Ferris State University’s Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning is launching a
reading project for the university and community called the “FSU Catalyst Project.”
The 2011-12 Catalyst Project kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The book selected for this academic year is “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration.” As a complement, FCTL and the Catalyst Project plan to host a showing of the award-winning documentary narrated by Cicely Tyson, “Up From the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream,” as part of the launching on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. in College of Business Room 111.
“The Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North changed America. It changed Michigan,” said Todd Stanislav, director of the FCTL. “‘Up From the Bottoms’ is a fascinating and powerful documentary about a profound and transformative period in American history; it also tells the story of an important time in Michigan history.”
“Up From the Bottoms: the Search for the American Dream,” documents the massive migration of African Americans from the rural South to the prosperous North during the World War II years and beyond as they left behind the legacy of slavery and segregation to pursue the American dream. The documentary places a particular emphasis on the migration of African Americans to western Michigan.
“‘Up from the Bottoms’ is a story of the Great Migration as told through the voices of those who came, settled and worked in the industrial city of Muskegon,” said Eunice Beck, an educational counselor and assistant professor at Ferris.
Pizza and soda will be provided beginning at 6 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., there will be an introduction of the film’s producers and directors followed by a showing of the documentary. At 8 p.m., the film’s producers and directors, Jim and Rob Schaub, will lead a discussion and answer questions about the documentary.