This journey started moving in my spirit after the murder of Trayvon Martin. Then Eric Garner…and then Michael Brown…and then Tamir Rice.…
The reality is that there are many names that never even make it to the mainstream media. So, in the winter of 2014, I began inviting and interviewing Black men of various ages and backgrounds to share their stories. I wanted to hear more. In the DC and Atlanta areas alone, I captured images of almost 50 men as they shared their experiences of being Black in America. I was fascinated and saddened and hopeful and angry – the range of emotions were as broad as they come. The openness and willingness of these brothers to share their thoughts and lives with me was truly humbling.
Over the years, I’ve showcased pieces of what I’ve learned from them – in exhibits, social media posts, discussions, but I knew there was much more I could do. In the summer of 2020, influenced by the moment our country found itself, I decided that a documentary would be a meaningful way to share some of these stories and honor the lives of Black men taken too soon. And so, I partnered with John Ledbetter of Sunchase Media and got to work.
The conversations, for better and worse, continue to be relevant today. Because of this, we are determined to use this documentary as a vehicle to educate and encourage others to reflect on, confront and/or join similar discussions concerning the complexity of being a Black man in America, in their respective circles.
“It’s been exciting to see this film come together in this way, in this light.”
C I P R I A N A T H O M P S O N
When They Speak: Stories of Black Men in America is a conversation with 13 men about their experiences in an America that’s both ever-changing and unchanging. These men of varied backgrounds and lives vulnerably share what troubles them, scares them and brings them hope. A candid and insightful conversation like no other. Welcome to the conversation.
Documentary Trailer
Behind the Scenes.
Cipriana D. Thompson,
Cipriana Thompson Photography, LLC
Director, Producer, Writer
Cipriana, the founder and owner of Cipriana Thompson Photography, is a documentarian…dreamer…creative soul…photographer…giggler…soul-stirring music seeker…word lover…over-thinker…hilarity pursuer…FAMU Alum…HBCU fan…engineer. She is the sum of all these things! Cipriana has been capturing images of the life around her since she was little (starting with her blue Fisher Price camera). She enjoys telling the story through imagery and has a passion for helping to amplify the voices of the underrepresented and unheard.
John Ledbetter,
Sunchase Media
Director of Photography, Editor
Entrepreneur, Videographer, Photographer, Storyteller, Investor. Those are just a few words to describe the versatility of John Ledbetter, MBA. John is the principal and creative director of Sun Chase Media – a full-service, innovative branding firm that specializes in helping major corporations, small businesses, creative artists and non-profit organizations to connect with their audiences through creative video content that sells and brings stories to life.