Join us for a special a post-film conversation with local community leaders.

An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie’s abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing ‘Mister’ Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.

About the Panel

	Abena Sankofa Imhotep Abena Sankofa Imhotep is an author, scholar, and human rights advocate whose work celebrates Africana, challenges historical narratives, and champions education. She creates lifelong learning spaces through Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group, The Imhotep Report, and Black & Privileged in America Podcast. She is also a TEDx speaker, a member of the Iowa Speakers Bureau and the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, and a Leadership Iowa fellow. An alumna of Drake University, Abena has received numerous honors including the prestigious Iowa Author Award and was a 2026 Inspiring Women of Iowa finalist. At the heart of Abena’s work is a belief that community grows when we come together, honor our differences, and remember the humanity we share across cultures, histories, and generations.
	Dana James Dana James is an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and trailblazer in Iowa’s Black media landscape, whose work has helped document, shape, and elevate the stories of Black Iowans for decades. Born and raised in Des Moines, she founded Black Iowa News in 2020 and the Black Iowa Newspaper in 2023, building platforms that center Black voices, celebrate community achievements, and bring greater visibility to the people and issues shaping Black life across Iowa. A graduate of Grand View University with a B.A. in Journalism and secretary of the Iowa Association of Black Journalists, Dana is widely regarded as one of Iowa’s leading voices in Black journalism, carrying forward a tradition of journalism rooted in truth, representation, community, and service.
	Cynthia Hunafa Cynthia Hunafa is a lifelong educator, community leader, and advocate who taught with Des Moines Public Schools for 24 years and served as Chief Operating Officer of Creative Visions for nine years. Her commitment to community, social justice, and the arts spans decades through her work with Concerned Citizens for Justice, Capital City Steppers, and Gateway Dance Theatre, where she has been a performing member for more than 40 years, as well as volunteer service with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank of Iowa, and the Des Moines Arts Festival. Cynthia enjoys gardening, quilting, nature walks, camping, travel, art, museums, and jazz, and most of all, time with people who bring creative, positive energy to the world; she is also a proud mother of four, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of three.
	Breanne Ward Breanne Ward is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and nationally certified rehabilitation counselor with a Master’s in Counseling from Drake University and a Bachelor’s in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University, specializing in youth development. She founded ForWard Consulting, LLC in 2014 and has expanded its work to include trauma-informed mental health services for adolescents and adults, with expertise in CBT, EMDR, and trauma-focused practices, while also serving as a state trainer for Iowa HHS and mentoring and leading in the areas of inclusion, wellness, and community change. Recognized as a United Way Live United Leader and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses graduate, Breanne brings a commitment to empowering individuals and communities through healing, culturally relevant engagement, and lasting change.
	Courtney Guein-Johnson Courtney Guein-Johnson is a photographer, creative storyteller, and founder of Saloni Soul, a cultural magazine centered on self-expression, community, fashion, movement, and storytelling. A Drake University graduate with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Rhetoric, Media and Social Change, she has built a career across media and community-centered creative work, with a focus on representation and identity. Through her storytelling, Courtney creates space for people, particularly within Black communities, to see their experiences, voices, and identity reflected and celebrated, using culture and creativity as powerful tools for connection, self-expression, and community.