Flint’s history is rich with stories of strength, innovation, and transformation. St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood, a documentary produced by iMichigan Productions, brings one of these stories to the national stage. WKAR will be the first station to air the film on Tuesday, February 4 at 6 p.m. and Thursday, February 6 at 10 p.m., with distribution expanding to PBS stations nationwide.
Restoring a Community’s Story
At the community premiere in August 2024, filmmaker Justin Brown discussed the significance of the film.
For decades, the St. John Street neighborhood in Flint was home to a thriving Black community. Families built lives, businesses flourished, and neighbors supported one another. “St. John Street was my home,” recalls former resident James Wardlow. “It was a vibrant, self-sustaining community of Blacks and immigrants… We had movie theaters, drug stores, restaurants, stores, homes, churches, pool halls—the whole bit. It was, in fact, a village.”
But urban renewal efforts and highway construction in the 1960s displaced residents and erased much of the neighborhood’s history. St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood ensures that this story is not forgotten. Through firsthand accounts and historical context, the documentary sheds light on the impact of displacement and the strength of those who once called St. John Street home.
Advancing Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation
The Community Foundation supported this project as part of its commitment to narrative change—ensuring that stories of historically marginalized communities are told with dignity, truth, and power. This documentary is not just about looking back; it is about honoring a community’s legacy and fostering healing.
“Seeing the film come together means a lot,” Wardlow shared. “It brought back those memories of growing up with my buddies, spending the night at each other's houses… Now, I feel that we have the opportunity to go back and elicit those memories from my members of the Historical Committee and other people from St. John Street. They're all excited. They're all reliving their childhoods.”
To deepen engagement, NETA has developed curriculum materials to complement the documentary, allowing educators to explore themes of equity, urban renewal, and community resilience with their students. These resources provide a critical opportunity for learning and discussion.
Residents of Flint applauded at the end of the film during its premiere in August 2024.
A Call to Action
The distribution of St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood on PBS ensures that this important history reaches audiences across the country.
As Wardlow reflects, “The St. John Street Memorial Park will be in existence. It will stand as a lasting memorial… for all the people to know that this was a thriving community and will remain in the memories of all of us.”
Support the St. John Street Historical Fund, which benefits programs, organizations, and initiatives that preserve and celebrate the history of the St. John Street neighborhood. Your contribution helps ensure that this vital legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Learn more about the documentary and educational resources at WKAR’s website.
