This stunning ten-part documentary series from director Steve James offers a profound examination of diversity and equity at Oak Park and River Forest High School in Chicago. With incredible access to the school—home to over 3,000 students, nearly half of whom identify as people of color—the series takes us inside classrooms, administrative meetings, and even school board discussions to consider how race and resources play a role in students’ and educators’ ability to succeed. These issues emerge from a variety of remarkably personal stories—a wrestler aiming to lose weight so he can start on the varsity team, a freshman excited to attend his first school dance, or a teacher struggling to break through to a promising student. Observational footage and in-depth interviews highlight moments of connection and friction, achievements and missteps, revealing the ways that bias manifests across the institution. By turns affirming and distressing, America to Me is immense in both scale and heart. This program features the first two one-hour episodes of the series.  ST

Q&A following screening