Defending Our Stories: Inside Black Public Media with Leslie Fields-Cruz (Part 2)

🎙️ Episode 14Defending Our Stories: Inside Black Public Media with Leslie Fields-Cruz (Part 2)In Part 2 of Rita Coburn’s conversation with Leslie Fields-Cruz, we go beyond funding and filmmaking to explore the deeper question: Why do stories matter?Leslie shares her personal journey from a family of educators to becoming one of the most influential advocates for Black storytelling in America. Through her leadership at Black Public Media, she has helped filmmakers bring important stories to audiences while ensuring that Black history, culture, and lived experiences are documented, preserved, and shared.Together, Rita and Leslie discuss the power of documentary film, the importance of representation, and why history must be actively preserved rather than passively inherited. From discovering Black cinema as a student to supporting groundbreaking filmmakers across generations, Leslie reflects on the work of making sure our stories remain visible and accessible.This episode is a reminder that history is not only something we study. It is something we create every day.🔍 What You'll Hear in This EpisodeLeslie Fields-Cruz's journey into media and storytellingHow a family of educators shaped her missionThe impact of discovering Black film history as a studentWhy documentaries help us understand ourselves and our communitiesThe role of Black Public Media in supporting filmmakersThe importance of preserving Black history through visual storytellingHow local history can inspire new generationsWhy representation matters in media and cultureThe connection between education, art, and social change🧠 Key ThemesBlack storytellingDocumentary filmmakingBlack Public MediaRepresentation in mediaEducation and cultural preservationIndependent filmmakingCommunity historyBlack arts and cultureHistorical memoryVisual storytelling💬 A Defining Idea from This EpisodeHistory survives when people are willing to document it, preserve it, and share it. Every generation has a responsibility to tell its stories and protect the stories that came before.📣 Resources / Links Watch THS Episodehttps://youtu.be/46o542zZvU4 Learn more about Black Public Media and help fund future storytellers and documentaries https://blackpublicmedia.org/donate/Explore Black Public Media grants, fellowships, and funding opportunities for filmmakers and creators https://blackpublicmedia.org/programs/ Watch W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause on American Masters (available through June 16, 2026) https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/Watch the W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQMTranscript available here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323Watch Our Truth, Our History, Our Story on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240Listen to the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodesStay connected with Rita Coburn https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmediaUpcoming events and screenings https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-eventsDownload event photos https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photosSocial Media Toolkit https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit🎬 About the SeriesOur Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling today.👥 Production CreditsHost: Rita Coburn Executive Producer: Andrew T. Carr Producers: Christine Coburn Whack, H. Lee Whack