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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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