26 Blocks Documentary
Empowering Voices, Crafting Visions: A Collaborative Journey in 26 Blocks!
THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF
FRANK
GILMORE
From the streets to the council chamber, the documentary follows Frank ‘Educational’ Gilmore’s transformation as he rises from his troubled past to become a tireless advocate for the underserved. It explores his underdog victory as councilman and his impactful work in the community.
26 BLOCKS DOCUMENTARY
At The Center
0f 26 Blocks
are several local African American developers, contractors, workers, politicians, activists, and community members. They all seek to participate in the American Dream by redeveloping their community. The documentary weaves the stories of several community-driven redevelopment projects and other initiatives to explore the complexity of gentrification and its impact.
Our Future Documentary Release
SARAH'S DAUGHTERS:
DARING TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A documentary about domestic violence told by survivors and the grass-roots organization that helped them. Filmed and edited by 26 Blocks creator, Tali Hendricks.
26 Blocks joins forces with Sarah’s Daughters Domestic Violence Awareness organization and community leader, June Jones, to produce this most needed documentary.
OUR
PURPOSE
We offer meaningful editing and streaming, celebrating and informing the community. Our trainees master professional filming techniques for various media, including events, PSA’s, and documentaries. Through collaboration, we empower artists and ensure community stories remain visible. Follow us for more.
Our Featured Videos
Jersey City Activates
More
featured Videos
featured Videos
The Reason
Jersey City's
Dr. MLK Drive
Jersey City’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, the 26-block heart of the city’s African American community, faces the challenges of hyper-gentrification against the backdrop of NYC’s skyline. As residents combat displacement, they turn to independent candidates advocating for equitable participation. Local activists and long-standing community leaders are campaigning against incumbents, claiming they have neglected the community’s needs.
The Story
26 Blocks
Documentary
26 Blocks is a reality-TV-style documentary miniseries from Jersey City, produced by local journalists and activists. It aims to educate and inspire by examining the community’s efforts towards inclusion and questioning MLK’s dream. Join the team as we delve into Jersey City’s redevelopment and the community’s engagement in it.
About Us
The
Struggle
The struggle for Civil and Human Rights in America, led by individuals and communities, focuses on dignity, fair housing, wages, economic development, education, voting rights, and healthcare. African-Americans are at the forefront of this fight. Jersey City’s challenges resonate with many American cities, making the stories within 26 Blocks a vital part of the ongoing effort to realize the American dream for all.
HELP US SUCCEED
To complete our massive project and ensure that the next generation of content creators and voices of our time thrive, we are seeking funding and professionals willing to volunteer their time. We need a few good masters of videography, journalism, video editing, and social media.
BE HEARD
The Best in the Field
MEET THE Team
SOJOURNA COLLIER
STORY DEVELOPMENT
Emmy® nominee Susan-Sojourna Collier is renowned for writing TV series like All My Children, producing films with Lionsgate, and earning accolades at Tribeca. A playwright, educator, speaker, and co-founder of a writing fellowship, she’s also taught at NYU and contributed globally. With degrees from Talladega College and Spalding University, she adds her story development and distribution expertise to the 26 Blocks documentary in Jersey City, NJ.
PETER ZIELYK
CHIEF EDITOR
Award Winning Film and Video Editor, Cameraperson and Video Producer
Peter(He/Him) is an acclaimed film and video editor, cameraperson, and producer with a proven track record of success. With more than 20 years of experience working with global brands, startups, and nonprofits, he is a skilled and creative storyteller with an eye for detail and a passion for excellence. As Chief Editor for 26 Blocks, Peter oversees the assistant editors and loggers, and produce final edits for distribution.
Pamela Timpson
DOCUMENTARIAN
Pamela Timpson is a photographer and documentary filmmaker with 30+ completed documentaries. When she is not working on 26 Blocks she provides training for upcoming documentarians and works to launch a nonprofit Digi2U, a platform of services and a network of people to provide training, project development services, and in-house productions to inspire talent and equal opportunity in the digital age.
Tyqawn Headen
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Tyqawn Headen, accomplished videographer and music artist, brings his technical knowledge and his love of content creation to 26 Blocks. When he is not solving computer problems, he is researching the next work-around as new technologies rapidly develop better workflows. His persistent love of new technologies allows us to work professionally on a modest budget.
Tali Mack
Director of Photography
Jordan von Haslow