Exploring the Impact of Black Women in Politics: “Dear America, A Letter From Black Women” Documentary
“Dear America, A Letter From Black Women” is a documentary highlighting Black women’s role in U.S. politics, aiming to mobilize 100,000 Black women to vote.
I want to bring to your attention an important upcoming documentary that focuses on a significant yet often underrepresented aspect of American politics: the role of Black women. The film, titled “Dear America, A Letter From Black Women,” is part of The Dear America Project and aims to highlight the contributions of Black women in shaping political landscapes throughout U.S. history.
Project Ready, the nonprofit organization behind this initiative, is embarking on a national tour featuring short film pre-screenings accompanied by panel discussions and special guests. The goal of this campaign is ambitious—securing pledges from 100,000 Black women to commit to voting in what is shaping up to be a historic election.
The timing of this documentary could not be more relevant. As we navigate a pivotal moment in our political history, especially with a Black woman running for president, the film’s exploration of Black women’s narratives is crucial. Shennell Barnes-McCloud, the CEO of Project Ready, states, “This film not only amplifies silenced voices but also serves as a call to action to mobilize our community.” This gives the project a sense of urgency in encouraging civic engagement.
“Dear America” promises to be a crucial commentary on the experiences of Black women, featuring voices from various scholars, activists, and changemakers such as Hill Harper, Dr. Martin Luther King III, and LaTosha Brown. The documentary aims to bring to light the untold stories that often define the struggles for rights and justice faced by Black women throughout history.
The tour will make stops in cities including Chappaqua, Durham, Newark, Atlanta, and New Orleans, creating opportunities for community engagement and discussion. For those interested in exploring the pivotal roles of Black women in America’s political narrative, the screenings will offer a platform for reflection and conversation.
As a film enthusiast, I am looking forward to the insights this documentary will provide regarding the historical and contemporary significance of Black women in politics. It’s an important topic that deserves more attention, especially during this historic election season.
If you are interested in attending a screening, you may want to keep an eye on Project Ready’s website for RSVP details as more locations are announced.
“Dear America: A Letter From Black Women” is an insightful project that holds the potential to both inform and inspire action. For those of you looking for ways to engage with important civic initiatives this election season, this documentary represents a noteworthy opportunity.
Project Ready works to close the opportunity gaps and improve life outcomes by powering communities through civic engagement. First started in 2018 as a grassroots advocacy organization to increase voter turnout, Project Ready has since expanded its focus to include issues related to social justice, public health, and educational inequities. Visit https://www.projectreadynj.org/.
About Dear America, A Letter from Black Women
In a world where the voices of Black women have often been marginalized and silenced, “Dear America, A Letter from Black Women” is a powerful call to action and a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of Black women. This documentary film and social impact campaign shines a light on the untold stories of Black women, from their centuries-long battle for democracy to their continued fight against the rising threats to the future of our nation. The “Dear America” project is about more than just a film – it’s a movement. It’s about Black women rising up, claiming their rightful place at the forefront of the struggle for justice and equality, and demanding a future that reflects their values, their strength, and their unwavering determination. This election season, the “Dear America” project is mobilizing Black women and allies across the nation to not just vote, but to take a stand.
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Lynette Young is a passionate writer and blogger, sharing insights on livable cities, urbanism, and transportation. As an experienced mom, she captures the essence of community through her engaging stories. View all postsblogger/ writer
Lynette Young is a passionate writer and blogger, sharing insights on livable cities, urbanism, and transportation. As an experienced mom, she captures the essence of community through her engaging stories.
What makes a true Santa is inside – and comes with the red suit
Research on 849 professional Santas reveals three types: prototypical, semi-prototypical, and nonprototypical. Discover how diverse Santas navigate stereotypes and why many see the red suit as a calling, not just a job.
Members of the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas meet at Pink’s restaurant at Knott’s Berry Farm before the holiday rush in 2009. Business Wire via AP
What makes a true Santa is inside – and comes with the red suit
Christina Hymer, University of Tennessee When you picture Santa Claus, a white, bearded, overweight and jolly man who dashes around delivering gifts to children during the Christmas season probably comes to mind. Yet, not everyone who dons the red suit fits this stereotype. That’s what Bethany Cockburn, Borbala Csillag and I learned when we teamed up to study professional Santas. For our study, we looked into how these professional Santas were able to “be” Santa, even if they didn’t fully fit the image. As we explained in a forthcoming article in the Academy of Management Journal, many who do this work don’t see it as just a job – it’s a calling. For some professional Santas, it’s especially important that they look and feel like Santa to experience that sense of purpose in their work. We surveyed 849 professional Santas who live across the U.S. and interviewed 53 of them, collecting data between 2018 and 2021. We identified three types of professional Santas: prototypical (64%), semi-prototypical (23%) and nonprototypical (13%). Prototypical Santas look the part. They are white and overweight, have real beards and express confidence that they are the right fit. Semi-prototypical Santas looked the part, too, but felt like they weren’t quite suitable for a range of reasons. They might be introverted or use a fake beard. Nonprototypical Santas had characteristics at odds with the stereotype. They might be nonwhite, female or gay, or have a physical disability.Many Santas see their work, whether paid or volunteer, as a calling.Photo by Gwyn Sussman Whereas prototypical Santas could easily slide into the Santa role, the process was more complex for the others. Semi-prototypical Santas did things like come up with stories they’d tell themselves or share with children to explain away their fake beards. Nonprototypical Santas had values aligned with the Santa image, such as being peaceful, loving and kind. But they still made a big effort to look like what people expect when they visit a Santa. “Should it be a difference if you’re a Jewish Santa Claus or a Catholic Santa Claus?” asked an atheist professional Santa we called “Santa Aquila.” “No. You’re Santa Claus. What do you do? You’re not even supposed to preach anything.” Another Santa whom we called “Santa Lynx” hid that she was female in part by flattening her chest.
Why it matters
While anyone can take a turn being their neighborhood potluck’s Santa, the one you meet at the mall probably attended some combination of Santa schools, webinars and training. For instance, the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School was founded in 1937 and conducts an annual Santa training each year. National networks also exist, such as the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas, which says it has 1,000 members, – and the IBRBS, formerly known as the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, offering meetups and professional support.Actor B.J. Averell, dressed as Santa Claus, attends a toy drive for struggling Bay Area families in Burlingame, Calif., in December 2024.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images There are also local organizations, such as the Lone Star Santas network in Texas. Although most professional Santas are paid for their work, many do this voluntarily. It’s not uncommon for there to be some sort of expectation around who should have a particular occupation. Pilots tend to be male, most schoolteachers are female, and salespeople are often seen as extroverted. But that doesn’t mean that women can’t be pilots, men can’t be teachers or that introverts can’t work in sales.
What’s next
I’m now looking at how broader institutional environments, current events and social movements can shape how people experience their callings and find meaning at work. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.Christina Hymer, Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, University of Tennessee This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead; Son in Custody
Renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home in a reported homicide. Police have arrested their son in connection with the case, and tributes are pouring in.
Director Rob Reiner participates in a discussion following a screening of the film LBJ at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas on Saturday October 22, 2016 On Saturday evening October 22, 2016, the LBJ Presidential Library held a sneak peek of Rob Reiner’s new filmÊLBJ, starring Woody Harrelson as the 36th president. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, chronicles the life and times of Lyndon Johnson who would inherit the presidency at one of the most fraught moments in American history. Following the screening, director Rob Reiner, actor Woody Harrelson, and writer Joey Hartstone joined LBJ Library Director Mark Updegrove on stage for a conversation about the film. LBJ Library photo by Jay Godwin 10/22/2016
Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead; Son in Custody
December 15, 2025
Renowned filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday, authorities say. Emergency responders were called to the residence Sunday afternoon, where both were discovered with fatal wounds consistent with a stabbing. Police are treating the case as a double homicide.
Los Angeles police arrested the couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, in connection with the deaths. He is being held in custody as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
2016 SAMHSA Voice Awards
Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most influential figures, known for his work as a director, producer and actor. His career spanned decades, from early television fame to directing beloved films that shaped American cinema.
Friends, colleagues and public figures have begun sharing tributes and reactions to the news as the investigation is ongoing.
More details will be updated as they become available.
Hollywood vs. Reality: How LA’s Wilshire Subway Was Really Built
Wilshire Subway: Did LA blast subway tunnels under Wilshire Boulevard? Hollywood says yes — engineers say no. Here’s how Metro safely tunneled beneath Miracle Mile.
When the 1997 disaster film Volcano depicted lava erupting along Wilshire Boulevard and referenced blasting during Red Line subway construction, it delivered gripping cinema — but not accurate engineering.
In reality, Los Angeles Metro did not rely on large-scale blasting to construct subway tunnels beneath Wilshire Boulevard and the Miracle Mile. Instead, engineers used tunnel boring machines (TBMs) specifically to avoid the very risks Hollywood dramatized.
Why Blasting Was Avoided
The Wilshire Corridor sits atop historic oil fields, making methane gas pockets a known and serious concern. A deadly methane explosion near Fairfax Avenue in 1985 led to heightened scrutiny of underground construction in the area. Blasting in such conditions could have caused unpredictable gas releases, ground instability, or damage to surface structures.
As a result, Metro engineers chose pressurized, closed-face tunnel boring machines, which allow for:
Controlled excavation in dense urban environments
Continuous ground support to prevent settlement
Integrated gas detection and ventilation systems
These machines grind slowly through soil and rock while installing precast concrete tunnel linings, creating a sealed, gas-resistant structure as they advance.
The Real Engineering Feat
Although Volcano took creative liberties for dramatic effect, the true story of tunneling under Wilshire is no less impressive. Advances in TBM technology and methane mitigation ultimately allowed the Metro D Line (formerly the Red Line/Purple Line) to safely pass through one of Los Angeles’ most geologically complex corridors — without explosions, collapsing streets, or cinematic chaos.
Bottom Line
Volcano remains a memorable piece of 1990s disaster cinema, but its portrayal of subway construction is fiction. The real achievement lies in decades of careful planning, modern tunneling technology, and engineering solutions that quietly reshaped Los Angeles beneath its busiest boulevard.
Pickleball Kingdom is opening a 14-court indoor facility in Port Richey, FL in early 2026. Discover what Jerry Campbell and Dr. Brian Dahmer are bringing to Pasco County’s pickleball community.
Christina Hymer, Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, University of Tennessee This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
