Race, Immigration, & the American Dream

A YouTube series joining six different multi-generational families around the dinner table to discuss race, immigration, and the American Dream.

6

families

6

months

30

videos
"I think that the American Dream is hogwash, because people are too willing to let it be usurped." - Quote from Johnice Orduna in Your Fellow Americans Repass Family video number 4 of 4

about the series:

Your Fellow Americans is a YouTube documentary series discussing Race, Immigration, and the American Dream. The six-month pilot series joined multiple generations of six different families as they discussed their American experience around the dinner table. Each family interviewed resulted in four videos of 4-8 minutes in length, with one video being released online each Monday over the course of six months.

Outside of the videos of the six family, the series also filmed a round-table discussion at a black-owned barbershop, held a walk-n-talk conversation with Kansas City Mayor Sly James, and hosted a panel discussion at the historic Gem Theatre.

I created and successfully pitched the project to Kansas City PBS, as well as wearing the filming, editing, and director hats. Nathaniel Bozarth was Producer & Narrator. Marvita Oliver was Associate Producer.

"You talk about a disparity of wealth? I think there’s a disparity of desire in this country today." Quote from Michael Shafé in Your Fellow Americans Shafé Family video number 4 of 4
Where do we go from here? – Mayor James #8/8

Where do we go from here? – Mayor James #8/8

Experiencing Racism: Diamond Cuts #2/9

Experiencing Racism: Diamond Cuts #2/9

Define the American Dream? Diamond Cuts #3/9

Define the American Dream? Diamond Cuts #3/9

Mad at each other:  Diamond Cuts #4/9

Mad at each other: Diamond Cuts #4/9

George Zimmerman Riots: Diamond Cuts #5/9

George Zimmerman Riots: Diamond Cuts #5/9

Breaking Point: Diamond Cuts #6/9

Breaking Point: Diamond Cuts #6/9

Better or Worse: Diamond Cuts #7/9

Better or Worse: Diamond Cuts #7/9

More drugs. More crime. It’s worse:  Diamond Cuts #8/9

More drugs. More crime. It’s worse: Diamond Cuts #8/9

Worse than 25 years ago: Diamond Cuts #9/9

Worse than 25 years ago: Diamond Cuts #9/9

"My American Dream is just to make my parents proud, and to show them that it was worth it - everything they did to come over here." Quote from Tanzeem Malek in Your Fellow Americans Malek Family video number 3 of 4