In honor of Women's History Month - PacoimaStories: Land of Dreams is an epic documentary that reveals the 1,500-year history of an area in Los Angeles called Pacoima. The town, which is located in the northeast San Fernando Valley, has been largely viewed as a hub for gangs and drug activity. However, when you scratch beneath the surface you discover a rich tradition of pride and heritage that defines American culture like never before.

Monday, March 26, 2018 @7pm

St. Clair Bourne 4th Monday Free Screening

Mayme Clayton Library and Museum

4130 Overland Avenue

Culver City, CA  90230

Mayme Clayton Library and Museum in association with the BADWest St. Clair Bourne 4th Monday Documentary Series Presents:

PacoimaStories: Land of Dreams

Directed by

Crystal Jackson

This story begins at a time before America was born. When Indians roamed the land and called this beautiful part of the San Fernando Valley, Pacoinga Village. These Native-Americans known as Tataviam, had territorial reign of this land, with a history dating back to 450 AD.

From Senator Charles Maclay, who cheated Native-Americans out of their land in the late 1800's, through the early 20th century Mexican migration, that changed Pacoima's landscape forever, discover the history of Pacoima you never knew.

PacoimaStories: Land of Dreams also traces the early African-American migration during the 1950's as Black families from around the country converged on the town looking to buy new homes. It reveasl the towns' struggles through the 80's and 90 when drugs, gangs and guns hijacked the community. Most importantly how they fought to retake their town, by forging a new educational model for their children that has reshaped the entire city.

The film also follows the towns' struggles through the 80's and 90 when drugs, gangs and guns hijacked the community. Most importantly how they fought to retake their town, by forging a new educational model for their children that has reshaped the entire city. The Los Angeles Daily News called PacoimaStories: Land of Dreams "The most in-depth documentary on Pacoima."

Crystal Jackson, Writer/Director With a family who first came to Pacoima in the 1930's, Crystal Jackson was born a Pacoima resident. After living in the San Fernando Gardens housing projects in her early years, she moved to various towns throughout the San Fernando Valley while growing up. Her family roots however, were always in Pacoima. She graduated from Granada Hills High school, but attended San Fernando High her last semester so she could stay close to her Pacoima friends.

Crystal attended Cal State University Northridge where she majored in journalism and minored in history. Her first home purchase was in Lake View Terrace, where the 1994 earthquake "red tagged" the house. She moved to the Bay area where fond memories of her home town led her to researching and ultimately producing her first major project, PacoimaStories.
 

There will be a Q&A via Skype with director Crystal Jackson after the screening.

This event is FREE. 

Monday, March 26, 2018 @ 7pm

Mayme Clayton Library and Museum

4130 Overland Avenue

Culver City, CA  90230

Free Parking. 

The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West is a project of Fulcrum Arts' Emerge fiscal sponsorship program. www.fulcrumarts.org

The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West (BAD West) is a professional organization providing people of African descent working in documentary film, video or other media the opportunity to network professionally, share resources, exchange ideas and meet socially in order to enhance the development, production, promotion and exhibition of documentaries. The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West also advocates the recognition and professional advancement of Black documentary filmmakers.