Directed and produced by @giwasgram and @sarajawn, THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST is a documentary that “chronicles the birth, rise and legacy of The East, a pan-African cultural organization founded in 1969 by teens and young adults in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Led by educator and activist Jitu Weusi, The East embodied Black self-determination, building dozens of institutions, including its own African-centered school, food co-op, newsmagazine, publisher, record label, restaurant, clothing shop and bookstore. The organization hosted world-famous jazz musicians and poets at its highly sought-after performance venue, and it served as an epicenter for political contemporaries such as the Black Panther Party, the Young Lords and the Congress of Afrikan People, as well as comrades across Africa and the Caribbean.” In the director/producer Tayo Giwa’s own words: “We made this film for Brooklyn, and it’s meaningful for us to show it in our community, specifically in open-air, public spaces close to where The East began.” In this spirit, there are two free screenings coming up in august! 🎟August 4th in Restoration Plaza @ 8:30pm presented by @billieholidaytheatre 🎟August 18th at Jitu Weusi Plaza @ 8:30pm presented by @bam_brooklyn + @fabfulton All images via @giwasgram 🔗links to trailer and to RSVP for these free screenings are in our stories #thesunrisesintheeast #bedstuyhistory #racialjustice #panafricanism #blackpantherparty #brooklynhistory #1969 #jituweusi