On These Grounds
Film Synopsis
A video goes viral, showing a white police officer in South Carolina pull a Black teenager from her school desk and throw her across the floor. Healer-Activist Vivian Anderson uproots her life in New York City to move to South Carolina to support the girl and dismantle the system behind the assault at Spring Valley, including facing the police officer. Adding context, geographer Janae Davis treks the surrounding swamps and encounters the homes of formerly enslaved people of African descent, connecting the past to the present. Against the backdrop of a racial reckoning and its deep historical roots, one incident illuminates how Black girls, with the support of organizers, are creating a more just and equitable future for themselves and our entire education system.
Screenings
Sep 26, 2024
Presented by San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum
San Antonio, TX
May 12, 2024
Presented by Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival
Hot Springs, AR
Malco Theatre
817 Central Avenue
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Mar 11, 2024
Presented by The Colorado Coalition for Restorative Justice Practices (CCRJP)
Boulder, CO
Q&A with film participant Vivian Anderson.
Mar 6, 2024
Presented by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy
Washington, DC
Q&A with film participant Vivian Anderson
Nov 18, 2023
Presented by United Church, UCC-DOC, Inc. and St. Augustine Quakers
St. Augustine, FL
Oct 12, 2023
Presented by Social Justice Film Festival
Seattle, WA
Q&A with Film Participant Niya Kenny.
Sep 29, 2023
Presented by Kean University Restorative Justice in Education Grant
Union, NJ
Sep 23, 2023
The Summer Camp Society & Camp Stomping Ground’s Restorative Justice Conference
Middle Grove, NY
More Info
Private Event
Jul 20, 2023
Presented by CoolineKids
East Palo Alto, CA
Private Event
May 2, 2023
Presented by Rockford University Forum Series and Education Department
Rockford, IL
Q&A with film participants Vivian Anderson and Shakara.
Apr 21, 2023
Presented by Women’s Equity Center and Action Network (WE CAN)
Prince Geoge's County, MD
Apr 13, 2023
Presented by Sister to Sister International (STSI)
Yonkers, NY
Mar 10, 2023
Presented by Concerned Citizens for Justice
Chattanooga, TN
Mar 7, 2023
Presented by Boston Teachers Union
Boston, MA
Feb 22, 2023
Presented by Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA
Private Event
Feb 2, 2023
Presented by University of South Carolina Law School, Juvenile Justice Seminar
Columbia, SC
Jan 19, 2023
4:30 PM
Presented by Gwen’s Girls & The University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Jan 15, 2023
Presented by Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Baltimore, MD
Nov 16, 2022
7:00 PM
Presented by Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium
Selma, AL
This event is virtual.
Nov 15, 2022
Presented by Boston College of Education
Boston, MA
Gasson Hall 210, featuring a post screening panel with Professor Elianny Edwards, Assistant Dean Ashana Hurd, and Dr. Raquel Muñiz.
Nov 1, 2022
Presented by Naperville School District and PTAs, Parent Diversity Advisory Committee
Naperville, IL
Private Event
Sep 23, 2022
2:00 PM
Presented by Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival
Atlanta, GA
Jul 15, 2022
Presented by Black Women’s Roundtable & Black Youth Vote
Orlando, FL
More Info
Private Event
Jul 1, 2022
Presented by the South Carolina Academy for Criminal Justice
Columbia, SC
Private Event
Jun 29, 2022
8:30 PM
Presented by Young Activist Coalition
Cincinnati, OH
May 26, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by Fort Collins Community Action Network
Fort Collins, CO
May 24, 2022
1:00 PM
Presented by Grassroots Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Private Event
May 19, 2022
Presented by FAST
Panel discussion with Represent Justice CEO Daniel Forkkio and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Private Event
Apr 28, 2022
Presented by Root & Rebound, Black Liberation Fund, South Carolina for Restorative Justice and South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform
Mt Pleasant , SC
Private Event
Apr 28, 2022
7:30 PM
Presented by the Tulane University, Violence Prevention Institute
New Orleans, LA
Apr 26, 2022
Presented by Root & Rebound, Black Liberation Fund, South Carolina for Restorative Justice and South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform
Mt. Pleasant, SC
More Info
Private Event
Apr 26, 2022
Presented by University of Georgia School of Law American Constitution Society (ACS)
Athens, GA
More Info
Private Event
Apr 26, 2022
Presented by Georgetown Law, American Constitution Society
Washington, DC
Private Event
Apr 23, 2022
Presented by #Onebody
Buffalo, NY
Apr 19, 2022
5:30 PM
Presented by Providence Children’s Festival
Providence, RI
Q&A with director Garrett Zevgetis and a representative from the Providence Student Union.
Apr 16, 2022
Presented by Underground Grit
Los Angeles, CA
Apr 13, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by the University of Missouri School of Law, American Constitution Society
Columbia, MO
Apr 11, 2022
7:30 PM
Presented by the Somerville Theatre & Justice for Flavia
Somerville, MA
Panel discussion with Hon. Jay Blitzman and Flavia Peréa.
Apr 9, 2022
2:45 PM
Presented by the Movies That Matter Film Festival
The Hague, The Netherlands
Panel discussion with director Garrett Zevgetis and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Apr 6, 2022
4:30 PM
Presented by the University of Georgia School of Law, American Constitution Society
Athens, GA
Q&A with Niya Kenny.
Apr 4, 2022
4:00 PM
Presented by the University of South Carolina Humanities Collaborative
Columbia, SC
Q&A with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Apr 3, 2022
Presented by Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Salina
Salina, KS
Private Event
Mar 31, 2022
Presented by the League of Women Voters of Illinois
Multiple Locations, IL
More Info
Private Event
Mar 30, 2022
Presented by Root & Rebound
Greenville , SC
Private Event
Mar 30, 2022
6:30 PM
Presented by the Roxie
San Francisco, CA
Panel discussion with producer Ariana Garfinkel, restorative justice leader and film participant Aeiramique Glass Blake, and behavioral health coach Jason Gant.
Mar 28, 2022
5:00 PM
Presented by the African American Policy Forum, Her Dream Deferred Series
New York, NY
Panel with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson, Niya Kenny, Alexa Harmon-Thomas, Shandrae Murphy-Washington, and moderated by Dr. Venus Evans-Winters. Introduction by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Watch the panel.
Mar 28, 2022
Presented by Saint Mary’s College of California, Justice, Community and Leadership Department
Moraga, CA
Panel discussion with producer Ariana Garfinkel, Niya Kennt, and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Private Event
Mar 25, 2022
Presented by Columbia University School of Law, Education Law and Policy Society
New York, NY
Private Event
Mar 25, 2022
Presented by the League of Women Voters Illinois
Multiple Cities, IL
Panel discussion with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Private Event
Mar 25, 2022
Presented by Madrone High School
San Rafael, CA
Private Event
Mar 25, 2022
Presented by Creighton University School of Law, American Constitution Society
Omaha, NE
Private Event
Mar 22, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by Framingham State University
Framingham, MA
Panel discussion with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Mar 19, 2022
12:00 PM
Presented by Brother, Sons, Selves
Los Angeles, CA
Panel discussion with young people across LA organizing to abolish police and transform education.
Mar 17, 2022
Presented by NAACP DuPage County
DuPage, IL
Private Event
Mar 12, 2022
Presented by the YSRP
Philadelphia, PA
Private Event
Mar 11, 2022
Presented by Berkeley High School, Universal 9th Grade Ethnic Studies
Berkeley, CA
Private Event
Mar 10, 2022
Presented by Congressman Bill Foster
Naperville, IL
Private Event
Mar 10, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by Strom Law Firm
Columbia, SC
Panel discussion with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson and Professor Josh Gupta-Kagan.
Mar 5, 2022
Presented by the Youth Justice Summit
San Diego, CA
Mar 5, 2022
Presented by Deerfield Academy
Deerfield, MA
Private Event
Mar 4, 2022
Presented by a private individual
Los Angeles, CA
Private Event
Mar 3, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by In Our Names Network
Detroit, MI
Panel discussion with Shakara, Niya Kenny, and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Mar 1, 2022
Presented by Pittsburgh Book Club and Friends
Pittsburgh , PA
Private Event
Mar 1, 2022
Presented by Sarah Lawrence College, Art of Teaching
New York, NY
Private Event
Feb 28, 2022
Presented by the American University Washington College of Law
Washington, DC
Private Event
Feb 27, 2022
11:00 AM
Presented by Providence Children’s Film Festival
Providence, RI
Panel discussion with director Garrett Zevgetis and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Feb 27, 2022
4:00 PM
Presented by the California Film Institute
San Rafael, CA
Panel discussion with youth leaders.
Feb 26, 2022
Presented by Mt. Lebanon Organization for Racial Equity (M.O.R.E.)
Mt. Lebanon, PA
Private Event
Feb 24, 2022
Presented by the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Minneapolis, MN
Private Event
Feb 20, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent School of Law
Chicago, IL
Panel with Niya Kenny, founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson, Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union Stacy Davis Gates, Senior Legal & Policy Advisor for Justice Reform Michelle Mbekeani, Adjunct Professor Nancy Krent, and retired Chicago Public School Principal Dana Butler.
Feb 20, 2022
Presented by Jack and Jill of America Inc., Far West Region
Multiple Cities, CA
Private Event
Feb 18, 2022
Presented by the Boston College High School, Students Organizing Against Racism (SOAR)
Boston, MA
Private Event
Feb 18, 2022
Presented by Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Private Event
Feb 16, 2022
Presented by the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School
New York, NY
Private Event
Feb 15, 2022
Presented by Boston College High School, Students Organizing Against Racism (SOAR)
Boston, MA
Private Event
Feb 14, 2022
Presented by Maryville University, Office of Diversity & Inclusion
St. Louis, MO
Private Event
Feb 10, 2022
6:30 PM
Presented by URBAN.Boston
Boston, MA
Presented by Wellesley College Project on Public Leadership and the UMass Boston John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs.
Conversation with Dr. Mark Warren, founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson, director Garrett Zevgetis, and youth leaders.
Feb 10, 2022
Presented by Changemaker Series
Naperville, IL
Private Event
Feb 10, 2022
6:30 PM
Presented by FilmScene & Black Lives Matter at School Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Panel with Niya Kenny.
Feb 9, 2022
6:00 PM
Presented by the University of South Carolina School of Law, Black Law Students Association
Columbia, SC
Panel with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson, professor Josh Gupta-Kagan, and professor Walter Shawn McDaniels.
Feb 8, 2022
Santa Clara University School of Law, American Constitution Society & Women and Law Association
Santa Clara, CA
Private Event
Feb 7, 2022
6:30 PM
Presented by the Alaska Black Caucus & Bear Tooth Theatrepub
Anchorage, AK
Panel with Niya Kenny and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Feb 5, 2022
Presented by Association for Positive Behavioral Support, Board Members
Multiple Locations, PA
More Info
Private Event
Jan 31, 2022
6:15 PM
Presented by Texas A&M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Jan 31, 2022
Presented by Indian Prairie School District 204
Naperville, IL
Private Event
Jan 28, 2022
Presented by Senator Laura Ellman
Naperville, IL
Private Event
Jan 20, 2022
Presented by Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent School of Law
Chicago, IL
Panel discussion featuring Niya Kenny, Vivian Anderson, founder of EveryBlackGirl, Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union Stacy Davis Gates, Senior Legal & Policy Advisor for Justice Reform Michelle Mbekeani, Adjunct Professor Nancy Krent, and retired CPS Principal Dana Butler.
Jan 14, 2022
Presented by Girls for Gender Equity
Brooklyn, NY
Private Event
Jan 5, 2022
Presented by Archie Williams High School
San Anselmo, CA
Private Event
Jan 5, 2022
Presented by Association for Positive Behavioral Support, Board Members
Bloomsburg, PA
Private Event
Dec 27, 2021
6:00 PM
Presented by Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers
Glen Burnie, MD
Panel with Niya Kenny and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Dec 17, 2021
Presented by Prospect Hill Academy
Cambridge, MA
Private Event
Dec 15, 2021
Presented by Strategies for Youth
Salt Lake City, UT
Private Event
Dec 13, 2021
Presented by Unity Partnership
DuPage, IL
Private Event
Dec 13, 2021
6:00 PM
Presented by Represent Justice
Los Angeles, CA
Panel with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson, Niya Kenny, and author and Director of the Georgetown University Juvenile Justice Clinic & Institute Kris Henning.
Dec 13, 2021
Presented by Oakland Unified School District
Oakland, CA
Private Event
Dec 9, 2021
6:30 PM
Presented by the Berkeley FILM Foundation
Oakland, CA
Panel with producer Ariana Garfinkel, Executive Director of Summit Public Schools Kacy Robinson, and Founding Director of Moving Forward Education Elana Metz.
Dec 9, 2021
Presented by Trenton Public Schools, Ninth Grade Academy
Trenton, NJ
Private Event
Dec 9, 2021
Presented by Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts
Orange, NJ
Private Event
Dec 8, 2021
Presented by Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville, IL
Private Event
Dec 5, 2021
7:00 PM
Presented by National Black Lives Matter At School
New York, NY
Panel with Niya Kenny.
Dec 4, 2021
12:00 AM
Presented by Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF)
Anchorage, AK
Q&A with producer Ariana Garfinkel.
Dec 3, 2021
5:30 PM
Presented by the National Campaign for Police Free Schools
Prince George's County, MD
Presented by Tenants & Workers United, Black Swan Academy, DefundNOVA, PG ChangeMakers Youth Division, Young People for Progress, and MoCo Against Brutality
Panel with Niya Kenny and youth leaders.
Dec 1, 2021
Presented by Curie High School
Chicago, IL
Private Event
Nov 18, 2021
7:00 PM
Presented by Community Voices for Public Education
Houston, TX
Panel with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Nov 17, 2021
6:00 PM
Presented by the Lawyers Committee for Children’s Rights & Nickelodeon Theatre
Columbia, SC
Panel with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson, Niya Kenny, and professor Walter Shawn McDaniels.
Nov 15, 2021
6:00 PM
Presented by Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Seattle, WA
Q&A with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Nov 11, 2021
Presented by Furman University Justice Forum
Greenville, SC
Q&A with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Nov 8, 2021
Presented by Curie High School
Chicago, IL
Private Event
Nov 5, 2021
Presented by the California State PTA, Health and Community Concerns Commission
Sacramento, CA
Private Event
Oct 31, 2021
Presented by Justice for Black Girls Means EveryBlackGirl 2021 Virtual Conference
Columbia, SC
Panel with with Niya Kenny.
Private Event
Oct 28, 2021
6:00 PM
Presented by National Network for Justice
Milford, DE
Q&A with founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Oct 26, 2021
5:15 PM
Presented by Democratic Attorneys General Association
Lansing, MI
Panel with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart, and Education Civil Rights Alliance Director Miriam Rollin. Moderated by Represent Justice CEO Daniel Forkkio. Learn more about their work in the links above.
Watch the panel discussion.
Oct 25, 2021
Presented by an Evanston Community Group & Juvenile Justice Initiative
Evanston, IL
Private Event
Oct 22, 2021
Presented by Cinemagic Film Festival
Belfast
Panel with Niya Kenny and producer Ariana Garfinkel.
Watch the panel discussion.
Oct 18, 2021
12:00 PM
Presented by Education Justice Alliance
Durham, NC
Panel with North Carolina students.
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Atascadero
Atascadero, CA
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Victorian
Sparks, NV
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Carson City
Carson City, NV
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by La Gran Plaza 8
Fort Worth, TX
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Cine America Houston
Houston, TX
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine Palladium 15
Birmingham, MI
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Boulevard Mall
Las Vegas, NV
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Lakeville 21
Lakeville, MN
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine East Bethel
East Bethel, MN
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine Portage
Portage, IN
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine Canton
Canton, MI
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine Noblesville
Noblesville, IN
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine Novi 17 + Super EMAX
Novi, MI
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Cinema Chatham
Chicago, IL
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Quality 10
Saginaw, MI
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Emagine Birch Run
Birch Run, MI
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Porterville
Poterville, CA
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by White Bear Township 17
White Bear Lake, MN
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Monticello 21
Monticello, MN
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Mission Grove
Riverside, CA
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Rogers 18 Theatre
Rogers, MN
Sep 27, 2021
Galaxy Theatres Grandscape
The Colony, TX
Sep 27, 2021
Presented by Galaxy Theatres Austin
Austin, TX
Sep 23, 2021
7:00 PM
Presented by Emerson College Bright Lights Film Series
Boston, MA
Panel discussion with director Garrett Zevgetis, cinematographer Christopher Lewis Dawkins, executive producer Kevin Bright, and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Watch the panel.
Sep 9, 2021
Presented by Skyline Indie Film Fest
Winchester, VA
Jul 21, 2021
Presented by the Giffoni Film Festival
Giffoni, Italy
May 6, 2021
Presented by the Independent Film Festival Boston
Boston, MA
Winner of a Special Jury Award
Panel with director Garrett Zevgetis, producer and editor Jeff Consiglio, and founder of EveryBlackGirl Vivian Anderson.
Watch the panel.
May 6, 2021
Presented by the Milwaukee Film Festival
Milwaukee, WI
Mar 17, 2021
Presented by the South by Southwest Film Festival
Austin, TX
World Premiere
Take Action
Join local and national efforts to end the over-policing of students, and invest in school-based counselors and mental health staff, as well as practices that create supportive, safe learning environments where students can thrive.
Support EveryBlackGirl, Inc.
Your donation allows EveryBlackGirl, Inc. to support Black girls around the country who experience trauma caused by over-policing.
Contact Your Representative
Tell your elected officials to support The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which would prohibit the use of federal funds for police in schools and help schools hire counselors, social workers, and support staff.
Change South Carolina's Youth Justice System
The South Carolina Juvenile Justice Reform Act, or S.53, would overhaul the state’s youth justice system. The proposed bill would vastly decrease the number of children who enter into the custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
Look Up Data on Your School District
Use a guide from the Education Civil Rights Alliance to look up your school district’s public data on racial and disability disparities in discipline, including suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement.
Connect With Organizers
Join #PoliceFreeSchools, a national campaign led by the Advancement Project and Alliance for Educational Justice, and connect with their local partner organizations in your city or town.
Download The Discussion Guide
Download the film’s discussion guide with additional resources and discussion prompts to help plan a screening and discussion.
Request A Speaker
Request one of the film participants to speak at your next screening or event!
About
Credits
Directed by Garrett Zevgetis
Produced by Ariana Garfinkel, Jeff Consiglio, Chico Colvard
Original Music by Chanda Dancy
Edited by Jeff Consiglio
Co-Editor Chrystie Martinez Gouz
Executive Producers: Kevin S. Bright, Ian Brownell
Associate Producers: Aisha Hallgren, Madison O’Leary, Eddie Wilson, Hong Zhu Cinematography by Alexandre Naufel, Christopher Lewis Dawkins, Pablo Durana, Ryan Miyamoto, Laura Kissel, Vanessa Carr
Produced by Ariana Garfinkel, Jeff Consiglio, Chico Colvard
Original Music by Chanda Dancy
Edited by Jeff Consiglio
Co-Editor Chrystie Martinez Gouz
Executive Producers: Kevin S. Bright, Ian Brownell
Associate Producers: Aisha Hallgren, Madison O’Leary, Eddie Wilson, Hong Zhu Cinematography by Alexandre Naufel, Christopher Lewis Dawkins, Pablo Durana, Ryan Miyamoto, Laura Kissel, Vanessa Carr
Impact Campaign
Today, police officers patrol the hallways of over half of American schools with very little vetting or oversight. Students — most often students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students — receive infractions from officers for adolescent behaviors that historically were addressed by school administrators, increasing the rate of suspensions, expulsions, and arrests of young people. Hundreds of thousands of young people are pushed out of schools and into the carceral system through police interaction at school.
Represent Justice is leading an impact campaign for On These Grounds along with the filmmakers, film participants, non-profit and advocacy organizations, and system-impacted leaders. Through screenings and speaking events, we are working to shift the narrative around safety in US schools, while generating demand for removing police from our schools and investing in school-based resources for students and educators.