Unveiling The Story Within The Story: The William N. Byers Jr. Effect
Who’s in your village? “Lifting as we Climb!” ... William N. Byers Jr., Award-winning Producer, Director, Documentary Filmmaker, Buffalo Soldier, and owner of Explorer Studios was recently honored with a 2018 Villager Award. Not unlike many recipients of this distinguished award, Byer’s work transcends the ordinary and brings with it a deep insight into the strength and contributions of Blacks in the United States. The notion of Black History is clearly expanded in his documentary film: “Building the Dream” - The Story of the Building of the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Washington D.C.
Byers skillfully brings a story forward as one of many sub-stories - carefully weaving the details step-by-step into a Journey that spans decades. The film is skillfully narrated by Robert “Bobby” McDonald, President-Orange County Black Chamber, and life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The dream of having a monument in our nation’s capital honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. started as a conversation among Alpha brothers and expanded over decades to include other committed stakeholders. The role of these various stakeholders eventually unveils a strategy that can be replicated in the building of other historical initiatives.
Noting the comments of one of the 2018 Villager Award Attendees, Joan Craigwell, a US Air Force Vietnam Veteran and Flight Nurse: “I learned so much just being around William Byers, and Bobby Mcdonald today. I knew about the film, but I didn’t know about the people behind the story in the film. We have to tell these stories so our young people will know how we are moving history forward beyond the facade.”
Villager Awards Intern and Historian, Angela Salter of Long Beach, California remarked: “This needs to be seen by everybody and especially by all the people visiting the MLK Jr. Monument, those celebrating diversity, and who want to learn more about Black History - and the stories behind our history.”
Each year The Villager Awards becomes a platform for unveiling the Story Within The Story - expanding to a more inclusive history. (#villageprojects.net)