In partnership with FotoFocus, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is pleased to welcome Academy, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams for the latest speaker in its Lecture and Visiting Artist Series.

Williams explores the personal and political with intention, offering an intimate examination of some of the most paramount social issues of our time. The decorated documentarian became the first African American director to win an Academy Award with his short film Music by Prudence in 2009. In the years since, Williams has ascended, collecting more accolades and co-founding the production company One Story Up. In 2023, he premiered Emmy Award-winning The 1619 Project for Hulu, as well as his scripted feature Cassandro, which stars Gael Garcia Bernal and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

The event is free and open to the public.