On Austin’s Black History and Acknowledging the Past: An Interview With Funmi Ogunro
Emmy-nominated filmmaker and previous BABES FEST exhibitionist Funmi Ogunro is making a feature-length documentary on the history of Austin’s Black Freedom Communities. As a native Austinite, Funmi is actively working to preserve and spread awareness about the oral history of these communities through the film. The history of these Freedmen’s communities is essential to note not only when talking about the history of Austin, but within the conversation of Texas Black History.
In conversation with bbatx staff member Margeaux Labat, Funmi recently talked with us about her filmmaking roots, the importance of learning Austin’s Black history, and her advice for aspiring Black women filmmakers.
PS: Funmi is leading a discussion on the history of Austin’s Black Freedom Communities in an event with us this Saturday. Head here to learn more about the event, our speakers, and to grab your RSVP.
ABOUT FUNMI OGUNRO:
Funmi Ogunro is a Nigerian-American Emmy nominated film producer and editor from Austin, Texas. Funmi is a producer for Austin PBS. Most recently she served as the director of photography for Reflections on a Legacy: East 12th Street, a short documentary about the history of East 12th street. Her online comedy web series, Nneka The Uber Driver, was an official selection of the Women of the Lens 2017 Film Festival in London, England. Her short film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner: Naija Edition toured the United States and premiered at the 2016 Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. She is the creator of Art is Cool, a multi service organization specializing in photography, videography, documentary films. In addition to producing, Funmi Ogunro served as the host of Juneteenth Jamboree, a PBS production dedicated to the discussion of Texas Black History.
How did you first get into filmmaking?
After college, I started a children’s show called Funmi & Friends. The show was similar to Sesame Street, and the goal was to teach kids the importance of eating fruits and veggies and moving your body. It was a lot of fun. This was the start of my film career. You can read more about my film journey here.
Can you tell us a little about how Art is Cool—your multi-service organization specializing in photography, videography, and documentary films—came to be?
I started Art is Cool in 2015. Art is Cool started off as a documentary concept. I wanted to create a documentary series around artists of all mediums. My first episode was with artist Beth Consetta Rubel (you can check it out below). After I completed a few episodes, I decided to curate an art exhibition with the artists I interviewed. Over the course of a couple of years, we started doing more and more art exhibits. Then, a few years ago, I decided to include video production as a core service of the company.
For those who don't know, what is your documentary about? Why do you believe that it's an important story to be told and for people to know about?
Like many people in Austin, I grew up not knowing the history of Black people in our city. Only a few years ago did I learn about the 15 + Black Freedom Communities that were part of our city’s establishment after the Civil War ended in 1865. Clarksville, Wheatville, and Southside, for example. It’s time for these stories to be told. Black Austin History is Austin History. Black people created thriving neighborhoods from the ground up, from businesses to schools and churches. In the early 1900s, these same people were displaced from their communities because of discriminatory city mandates. Today, these same regions are some of Austin’s most prominent neighborhoods. Austin Black Freedom Communities is not just a feature length documentary. It is oral history preservation. Through interviews, cinematic shots, archival footage and photos, the film serves as an educational tool to educate the viewer on the rich history of over 15 Austin freedom communities. The film chronicles the time period between 1865 - 1928.
4. During your research process for the documentary, what have you discovered so far about the history of Austin's Black Freedom Communities that you have found to be especially interesting or that has stuck with you?
I am a native Austinite. I spent a lot of time in East Austin as a child because both my parents owned businesses in East Austin. Growing up, East Austin was known as the Black part of town. I never questioned it. I was in awe once I learned that there was a time when Black people lived all over the city: east, west, south, and north. That is especially interesting and fascinating.
Photo courtesy of Six Square - Austin's Black Cultural Arts District
5. What do you hope to be the main takeaway that people have from watching the documentary (once it gets made)?
The takeaway is that Black people, with limited resources, built communities throughout the city of Austin. Black people contributed greatly to the city of Austin. Black people are resilient. The city implemented racist policies that displaced Black people from their homes—their communities—and we need to acknowledge the past in order to move forward.
6. Do you have any advice for Black women looking to pursue careers in the film industry?
Network and work with other Black women in your community. Issa Rae said it best, “Effective networking starts with the people around you, not above you.”
7. Where can people keep up with you? How can people best support the documentary?
You can follow me on Instagram and visit my website. We are aiming to raise $100,000 by December 31st, 2020, for the documentary on GoFundMe. If you are able, make a donation or share the GoFundMe. Monies raised through our GoFundMe campaign will fund Phase 1 of production, which includes filming interviews with historians, archaeologists, native Austinites, and people with direct ties to Austin Black Freedom Communities. I would like to acknowledge the documentary team:
Funmi Ogunro - Director/Editor
Stephanie L. Lang - Creative Producer
Tamar Price - Producer
Rachel E. Winston - Archivist
Juan A. Izaguirre - Cinematographer
Cullen Cooper - Research Associate
Edward D. Floyd - Associate Producer
Odera Anyasinti - Research Associate
Hannah Roberts - Fundraising Consultant
I would also like to acknowledge our Community Partners: