Private Project

Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics

Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics is a feature length documentary film, which explores the significant contributions of African American women in leadership in the areas of politics, labor, and community activism in the State of California. Although California is currently known for being a liberal state that has not always been its history.

Our documentary explores the rise of Black women in California politics and the road they paved to achieve success. Our story unfolds to show the obstacles, the challenges, the ambition and aspirations of the women achievers over the decades to our current day leadership envisioned through the lives of living and deceased Black female elected officials, their counterparts in Labor organizations and in the “Mothers” of the Community who are on parallel journeys. The film will highlight their courage, sacrifices, and achievements for the betterment of their communities, cities and throughout the state of California as a whole.

Immersed in the films timeline is the backdrop of the existential circumstances of the day. Each decade in the last sixty years has had its own set of challenges, wars, poverty, racial uprisings, presenting each bill, each vote, each march, each decision with its own set of residual fallout which could affect the communities they represent for years to come. California has sent more women of color to the House and Senate than any other state. Respect My Crown intends to show the role of intersectionality in politics and public service in the state of California. The film also serves an archival project of the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI), a non-partisan public policy center at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

  • Pamela Bright-Moon
    Director
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4628422/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
  • Jocelyn Y. Stewart
    Writer
  • Alisa Bass Covington
    Writer
  • Pamela Bright-Moon
    Writer
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4628422/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
  • Alisa Bass-Covington
    Producer
  • Pamela Bright-Moon
    Producer
  • Charisse Bremond-Weaver
    Key Cast
  • Yvonne Wheeler
    Key Cast
  • Alice Harris
    Key Cast
  • Faith Culbreath
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Diane E. Watson
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Laura Richardson
    Key Cast
  • Celestine Palmer
    Key Cast
  • Joy Atkinson
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Emma Shariff
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Jan Perry
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Tasha Cerda
    Key Cast
  • Genethia Hudley Hayes
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Sydney Kamlager
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Holly J. Mitchell
    Key Cast
  • Areva Martin
    Key Cast
  • Avis Ridley-Thomas
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Tina McKinnor
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Deborah Robertson
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Acquanetta Warren
    Key Cast
  • Kellie Todd Griffin
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Diana Becton
    Key Cast
  • Brenda Harbin-Forte
    Key Cast
  • Amelia Ashley-Ward
    Key Cast
  • Julianne Malveaux
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Yvonne Braithwaite Burke
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Karen Bass
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Mia Bonta
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Racquel Vasquez
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Shirley Weber
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Jackie Lacey
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Lori Wilson
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Heather Hutt
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
    Key Cast
  • Hon. Barbara Lee
    Key Cast
  • Dr. Donna Nicol
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 26 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 8, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    600,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Pan African Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 10, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Audience Award - Best Documentary
  • African Diaspora International Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    June 14, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Women’s International Film Festival 2024
    Newark
    United States
    July 27, 2024
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Pamela Bright-Moon

With a flurry of film projects in recent years, Pamela Bright-Moon has taken her career as a behind the scenes Broadcast Engineer to new heights, directing her first feature documentary film, “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women In California Politics.” Bright-Moon began her career in the mailroom at then CBS Television City. When she retired in 2019, she was the only Black woman master control engineer in satellite transmission. In 2006, Pamela began With Grace Productions, (named after her grandmother Grace Lee) which specialized in producing video projects for nonprofits, local elected officials, and church organizations. As With Grace’s client base grew, so did the caliber of material and opportunities for creating long form films. In addition to the numerous video projects under her belt, since 2011 Pamela has produced 3 short films and 3 feature documentaries. A native of Los Angeles, CA and the mother of 2 adult sons, Bright-Moon holds a Master Degree in Art History, Theory and Criticism, from Azusa Pacific University, is currently a Commissioner on the L.A. County Arts Commission and is the Managing Partner of Moon Global Studios and Executive Director of Moon Global Foundation.

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Director Statement

"Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women In California Politics" is more than just a film to me. It is a platform to honor and share the incredible journeys of African American women leaders throughout California. These women have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. Their stories are a testament to resilience, strength, and the relentless pursuit of justice and equality.

Directing this documentary has been a privilege. It has given me the opportunity to highlight the significant contributions of African American women in politics and inspire others to recognize the power and potential within their own communities. I hope that this film not only educates but also empowers viewers to support and uplift the voices of African American women in leadership.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Together, we can celebrate and respect the crown that these remarkable women wear.