Hollywood has a dismal record for people of color trying to work behind the camera. Of the top 100 grossing films of 2022, only one in five were led by directors from underrepresented groups, and that number has been stagnant for several years, according to a 2023 report by USC.
Hollywood isn’t the end goal for everyone who makes films in the community, says Blakeney. For that reason, she intentionally promoted the festival as a space for BIPOC filmmakers to experiment, learn, and grow safely.
Hollywood invests a lot in a particular type of racial trauma story. While the festival didn’t shy away from painful truths, many films celebrated other experiences, with a wide range of genres in the lineup including blocks of experimental, romantic, thriller, and mental health films.
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The South LA art and activism nonprofit Crenshaw Dairy Mart (CDM) will hold its inaugural film festival this Saturday at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood, showcasing a diverse range of short films by 19 LA-based filmmakers of color. The selections include documentaries, narrative films, music videos, and works in progress, some shot on iPhones and others and others made with professional equipment, but all resonating with the CDM’s guiding principles of “Ancestry, Abolition, and Healing.”
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Inglewood has been at the center of division and displacement since it first bloomed into a Black neighborhood. Many parts about its growth were out of Black residents’ control even after it was racially desegregated in the mid-’60s, at which point white flight and the construction of entertainment complexes like the Forum galvanized them to think about how to create a self-sufficient city. And that continues to be the case, as many in the community still feel shut out on the approval process for even more massive sports complexes, while at the same time a gentrifying wave of white, wealthier homeowners poses an uncertain future for families living near the poverty line. In response, artists and organizers, including Crenshaw Dairy Mart, have banded to support each other and navigate their longevity and Inglewood-first values outside of a white-dominated art market.
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Art as Abolition: Ashley Blakeney & Autumn Breon Invite You to the Crenshaw Dairy Mart Ashley Blakeney (she/her/hers) is a Los Angeles, CA/New Haven, CT based arts healing facilitator and program management professional. With a specific love for photography, expressive writing and music, Ashley holds a passion for using arts healing approaches to empower folks to utilize art as a tool of storytelling and healing. Ashley began her tenure as Executive Director of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart in July 2021. Autumn Breon investigates the visual vocabulary of liberation through a queer Black feminist lens. A graduate of Stanford University, she studied Aeronautics & Astronautics and researched aeronautical astrobiology applications for NASA. Autumn’s examination of contemporary art throughout the African Diaspora began when she was living and working in South Africa. Through inquiry-based interaction, she invites audiences to participate in the examination of freedom, intersectional identities, and Diasporic memory.
Embark on an enlightening journey with the passionate voices of Crenshaw Dairy Mart's Ashley Blakeney, Ale, and Noe Olivas as they define the essence of abolition through the lens of art and resistance. Each guest unveils their unique interpretation of abolition, interweaving their cultural narratives and life stories into a tapestry of activism that challenges and inspires. Ashley, the executive director of CDM, demystifies the idea of abolition as more than a concept—it's a movement for dismantling oppressive structures and crafting a world where every need finds fulfillment. Meanwhile, Ale merges the worlds of fashion and activism, and Noe grounds his work in the rich soil of his family's history.
Within the nurturing walls of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart, discover how art serves as a catalyst for healing and spiritual growth, anchored by the triad of ancestry, abolition, and spirituality. Explore innovative programs such as the North Star Healing Generations exhibit and the Abolitionist Pods, which take the form of intimate geodesic domes, demonstrates the tangible intersection of artistic expression and social transformation. These spaces symbolize a sanctuary for contemplative growth, encouraging community healing through the communal embrace of art.
Join us as we acknowledge the profound impact of African diasporic religions on the spirit of political resistance, exploring the capacity of art and music to fuel the fires of liberation. In this heartfelt exchange, we draw connections between personal spiritual paths and the proactive nature of abolitionist endeavors, while also envisioning a future where resources flow towards nurturing artists as agents of change. As Abolition April unfurls its banner of joy and community solidarity, we look forward to the unfolding celebrations, steeped in creative resilience and driven by a fervent belief in the power of compassion, justice, and the flourishing of every community member.