RISE Documentary: A Documentary on Austin’s Black Freedom Communities
Explore RISE, a documentary honoring the untold histories of Austin’s Black freedom communities.
Learn about the filmmakers, watch the trailer, and discover how you can host a screening or access the educational lesson plan.
Austin Public Library - George Washington Caver Museum
A Story Rooted in Legacy
RISE is more than a film—it’s a powerful record of resilience. Directed and produced by Austinites Funmi Ogunro and Stephanie Lang, this documentary traces the overlooked histories of Austin’s Black freedom communities.
These neighborhoods—founded by formerly enslaved people—formed the cultural backbone of the city. Through personal narratives, archival images, and expert insight, RISE gives voice to the families who built and sustained these communities despite systemic barriers. From Clarksville to Gregorytown, each story told in RISE is an act of preservation and truth-telling. This film brings their legacy forward with honesty, care, and urgency.
About the Film
In 2018, after the success of a short film on East 12th Street’s business corridor, Stephanie Lang and Funmi Ogunro began work on what would become RISE.
Their vision: to create a feature-length documentary that uncovers the forgotten legacies of Austin’s Black freedom communities.
Key facts:
- Developed over 5 years of research and filming
- Features descendants of original freedom settlers and community voices
- Informed by academic historians and cultural experts
- Focuses on historic neighborhoods such as Masontown, Waterston, Clarksville, and Red River
RISE blends personal storytelling with historical context to educate and inspire viewers across generations.
RISE ATX Filmmakers
Meet the Filmmakers
Funmi Ogunro
Director, Executive Producer, Editor
An Austin native with Nigerian and Midwestern roots, Funmi brings a personal lens to the story.
Her dedication to uplifting community voices shapes the film’s emotional depth and clarity.
Stephanie L. Lang
Executive Producer
A seventh-generation Austinite and longtime historian of Black Austin, Stephanie’s connection to these communities runs deep.
Her research and lived experience serve as the foundation of the documentary.
Additional Production Team
Tamar Price
Producer
Cullen Cooper
Producer
Javier Wallace
Associate Producer
Consultants and Advisors
Dr. Tara Dudley
Architectural Historian
Dr. Andrea Roberts
Founder, Texas Freedom Colonies Project
Cynthia Evans
Community Historian
Terry Meyers
Historical Consultant
Bob Ward
Genealogical Researcher
Together, the production and consulting team ensured that RISE presents a historically accurate, community-centered, and emotionally compelling story grounded in lived experiences and academic research.
We are currently in production. If you’d like to make a donation, click here.
Community Reflections
Bring RISE into the Classroom
Explore our downloadable lesson plan—designed to help educators connect students with the themes of the film.
Support the Mission
Your support helps us preserve, document, and share these essential histories.
Are you a school, organization, or community group interested in screening RISE?
Contact us to learn more about hosting a showing or accessing the film for educational use.
