Tonight in the Blackburn Center, students will get a chance to view a documentary entitled "Mr. SOUL! Ellis Haizlip and the Birth of Black Power TV". The documentary tells the story of the television series SOUL! And profiles its producer and host, Ellis Haizlip. From 1968 to 1973, SOUL! was the first, nationally telecast all-black variety/entertainment show to be produced and hosted by an African American.
Ellis Haizlip, a Washington, D.C. native, studied theatre arts at Howard University. The five-year story of SOUL! chronicles the beginning of the series to its end due to loss of funding. Melissa Haizlip, one of the films producers, co writers, and also the niece of Ellis Haizlip, believes it is extremely important for students to see this film.
"Students need to see Mr. SOUL! so they can know their own history and be able to tell their own stories. Like the legend of the Sankofa bird says: we must look back in order to go forward. Honor the source," Haizlip said. "Everyone in today's generation knows about Nas and Jay Z, but does everyone know who is credited for having started the art of the spoken word? The Last Poets are heralded as the Godfathers of Rap, and they had their first television performance on the SOUL! show, on October 24th, 1968". Umar Bin Hassan, one of the original Last Poets will be joining the festivities at the Blackburn Center. "That's not only making history, that's bringing history to life. We need more films out there that instill a sense of black cultural pride and consciousness," Haizlip said. Ellis Haizlip was inspired by his experiences at Howard. Once he matriculated, he went on to promote African American performing arts and culture.
Mr. SOUL! has received much praise, with screenings all over the United
States. "I just had visions that a movie like this will inspire young people. They have to see this so they can begin to understand that there is power in telling the truth," Congresswoman Maxine Waters said.
The message of the film, according to Melissa Haizlip, is that African Americans have the ability to empower themselves. "We did it then -- during the Black Power Movement -- with an unprecedented show that mirrored our beautiful, strong, truthful black culture, full of leadership and promise. We can do it again now, but we must know our history in order to get back to telling the truth and believing in ourselves," she said.
A panel discussion featuring Dr. Gregory Carr, Dr. Tia Tyree, Amelia Cobb Gray
and Howard University alumnus Christopher Cathcart will follow the screening.
Cathcart, who graduated in 1986 and was student government president from 1984-1985, is co-editing a book based on the HBCU experience. A portion of the proceeds from the Mr. SOUL! venture will contribute to the Ellis Haizlip foundation and scholarship fund. The scholarship is geared towards future
college students pursuing degrees in media studies, broadcast journalism and other similar disciplines.
During the event, please tweet and include #MrSoulHU.
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