Paul GrantDC History Conference 2025

"East of the River Film Series" Previewed at 2025 DC History Conference

Paul Grant showcased select excerpts from Part I and Part II of the upcoming “East of the River Series” documentary films at the 2025 D.C. History Conference. Held from Thursday, April 3rd, to Sunday, April 6th, the conference took place at the D.C. History Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Main Public Library in downtown Washington, D.C.

The “East of the River Series,” produced by Ascender Films, Inc. and directed by Paul Grant, is a three-part oral history and documentary film project. Generously supported by Humanities DC and the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities, the series uses first-person narratives to explore pivotal generational changes in the predominantly African-American communities of Ward 7’s 28 neighborhoods, most of which are located east of the Anacostia River. Production on the first two films began in 2014, with both scheduled for release in late summer or fall 2025.

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East of the River Series by Paul V. Grant

Part I: We Are Penn Branch

The first installment, We Are Penn Branch, captures the rich oral histories of African Americans who integrated the Penn Branch neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. (Ward 7). It spotlights the transformation of the neighborhood from an all-white enclave in the early 1960s to a thriving community of Black professionals by the late 1970s. Covering the years 1960 to 1971, the film features heartfelt interviews conducted between 2016 and 2021, sharing themes of education, love, marriage, and aging in place. This documentary offers a rare glimpse into middle-class life in Washington, D.C., near the twilight of the city’s “Chocolate City” era.

Part II: SEVEN RISING

The second film, SEVEN RISING: An Oral History of the 2024 Ward 7 D.C. Council Primary, dives into a pivotal generational moment in local political leadership. It chronicles the 2024 D.C. Council primary in Ward 7, where ten candidates competed to fill an open seat left by former Mayor Vincent Gray. Highlighting key interviews conducted during the final 30 days of the contentious primary, the film examines issues such as community disconnection, voter apathy, and political disillusionment. These themes reflect broader challenges found in national politics today.

Through these films, the “East of the River Series” not only preserves vital oral histories but also explores the deep social and political dynamics within Ward 7’s neighborhoods over the decades. Both Part I and II are eagerly anticipated for their rich storytelling and insightful perspectives


Ascender Films Launches 'Seven Rising DC' Film Project Exploring the 2024 Ward 7 Primary

SEVEN RISING : EPISODE I 


SEVEN RISING:

AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE 2024 D.C. WARD7 SEVEN COUNCIL PRIMARY

THE STORY

SEVEN RISING is an oral history and documentary series by Washington, ​D.C.-based filmmaker Paul Grant. It will explore generational changes in ​political leadership in Ward 7–a predominately African American community ​of 28 economically diverse neighborhoods in Southeast and Northeast, ​Washington, D.C.

And it will also examine how the Ward 7 community chooses its leadership. What did we get right? What did we get wrong in the 2024 election ​process? The project will examine how this local primary in a predominately ​Black community mirrors our national politics. And how this moment might ​shape the future of this area.

www.sevenrisingdc.com


WRITTEN, PRODUCED,  & DIRECTED BY

Paul Grant

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Paul Grant

Tracey Grant

EDITED BY

MIRANDA DAY-RAWLINS

FEATURING

Ebbon Allen

Wendell Felder

Roscoe Grant, Jr.

Villareal Johnson, II

Ebony Payne

Eboni-Rose Thompson

Veda Rasheed

Denise Reed

ALSO FEATURING

Ambrose Lane, Jr

Rev. Kendrick Curry

Latisha Atkins, J.D.

Dr. Marla Dean

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Paul Grant

Joseph Neal, III

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE

Joyce Oh

MADE WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM

HumanitiesDC

VISIT THE PROJECT WEBSITE


Experiential Design

Ascender Previews 'Rising Above The Smoke" Exhibition for Colorado Black Health Collaborative

DESIGN

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE

Ascender Previews New Public Health Exhibit Exploring A Century of Menthol Tobacco Marketing

EXHIBIT DESIGN

Ascender curated and designed "Rising Above The Smoke' an mobile exhibit and education-to-action platform that explores the Black community's history with menthol tobacco. It shares examples of exploitation and resilience--from forced labor in tobacco fields during slavery in the United States to the targeted marketing of menthol products during the mid 20th century this exhibit sheds light on social injustices affecting Black health.

“Rising Above The Smoke” is an exhibit that explores the Black community’s history with menthol tobacco. It shares examples of exploitation and resilience–from forced labor in tobacco fields during slavery in the United States to the targeted marketing of menthol products during the mid 20th century this exhibit sheds light on social injustices affecting Black health.

Rising Above the Smoke Exhibit (2024)

The exhibit visually builds on visual and public health themes from a successful four hour webinar that CBHC hosted in 2021. Artifacts included late 19th century hatchet and tobacco leaves, vintage tobacco advertising–including figurines and print messages from the 1980’s-the early 2000’s that featured negative, stereotypical imagery of African Americans using tobacco.

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The Art of The Visit: Storyboards & Production Design

Pre-visual concept art, storyboards and post production color and lighting FX for our award winning short film 'The Visit'. All concept art was hand drawn by writer, director Paul V. Grant.

 

The film is now available for streaming on Vimeo and YouTube.

Additional streaming platforms will be announced soon! www.ascenderfilms.com/thevisit #previsuals #storyboards #conceptart #style #vision #productiondesign #productiondesigner #paulvgrant #lighting #lightingdesign #drama #bts #filmart #directing #storytelling #production #camera #harriettubman #frederickdouglass #conceptartist #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #ascenderfilms #avidmedia #borisfx


Ascender Communications commemorates 10th year East of the Anacostia River with 'Celebrate Southeast DC' merchandise collection

In 2022 Ascender released an exclusive brand and collection of merchandise to commemorate our 10th year of being located East of the Anacostia River, in Southeast DC.

Celebrate Southeast DC  is an online store with premium athletic and street wear that celebrates the best of communities in SEDC and beyond. Our goal is simply to show love back to the community that embraced our family and our business.  See for yourself at www.celebratesoutheastdc.com


Limited Edition Framed Giclee Print From 'THE VISIT'

"Harriet's Approach" Framed, Still Image Accepted into Collection of Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center

Exclusive Print "Harriet's Approach" Donated to Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center 

On Saturday, June 25th  we were honored to have this framed, giclee print titled ‘Harriet’s Approach’, a still image from our film ‘The Visit,’ accepted into the collection of the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center in Cambridge, MD. It’s depicts Tubman, standing before a massive plantation home. It’s symbolizes the long struggle for women and people of color against massive systems of social, economic, and political power.  The Ascender team attended a hike through historic Thompson plantation where Harriet Tubman was enslaved and co-hosted a screening of our award winning film “The Visit” at the museum, later that afternoon.

It was truly a remarkable day, learning about and discussing our shared American history.   Thanks to all who joined us in Cambridge, MD for the morning hike/tour of the former Thompson plantation (where Harriet Tubman was enslaved) and our film screening at the museum!

#filmart #filmstill #limitedediton #giclee #prints #gicleeprint #art #artwork #film #indiefilm #women #filmmaking #justice #interpretative #history #community #museum #ascenderfilmsinc


"The Visit" Wins 'Best Short' Award After World Premiere at 2022 North Carolina Black Film Festival

Our short film "The Visit" earned top prize in the short film category at the 17th Annual North Carolina Black Film Festival (NCBFF) on Sunday, March 27th.  The film had it's world premiere at the Hannah Block Historic USO Building/Community Arts Center  in downtown Wilmington, NC. Director Paul Grant and Producer Tracey Grant were present at the screening and convened a post screening Q&A with the standing room only crowd. The juried film festival was sponsored by the Black Arts Alliance of Wilmington. Their mission is 'to serve as a multidisciplinary vehicle for the advancement of African-American arts and culture, the Black Arts Alliance serves as an advocate for arts and artists, nurtures emerging and veteran artistic talent, and develops new works in the performing, visual, and literary arts.'  The NCBFF screened dozens of films by African American filmmakers over three days and closed with an Award ceremony at the Cameron Art Museum. Mroe screenings and festival dates to come!


Rising Above the Smoke=Main Title Card

Rising Above The Smoke (Virtual Symposium, 2021)

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE 

(Virtual Symposium / Webinar, 2021) 

Ascender supported The Colorado Black Health Collaborative by producing this 4-hour virtual conference featuring dynamic presenters and virtual activities to deepen the  community’s understanding and advocacy for why eliminating the sale of menthol tobacco is a social justice issue in the Black community. 200 people joined the virtual event from all across the country, including many longstanding, renowed public health experts and advocates.

The Anatomy of A Social Justice Issue (Intro Video)

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE 

Flavor Academy: Dr. Terri Richardson and Dr Valerie Yerger

Dr. Terri Richardson and Dr Valerie Yerger discuss how major corporations have targeted the sale of menthol tobacco on African American communities.

Tobacco Policy Panel

Mr. Austin Collins facilitates a very informative tobacco policy panel with guest speakers Naomi Amaha, Natasha Phelps and Bob Doyle.

Rising Above the Smoke : Former Smokers Speak about their Cessation Process

Ms. Emma Jackson is a Denver resident, CBHC coalition member and a former smoker.

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE: JIM PAVLIK ON STEPS TO SMOKING CESSATION

Mr. Jim Pavlik shares the steps to smoking cessation.

RISING ABOVE THE SMOKE: Dr. Rhonda Coleman, DAOM, Discusses a brief history of alternative clinical treatments for smoking cessation.

Jonathan Miles explains the Colorado QUITLINE

Jonathan Miles explains how the Colorado QUITLINE supports smoking cessation.


Ascender Creates Main Title and Motion Design Sequences for 'The Breakdown' Digital Series on BET+

'THE BREAKDOWN ON BET+'

(Main Title Design, Editing, Motion Graphics)

Ascender Films is proud to have supported main title design, animation and motion graphics for the new BET+ digtal series 'The Breakdown', released in April 2021.  Each episiode of the four episodes takes a deeper dive into lesser known aspects of African American history and culture from an African-centered viewpoint. The show was created by executive producers Len Burnett and Darnley Hodge and it was hosted by comedian Klarity. 

We also produced the fourth and final epidsode of the first season about the Maroons--enslaved Africans in the U.S. who fought for and won their freedom.  The episode features rich commentary from celebrated historian and professor, Gerald Horne.

The Breakdown: Episode 4 (THE MAROONS)

Main Title Design, Motion Graphics & Animation

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Ascender Films, Inc Founder, Paul Grant receives 2020 Award from The Balm In Gilead, Inc.

Ascender's Founder, Creative Director Receives '2020 Special Recognition' Award from The Balm In Gilead, Inc.

We are Grateful to have received this 'Special Recognition Award' last week from The Balm In Gilead, Inc. during their annual 'Healthy Churches' Conference.  I'm equally proud that content we produced almost ten years ago has remained a source of education, inspiration and fundraising for their critical work to help communities of faith to improve health outcomes among African/ African-Africans  throughout the United States and across the Diaspora.