Documentary Pays Homage to Nashville News Legend
Documentary depicts the life and honors the achievements of journalism pioneer Robert Churchwell
Nashville, TN – (April 15, 2010) – Recognized for breaking the color barrier for black reporters, Robert Churchwell will be honored in a film documenting his lifetime contributions and service to the journalism profession.
The documentary, Robert Churchwell: The Jackie Robinson of Journalism, will debut Thursday, April 22nd, during The Nashville Film Festival with a special presentation by News Channel 5’s Vicki Yates. The story will capture Churchwell’s determination to succeed at changing our nation through journalism, dedication to the Nashville community and endearment for his family.
Heralded as the first African-American to work as a reporter at a daily southern newspaper, Churchwell was hired at the conservative daily paper and now defunct, Nashville Banner, in 1950 as an attempt to attract more black readers.
Though he spent several years at the Banner, he was met with many objections. Initially, Churchwell didn’t receive a desk in the newsroom. In fact, he wrote stories from his dining room and was oftentimes excluded from staff editorial meetings. Despite these obstacles, he excelled in the field of journalism and garnered the respect of his colleagues. “He is someone who I admire for their enormous persistence in the face of odds. He came into the beginnings of his career at a time when so many doors were closed, and it never slowed him down,” said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.
Churchwell also earned several accolades as the first black member of Sigma Delta Chi’s Middle Tennessee Professional Chapter and a recipient of the Society of Professional Journalists Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award, an award last given to NBC Nightly news anchor Tom Brokaw.
“We know that the viewing audience will be inspired by the story of Robert Churchwell. Even though he faced a harsh reality, his compelling story is one that chronicles a commitment to making America a better place,” said Gloria Repress-Churchwell, founder of The Robert Churchwell Foundation.
The documentary will premiere during The Nashville Film Festival held at Regal Green Hills Cinemas, 3815 Green Hills Village Drive, Nashville, TN, 37215, Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. For ticket or showtime information, contact The Robert Churchwell Foundation at: info@TheRobertChurchwellFoundation.org.
