In this episode of "Race to the Top" I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the legendary filmmaker Charles Burnett. Picture this: a young Charles navigating the vibrant yet segregated streets of 50s and 60s Los Angeles, where jazz clubs thrived and kids rode bikes like they were training for the Tour de France—minus the spandex, of course! Charles shared stories that were both heart- wrenching and hilarious, like the time a teacher told him he wouldn’t amount to anything—classic motivational tactics, right? But instead of letting that dim his shine, he turned it into fuel for his filmmaking fire. We dove into the civil rights movement, the magic of community, and how he
went from being a kid raising pigeons to a cinematic powerhouse. He also shed light on the absurdities of Hollywood, where being a Black filmmaker sometimes felt like trying to get into an exclusive club with a bouncer who didn’t even know what a film camera looked like. Yet, through it all, Charles remained hopeful and determined, proving that laughter and resilience can coexist. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to be inspired—this episode is a
masterclass in storytelling and tenacity! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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