“One Person, One Vote?” at the Last Picture House -- October 20.

Sunday, October 20, 4 p.m.

The Last Picture House, 325 East Second Street, Davenport IA

With only four weeks left until the upcoming election, the Azubuike African American Council for The Arts is proud to mark its 10th anniversary with a timely and crucial screening of the award-winning documentary One Person, One Vote?, a lauded work by renowned filmmaker Maximina Juson that enjoys a Davenport screening at the Last Picture House on October 20.

As the election approaches, this thought-provoking film offers an essential exploration of the U.S. Electoral College, its historical ties to slavery, and its lasting impact on American democracy today. Juson's One Person, One Vote? has garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards, including the Best Documentary Feature – Programmers Award at the 2024 Pan African Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 2024 Harlem International Film Festival. The October 20 screening will provide a valuable opportunity to engage with Maximina Juson in person, as she will be present to discuss the film and its powerful message on the importance of voting. "Azubuike is proud to host this screening at such a critical time for our country, just weeks before the election," said Gaye Shannon Burnett, founder of Azubuike African American Council for the Arts. "We hope the film and discussion will inspire our community to understand the weight of every single vote."

When translated, the name “Azubuike” means "the past is our strength," and Azubuike’s arts and cultural programs are about crossing boundaries and viewing things in different ways, enriching perspectives, while creating a strong foundation and long-standing appreciation for the arts. Their programs introduce Black Culture to our youth through the contributions of African Americans in art, music, theatre, cinema, literature, and history. Exposure to cultural enrichment fosters good self-esteem and allows youth to become more responsible and respectful citizens. The history of the organization predates its official incorporation in October of 2014, and its founders have gathered together their many years of experience as community members, activists, artist, educators, writers, and mentors, channeling their passion for helping our youth and our community into one entity of service: the Azubuike African American Council for the Arts.

Located at 318 East Seventh Street, Suite 112, in Davenport, the Azubuike Studio offers Saturday-morning art classes for kids, the Urban Exposure Summer Film program for teens and young adults, and frequently screens independent films with Q&A sessions. They are home to the “Wrapping Ourselves in God’s Love" African American Breast Cancer support group, participate yearly in the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, and exhibit emerging artists at their studio. At their Web site, the organization cites it mission as "to reconcile the racial divides that exist in our community by giving at-risk youth a voice to express themselves, be heard without bias, and spark a much larger conversation about race relations in the Quad Cities through the Arts." Azubuike's official vision, meanwhile, is "to use the Arts to help us understand our past, [and] show us how to shape our future while telling a compelling story about why our lives matter."

One Person, One Vote? Will be screened at Davenport's The Last Picture House on October 20, with a reception held at 3 p.m., the film shown at 4 p.m., and a filmmaker talk and Q&A with director Maximina Johnson from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. With admission free, advance reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by e-mailing azubuikeartscouncil@gmail.com and calling (563)594-2016. For more information on the Azubuike African American Council for the Arts, visit AzubuikeArts.org.

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