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.
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Pamela Bright-MoonDirectorhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm4628422/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
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Jocelyn Y. StewartWriter
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Alisa Bass CovingtonWriter
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Pamela Bright-MoonWriterhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm4628422/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
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Alisa Bass-CovingtonProducer
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Pamela Bright-MoonProducer
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Charisse Bremond-WeaverKey Cast
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Yvonne WheelerKey Cast
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Alice HarrisKey Cast
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Faith CulbreathKey Cast
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Hon. Diane E. WatsonKey Cast
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Hon. Laura RichardsonKey Cast
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Celestine PalmerKey Cast
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Joy AtkinsonKey Cast
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Hon. Emma ShariffKey Cast
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Hon. Jan PerryKey Cast
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Hon. Tasha CerdaKey Cast
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Genethia Hudley HayesKey Cast
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Hon. Sydney KamlagerKey Cast
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Hon. Holly J. MitchellKey Cast
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Areva MartinKey Cast
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Avis Ridley-ThomasKey Cast
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Hon. Tina McKinnorKey Cast
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Hon. Deborah RobertsonKey Cast
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Hon. Acquanetta WarrenKey Cast
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Kellie Todd GriffinKey Cast
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Hon. Diana BectonKey Cast
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Brenda Harbin-ForteKey Cast
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Amelia Ashley-WardKey Cast
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Julianne MalveauxKey Cast
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Hon. Yvonne Braithwaite BurkeKey Cast
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Hon. Karen BassKey Cast
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Hon. Mia BontaKey Cast
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Hon. Racquel VasquezKey Cast
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Hon. Shirley WeberKey Cast
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Hon. Jackie LaceyKey Cast
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Hon. Lori WilsonKey Cast
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Hon. Heather HuttKey Cast
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Hon. Lola Smallwood-CuevasKey Cast
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Hon. Barbara LeeKey Cast
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Dr. Donna NicolKey Cast
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:1 hour 26 minutes
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Completion Date:January 8, 2024
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Production Budget:600,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:RED
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Pan African Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
February 10, 2024
North American Premiere
Audience Award - Best Documentary -
African Diaspora International Film FestivalChicago
United States
June 14, 2024
Official Selection -
Women’s International Film Festival 2024Newark
United States
July 27, 2024
Official Selection
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.
"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.