OMG Studios
The Juneteenth Story: From Galveston, TX To Minnesota
The Juneteenth Story From Galveston, Texas to Minnesota, is a six-episode docufilm (edited to a 30-minute film for television and streaming broadcasts), filmed on the Island of Galveston and in Saint Paul, Minnesota, telling the story of Juneteenth, where it originated, from historians and descendants of enslaved persons transported to the Island during the transatlantic slave trade between 1816 and 1836. The story connects the significance of making Juneteenth a state holiday in Minnesota. The full episodic docufilm is available online at kzmohd.com.
Watch 6-episode docufilm here.
We are grateful to MN Humanities Center and Ujamaa Place for supporting our cultural films. As our OMG Studios’ cultural sustainability promise states: “music and art are essential to human survival and development,” it is our truth and belief that guides us when telling American history through cultural film-making, which would not be possible without the support from community partners. The creative music collaboration with legendary Jazz saxophonist Walter Chancellor, Jr. and the incomparable Jazz vocalist Thomasina Petrus produced the soundtrack for the film “Water Cries” reflecting how water takes on the color of its environment and its deep connection with the slave trade. The song pays tribute to author Anthony Griffin’s story of the slave warehouse in Galveston, TX in his new book “The Water Cries.” You will feel the pain and struggle of our enslaved ancestors and the heart beat of Native Americans who here long before the arrival of the first slave ship in America.
Please send your comments and stories to me at: kzmoinfo@kzmohd.com.
Juneteenth Brunch 2023
Juneteenth (June 19) is the federal and Minnesota-state holiday, which commemorates the emancipation of all enslaved African Americans in 1865. Juneteenth Brunch, It Starts With Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset, is a community brunch and conversation featuring Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King and CEO of The King Center. Dr. Bernice A. King offers a fresh perspective on where we go from here and how we overcome ever-present inequities and injustices in our world house. Presented by MN Humanities Center in partnership with Thrivent, Blue Cross Blue Shield MN and McKnight Foundation. An OMG Studios production. All rights reserved.
Watch full livestream:
Music Monuments Tribute to George Floyd by Thomasina Petrus
Vocalist extraordinaire Thomasina Petrus sings a rendition of Nina Simone’s “Strange Fruit”, of a poem she wrote titled “Northern Fruit” inserted into the second verse, one week after the murder of George Floyd. This recording of Northern Fruit was filmed by OMG Media at Public Arts St. Paul’s Distinguish Artists & Leaders event with special guest Paul Farber, Executive Director of Monument Lab, during his visit to Minnesota in October 2021.
Bells For Philando
A poignant video of J.J. Hill Montessori School kindergarten students, where Philando worked as a Cafeteria Supervisor, ringing bells for Philando. “Look What You Left Behind” was written and sung by Thomasina Petrus, accompanied by Thom West and produced by Charles Petrus. Thank you to the students and teachers are J.J. Hill for sharing their love for Philando with the universe. Film produced by OMG Studios Philando’s legacy of feeding and taking care of children will be in our hearts forever. Learn more at: https://www.philandocastilefoundation.org.
Juneteenth Commemoration Film 2022
A celebration of African American history, music, art and literature, featuring a special tribute to George Floyd and Philando Castile by Ta-coumba T. Aiken and Seitu Jones.
This film is part of Juneteenth Commemoration 2022 celebration of African American history, music, art, music and literature in partnership with The City of St. Paul, Saint Paul Public Library, MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Ujamaa Place and OMG Studios.