The Rhode Island Black Film Festival presents a film screening of  “Dr. Ira Reid: Haverford College’s Unsung Scholar Activist” at The Strand Theatre following a Q&A with Dr. Cornel West. 
In the first half of the 20th century, Ira de Augustine Reid was the first African American to pioneer the acceptance of Black scholars as faculty members at predominantly White Northern universities. His study of Black immigrant communities resulted in a close working relationship with W. E. B. DuBois. He later mentored a young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who served as Reid’s research assistant. During the film he speaks to prominent individuals who speak of  Dr. Reid’s place in American history and quiet contribution to social justice and civil rights. Among those persons is American philosopher, theologist, political activist, social critic, Dr. Cornel West. Dr. West will sit on a panel moderated by Kamilah A’Vant, President for the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) New England. 
Screenwriter and film producer Rel Dowdell’s current project tells the story of the transformational scholar who strengthened the chorus of justice, peace, and equal opportunity for all.