This clip introduces the three primary storytellers in Raising Bertie. Reginald (Junior), Davonte (Dada) and David (Bud) introduce themselves and their lives in Bertie County, North Carolina.

In this clip we listen to Dada, Junior and Cheryl, Junior’s mother, share their perspectives on the economic reality of life in their Bertie County and witness their strength and resilience to continue to build a better life for themselves.

This clip offers students the opportunity to meet Vivian Saunders, the founder of The Hive—the alternative school where Jr, Bud, and Dada attend—and get a more complicated understanding of the opportunities and challenges each face coming of age in rural North Carolina.

Raising Bertie is an intimate portrait of three African American boys as they face a precarious coming of age in rural Bertie County, North Carolina. Like many rural areas, Bertie County struggles with a dwindling economy, a declining population, and a high school graduation rate below the state average.

Raising Bertie filmmaker Margaret Byrne talks about Vivian Saunders, executive director of The Hive in Bertie County, North Carolina.

Raising Bertie filmmaker Margaret Byrne discusses and reflects on her role as a white filmmaker – and an outsider – documenting the lives of three young African American boys in Bertie County, North Carolina.

In this clip we meet Abby Abinanti and Claudette White, the Chief Judges for their respective tribes. They work to heal and restore their communities as well as fight for sovereignty and independence.

Judge Abby Abinanti explains that tribes need to create their own models for justice and healing because state court methods are ineffective in a tribal setting. We meet Taos Proctor, who in sharing his experience with drug use, shows that cultural understanding and shared community are essential to rehabilitation.

In this clip we see scenes from Taos’ rehabilitation as he spends time with his son and works on building a house. We also hear about his past from the perspectives of his uncle and girlfriend. Abby and the court remain supportive.

Taos continues to work on building a house for girlfriend and son. He checks back in with Abby who pushes him to pursue attaining a GED.

Taos explains to the court his history of drug use and his current efforts at rehabilitation. Judge Abby Abinanti offers the court’s support.

Filmmaker Anne Makepeace explains the difference between tribal and state court systems.

In Tribal Justice, two Native American judges reach back to traditional concepts of justice in order to reduce incarceration rates, foster greater safety for their communities, and create a more positive future for their youth. By addressing the root causes of crime, they are modeling restorative systems that are working. Mainstream courts across the country are taking notice.

"Everybody that I’ve asked, nobody remembers his last name."

"Get that crucifix off of him. It's killing him."

Filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo explains the premise of her film, Memories of a Penitent Heart

Filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo discusses the exploration of forgiveness in her film, Memories of a Penitent Heart.

"Michael and I had a relationship from '75 till '87."

Filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo discusses the role of Puerto Rico in her film, Memories of a Penitent Heart.

Filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo suspected that there was something ugly in her family's past. Memories of a Penitent Heart excavates a buried conflict around her uncle Miguel's death at a time when having AIDS was synonymous with sin. As she searches for Miguel's partner decades later, the film – both a love story and a tribute – is a cautionary tale of how faith is used and abused in times of crisis.