Join The National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Ancestry for a screening of “A Dream Delivered: The Lost Letters of Hawkins Wilson”, a documentary, chronicling the incredible story of an African American family who embarks on a journey of discovery after a lost letter from a formerly enslaved ancestor is unearthed. After the film screening, attendees will also participate in a reflection discussion with panelists Rashidi Harper and Nicka Sewell-Smith. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Meet Panelist, Rashidi Harper:

Rashidi Harper is an award-winning director and producer whose cultural impact spans across music, film, television, and the digital space. With a trusted reputation among influential figures in popular culture, Rashidi has collaborated with global brands, iconic athletes, respected actors and beloved musicians. The list includes household names from Apple & Nike to Venus & Serena Williams to Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar.

Notable career highlights include his involvement in the executive team responsible for the brand identity and landmark launch of Apple Music as well as being the director and executive producer of FX’s critically acclaimed documentary series, “Hip Hop Uncovered”.  Currently, he is in post-production for “Headliners Only,” the Netflix documentary starring Kevin Hart and Chris Rock.

Meet Panelist, Nicka Sewell-Smith:

Nicka Sewell-Smith is a host, consultant, and documentarian with more than 20 years of experience as a genealogist. She has extensive experience in researching the enslaved and their communities, is an expert in Mississippi Delta genealogy, and currently serves as a senior story producer at Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics.

Nicka has diverse and varied experience in media with a background in audio, video, and written communications. She’s appeared on TODAY, CNN, MSNBC, an Emmy winning episode of Who Do You Think You Are and has been interviewed by Oakland Tribune, National Geographic, and TIME. She is the host of BlackProGen LIVE, an innovative web show with more than 130 episodes focused on people of color genealogy and family history.

She is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, a member of two lineage societies (Sons and Daughters of the Middle Passage (SDUSMP), National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)), and a past board member of the California Genealogical Society (CGS) and the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California (AAGSNC). Nicka served as the chair of the Outreach and Education Committee for AAGSNC, and is the former project manager for the Alameda County, CA Youth Ancestral Project where more than 325 youth were taught the value of family history.