By Karani Johnson

Hammer Forum  Screenings

Thursday, Mar 6, 2025, 7:30 PM

“Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics” is an outstanding documentary that chronicles the journey of some of California’s leading black women as they rise in their respected careers in politics, community activism, organized labor, and the judicial system. The 90-minute film is produced and directed by Pamela Bright-Moon and co-produced by Alisa Bass Covington.

The film presents very personal stories and archival footage of 34 phenomenal women who, in their own words, reveal their struggles against racism, sexism, and other systemic challenges.  They also reveal the dedication, courage, support, prayers, tears, anger, and humor necessary to persevere in their rise to service.  Some of those women include, Los Angeles city Mayor Karen Bass, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Activist Sweet Alice, Councilwoman Heather Hutt, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, trailblazing state, congressional and Los Angeles County politician Yvonne Brathwaite Burke,  Compton Mayor Emma Shariff, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, and many others whose paths into California politics were motivated by their desire to make a positive impact on Black and brown communities.

 The film also takes us on a historical journey of 170 years of black female warrior women in the struggle for civil rights in California.. And it is fitting that the filmmakers chose to include the earliest warrior woman, the mythical black Queen Califia, from whom the name of the state of California was derived. We also learn of the accomplishments of other early heroines in the movement, such as Charlotta Bass, an active civil rights campaigner in Los Angeles, fearless publisher, and owner of the California Eagle in 1921, as well as the first African-American woman nominated for Vice President as a candidate of the Progressive Party.

This educational screening was presented on October 29, 2024, by Robert Lee Johnson and Karani Johnson of Beyond Image/In Context (BIIC), whose mission is to place current events in their historical context.  The venue was The World Stage, a 36-year-old, world-renowned non-profit educational and art space in Leimert Park, founded by famed drummer Billy Higgins and acclaimed poet and activist Kamau Daooud. The World Stage is now under the current direction of spirit vocalist Dwight Trible, who presents Jazz concerts every Friday night with acclaimed musicians in the industry and weekly music workshops and Wednesday night poetry sessions.

The film received a rousing standing ovation, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers moderated by event host and writer Karani Johnson. Panelists also included Robert Lee Johnson, author of Images in America: Compton and Notables in Southern California Black History. Both books are best sellers and published by Arcadia Publishing.  Also on the panel were Omar Cook, founder of Los Angeles based 247 live, the premiere multi-media for Black Creatives and Adonis Armstrong also of 247 live. The two young visionaries also produce, direct, and act in short films that have won over 30 international awards.

Respect My Crown has had other screenings and won the audience award from the Pan African Film Festival and the Official Selection honor at film festivals such as the African Diaspora International Film Festival, Women’s International, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Micheaux Film Festival.

The film also serves as an archival project of the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI), a nonpartisan public policy center, and as a study of Black Women in politics for the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, a 501C3 non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout the state. Both think tanks are housed on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Also instrumental in the making of the film was consulting producer Joy Atkinson, Executive Director of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAWPPI), a non-profit organization that provides an intensive 10-week leadership program to prepare women for greater engagement in government. 

More information on the film and filmmakers can be found at:

https://www.respectmycrownmovie.com/
https://www.moonglobalfoundation.org/
https://www.withgraceproductions.com/
More information about the venue
https://www.theworldstage.org/
More info on the principals
https://www.247liveculture.com/
More info on Robert Lee Johnson
https://www.pbssocal.org/people/robert-lee-johnson
https://www.facebook.com/TheRealAuthorRobertLeeJohnson/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-Lee-
Johnson/author/B00DWKVH20?ref=dbs_a_mng_r

More info on Karani (Marcia Leslie) Johnson
https://theatrius.com/2020/02/23/the-trial-honors-black-history-with-a-twist-at-
african-american-shakes-s-f/
Vhttps://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/02/theater/theater-review-a-trial-as-mirror-
reflecting-blacks-self-image.html
https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/phoenix/phnx1160.html
https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8rj4sfq/

More information about the venue

More info on the principals

More info on Robert Lee Johnson

More info on Karani (Marcia Leslie) Johnson

Vhttps://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/02/theater/theater-review-a-trial-as-mirror-reflecting-blacks-self-image.html