A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

Winner, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song “Glory” (John Legend, Common) at the 2015 Academy Awards.

*Join us on July 3rd following the 7:15 p.m. screening for a post-film discussion featuring director and producer Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd.

Twinkie Byrd is an award-winning casting director, producer, and talent consultant whose career spans more than 30 years in the film, television, and entertainment industries. Renowned for her commitment to discovering and championing diverse talent, Byrd has become one of Hollywood’s most respected casting professionals, helping to shape projects that center authentic storytelling and underrepresented voices.

Throughout her career, Byrd has contributed to numerous critically acclaimed and award-winning films, including Fruitvale Station, American Skin, The Clark Sisters, Notorious, SPARKLE, and Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story. Her work has been instrumental in bringing fresh voices and dynamic performers to the screen while advancing opportunities for artists from historically marginalized communities.

Beyond casting, Byrd is a dedicated advocate for mentorship, workforce development, and greater inclusion within the entertainment industry. She regularly consults on talent development initiatives, serves as a speaker and educator, and works with emerging filmmakers and actors to help cultivate the next generation of creative professionals. Her expertise extends across independent cinema, studio productions, and television, making her a sought-after collaborator for projects that prioritize both artistic excellence and social impact.

Through her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to representation, Twinkie Byrd continues to influence the landscape of contemporary filmmaking, helping create pathways for new talent while elevating stories that reflect the richness and complexity of diverse communities.

Moderator: Dr. Portia Marie York is a Charlotte-based fiber artist and nationally recognized creative educator whose work sits at the intersection of art, STEM/STEAM education, and equitable learning design. Originally from inner-city Boston, she learned to crochet at age 10, later transforming her passion into a practice that explores identity, well-being, and mathematical concepts. As a practicing, teaching, and exhibiting fiber artist for over 20 years, and a Master Certified Crochet Instructor, she teaches fiber arts courses at Lenoir-Rhyne University, and previously at UNC Charlotte. Her pieces have been showcased in numerous region-wide exhibitions, drawing creative energy from a rich tapestry of influences, including iconic artists such as Bisa Butler, Xenobia Bailey, Nick Cave, Jo Hamilton, and Toshiko Macadam.

Driven by the belief that fiber arts are inherently therapeutic and engage both the concrete and creative hemispheres of the brain- a medium that she believes everyone should practice, Dr. York has taught crochet to youth and adults globally—spanning Charlotte, Santa Fe, Atlanta, and Las Vegas to Haiti, Guatemala, and the Bahamas. As a published book author, researcher, and founder of York Creative Education Group, she integrates her specialized techniques to merge math education with crochet art, expanding STEM/STEAM pathways for Black girls and underrepresented youth.

Simultaneously, as an education & management consultant with over 15 years of leadership experience spanning the arts, K-12, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, Dr. York specializes in building institutional infrastructure, fundraising frameworks, and specialized programming that allow mission-driven organizations to scale with impact. She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction (Urban Education), a Master of Management (Business), and a Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques from the Crochet Guild of America.

Looking ahead, Dr. York is dedicated to pioneering innovative models for creative placemaking and community advancement, advocating for culturally responsive arts programming and outcomes across the globe.