NEXT PROJECT: Pushing the Rock
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING NOV 7th

Pushing the Rock crowdfunding campaign: coming Nov 7, 2025

We can soon join forces and voices and deliver a stronger message. In the meantime, you can watch an early version of the crowdfunding video above, join the VIP list below, and keep clicking refresh until the crowdfunding site goes live.

This musical documentary explores the origins and appeasement of systemic racism

In this abolitionist film series, we answer basic questions by using history, music, and stories of regular people with the courage to stand up and say out loud that racism is wrong, even if it is the law.

You’ll meet:

  • John Brown

  • Homer Plessy

  • Ida B. Wells

  • The Tuskegee Airmen

  • Dave Brubeck

  • Louis Armstrong

  • Malcolm X

  • and others!

THE GOAL: build community

Educate viewers of the terrible truths of white supremacy and systemic racism—not to make them feel guilty or ashamed, but to help them feel solidarity with their community and commit to fixing the problem.

THE METHOD: a melting pot of media

The story is told by scholars and artists, using plain language and common sense, bringing life to average people who stood exceptionally strong.

Music is an informational device. It increases blood flow to the parts of the brain responsible for emotion—it sparks the limbic system when we hear it. A singer can pierce a heart and soul with lyrics that ears may reject.

Dance and dramatizations splash color on the canvas. The combination of devices—interpretive dance, approachable experts, plain language, common sense, folksy narrative, dramatization, and simple infographics—makes the message compelling, easy to digest, and inspirational.

THE EXPERTS: rock stars and folk heroes

  • Dr. Louis A. DeCaro, Jr., (retired) most prolific John Brown biographer

  • Dr. Manisha Sinha, Draper Chair of History, University of Connecticut

  • Dr. Kathy Bullock, Professor Emerita of Music, Berea College

  • Brig. Gen. Enoch Woodhouse, A living Tuskegee Airman,

  • Dan Brubeck, Jazz drummer, son of Dave

  • Darius Brubeck, Professor Emeritus of Music, University of KwaZulu-Natal, pianist, composer, son of Dave

  • Sule Greg Wilson, music historian, storyteller, shaman

  • Guy Wolf, Bantam, CT

  • Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring Louis Armstrong

  • Jubilo Choir, Berea, Kentucky

ACT I explores why equality movements are buried in history

ACT II answers the question, “What Does Jim Crow Mean?”

ACT III considers today in the context of yesterday

This poster describes the general idea of the film, Pushing the Rock. Click it to embiggen it.