The screening of St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood will be held on August 22 at the Flint Institute of Arts Museum + Art School courtesy of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, in partnership with the Flint Institute of Arts. The evening will begin with a light reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 6:30 p.m., and a panel discussion will be held at 7:30 p.m. offering attendees the opportunity to delve deeper into the film's themes and historical context. 

St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood is a poignant documentary that sheds light on a once-thriving, Black neighborhood in Flint, Michigan. The film explores the impact of urban renewal and the construction of a highway that led to the displacement and erasure of the St. John Street neighborhood. 

"This film beautifully captures the resilience and spirit of the St. John Street community, which has long been an important, yet overlooked, part of Flint's history," said Mark L. Miller, Interim President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. "It is crucial that we recognize and honor the experiences of those who lived there, ensuring their legacy is not forgotten."  

This film is part of the Community Foundation’s narrative change efforts under the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT). TRHT is a community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change, and to address the history and contemporary effects of racism. TRHT work is focused on healing and building sustainable progress neighbor by neighbor to transform Flint so all children can have a brighter future. 

View the trailer for St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood here. 

The documentary was made possible through the generous funding provided by the Community Foundation, directed, and edited by Justin Brown, and featuring contributions from James Wardlow, Lara Grier Nkume, and Rodney Brown. This film is a testament to the power of storytelling, preserving history, and fostering community awareness.  

The Community Foundation looks forward to sharing this important piece of Flint's history with the community and engaging in meaningful conversations about Flint’s past, present, and future. 

For more information or to register for the event, please visit: cfgf.org/stjohnstreetfilm