Cinema with a Cause, a groundbreaking initiative organized by the Center for Law and Social Justice, is set to unite the New York City community through a series of free film screenings that address critical social issues, with a strong focus on voting and civic engagement.
Starting this September, the monthly screenings will be held at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, running through June 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
The mission for the initiative is clear: to create a dynamic space where compelling stories inspire meaningful action, spark conversations, and empower New Yorkers, particularly those of African descent aged 17-40, to actively participate in shaping their future.
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“There is no power quite like the power born from bridging the arts and activism,” said Lurie Daniel Favors, executive director at the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College. “The arts can serve as a pathway towards a lifetime of civic engagement. The CLSJ Cinema with a Cause series is designed to do just that: tap into the power of social justice films to invite our community to do their part to help our build civic power in our community and to secure the resources and representation that we need in order to thrive.”
The selected films highlight some of the most pressing social issues of our time, particularly those that resonate with the African American community. Each screening is designed not only to inform but also to empower attendees to take actionable steps towards civic engagement.
This is more than just a film series—it's an opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about making a difference.
Each screening will offer not only thought-provoking films, but also free beverages and popcorn, ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for all attendees.
The season's first movie will be Shirley Chisholm, a powerful documentary that chronicles the life and legacy of the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first to seek a major party nomination for the U.S. presidency. The screening will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, setting the tone for a season of films that inspire action and empower communities.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Center will show Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook. The documentary, narrated by actor Jeffery Wright, shows how the right wing has been systematically undermining the voting system through a decade of dirty tricks, including partisan gerrymandering, voter purges, and the gutting of the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court in 2013.
The film Selma will be shown on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The documentary is a deep-dive into one of the most pivotal series of events in modern American history – The chronicle of the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.
All movie showings, at the EOJ Auditorium at Medgar Evers College (1638 Bedford Ave.), are free but registration is preferred. For more information about the showings and other events at the Center for Law and Social Justice, click here.
