced by a compelling musical score featuring works by Hans Zimmer and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

• July ’14 Project, 2014 (A Charge to Keep I Have)​                                                                                                          Feature film that captures the violent phenomenon of mounting domestic terrorism in the form of mass shootings.  Mass murder with firearms has become a drearily familiar aspect of US life that has escalated in a horribly racialized manner as disaffected, mostly white, males now openly cite racial hatred as their motivation for mass murder by gun. No one is now safe in what were once the most innocuous and inviolate of venues—schools, churches and synagogues. Yet newspaper headlines and TV broadcasts fail to engage meaningfully as they report on body counts and flash photos of assailants’ arsenals as they were narrating a video game and indulge in tangential speculation about shooters’ mental state instead of recognizing the illness in question as a broader cultural one that has crippled our nation, not simply an individual or even his victims.  This film will force viewers to step outside such jaded perspectives to realize that this carnage is extremely abnormal behavior that is almost unknown elsewhere and is, in fact, a uniquely American phenomenon. The film will dramatically portray and dissect the placement of American racial tensions, culture, and politics that erupt ever more frequently. (Harriet A. Washington)

• Frederick Douglass Bicentennial (WIP, 2017–2019)
  This work in progress commemorates the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass, exploring his enduring legacy as an abolitionist, writer, and orator.

Television Series

• What's Next - A Teen Health Communication Video Campaign (2002–2004)
  A series of teen-focused health communication videos designed to address critical issues affecting adolescents. Key episodes include Angel of Mine, Looking Out 4U, and A Rose for Livvy, each tackling topics related to emotional well-being, mental health, and personal growth.

• Perfectly Clear (Public Affairs TV Series) (2000–2002)
  A public affairs television series aimed at exploring social issues and providing clarity on complex topics, from policy discussions to community initiatives. The show emphasized education, advocacy, and community empowerment.

• The Home Show (13) (1998)
  A lifestyle and home improvement series, focusing on practical advice for viewers on topics such as home décor, renovation, and family living. Featured segments included expert tips and hands-on demonstrations for everyday improvements.

• 27:40, WXXI (Weekly News Series) (1986)
  A weekly news series covering local, national, and international stories, offering in-depth analysis and feature reports. The series was known for its balanced and comprehensive approach to news delivery.

• 21 Review, WXXI (1984–1985)
  A cultural and arts review series featuring guest stars such as Keith Jarrett, Garth Fagan, Alan Ginsburg, Marcel Marceau, Wynton Marsalis, and Albert Paley. The program highlighted significant cultural events and personalities from the arts world.

• Que Pasa?, WXXI (1982–1983)
  A bilingual television series focusing on the Hispanic community, addressing cultural, social, and political issues relevant to Latino audiences. The show was a bridge for multicultural discussions, featuring interviews, news, and entertainment.

Television Commercials

• Garth Fagan Dance - 1980-present

• The College at Brockport - 1990

• University of Rochester - 1999

• SUNY Geneseo - 2000

• Clover Capital Management - 2001

• Messenger-Post Newspapers - 2001

• WXIR-LPFM - 2017

Commissioned Projects

• Rite of Spring, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra/Garth Fagan Dance– 2024

• City of Rochester fiberglass statues of Frederick Douglass, 10 life-size installed throughout the city - 2018

• Care for the Caregiver - 2002

• Elder Abuse Shorts Series (6) - 2001

• All About Ability - 1999   

• Ulysses: A Modern Odyssey - 1994

• Montage ’93 - 1993

• Literacy Volunteers/video - 1991

• Ralph Bunche Scholarship Fund - 1990

• Citibank Instructional Video - 1990

• KODAK Allen Processor - 1989

• The Challenge - 1988

• Frontline Music Festival featuring Harry Belafonte - 1988

• Global Carnival/ concert, Zimbabwe, Africa - 1988

• Chuck Mangione, concert, PBS/WXXI - 1986

• All American Party Rock, concert, PBS/WXXI – 1985

Printed Scholarship

• Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY Guest Essayist - 04/18/13                                                           "Shadow of the Lynching Tree," featured in Living Section​

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