The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation is pleased to announce The Providence Effect a full length documentary film that traces the transformation of Providence St. Mel, an all-black inner city school on Chicago’s crime-ridden West Side, from a poor and struggling parochial school to a first rank college preparatory system has been selected at the Community Day Film for the opening of the 16th annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival February 18, 2010 at 7:15 pm. Seen through the eyes of its students, teachers, and alumni, The Providence Effect, tells the story of how one act of positive change can affect an entire community, this screening is free and open to the public. The Durham Human Relations Department and Chapel Hill Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are coming on board as sponsors of this film day this year. A reception will precede the screening at 6pm and a panel discussion with Q & A will conclude the film.
At the helm of The Providence Effect is the school’s principal, Paul J. Adams III. After orchestrating a national and local fundraising campaign to keep Providence St. Mel open nearly 30 years ago, principal Adams’ sole purpose has been to make and to keep its African-American student body a force to be reckoned with. Under Adam’s administration, the school boasts a 100% graduation and college acceptance rate, with half of its graduates attending Ivy League colleges and universities. Providence St. Mel’s success continues to be prototype for a number of pre-K through-12 educational systems across the country.
The Providence Effect is an inspiring story of triumph, determination, faith, dedication, and of how hard work inside the classroom can add up to big rewards outside the classroom.
The film features interviews with Providence students and well-known community leaders who share the same commitment to academic and social excellence that they say Providence exhibits through its no-nonsense approach to teaching and learning.
The Hayti Heritage Film Festival runs February 18-21, 2010 at the Hayti Heritage Center and is presented by the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc.
