Cicely Tyson to narrate GVSU documentary

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Emmy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson will narrate the Grand Valley State University documentary, "Up From the Bottoms: African American Migration to Muskegon, Michigan."

Tyson’s credits include "Roots," "The Rosa Parks Story," "Fried Green Tomatoes,” and countless other television shows and movies. Tyson is particularly known for her loyalty to only portraying strong, positive images of black women. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the1972 film “Sounder,” and earned two Emmys for her 1974 portrayal of a 110-year-old former slave in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.”

Tyson will be on campus on Wednesday, October 22, at 4:30 p.m. for a Q&A with students. The event, in the Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, is free and open to the public, though space is limited. Media are welcome to attend, though interviews will not be granted by Ms. Tyson.

The Grand Valley-sponsored documentary is being produced and directed by Jim and Rod Schaub of Clear Vision Films. Jim is on staff and teaches in the School of Communications at Grand Valley and Rod is a music educator at Mona Shores Schools in Muskegon. 

“We couldn’t be happier to have Ms. Tyson involved in this important project,” said Jim Schaub. “It is truly a tribute to the lives and struggles of these people that Ms. Tyson agreed to lend her voice to this effort.”

The film explores the struggles of people from the South, who came to Muskegon, Michigan, for industrial jobs related to World War II. They settled mostly in two areas, Muskegon Heights and a low-lying area north of downtown Muskegon, sometimes referred to as "the Bottoms."

"We've heard amazing stories about the challenges they faced moving into this new area, far away from their homes in the south,” said Schaub.

The documentary film is part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. It will feature the history of a group of people who helped shaped that community and its culture, including the popularity of R&B and jazz clubs that drew people from outside areas. It will also explore the racial climate of the times.

In addition to capturing and preserving this important segment of history, the film serves as a tremendous learning tool before, during and after production. Grand Valley students have helped to collect oral histories from more than 15 people, now in their 80s, who settled in Muskegon. Interviews, historical footage and possible reenactments will be included in the documentary.

When finished, the film will be premiered both in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, with panel discussions following some of the screenings. REMC/MiStreamnet, a division of the Discovery Channel will distribute the finished documentary to schools throughout Michigan. A social studies curriculum with companion materials for middle and high school will be designed in conjunction with the film.

“Though we have been fortunate to receive some funding from the university and grants from the Michigan Humanities Council, the Community Foundation for Muskegon and Alcoa Howmet, we still need additional funds to complete the film,” said Schaub. “We welcome donations of any size.”

For more information about the documentary visit www.upfromthebottoms.com , or call Jim Schaub in the School of Communications at (616) 331-3633. For more information about the Q&A, contact Oliver Wilson, dean of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at (616) 331-2177.