SYNOPSIS

During the land boom of the 1920's, visionary and developer George Merrick launched his dream of creating America's first fully planned community, Coral Gables. The exclusive Florida location, today known as the “Miami Riviera,” features homes that grace over forty miles of waterfront. 

'Graceful Voices' shares the life experiences of Bahamian and African American women who remind us that behind the grand gates of Coral Gables are families whose skill and craftsmanship helped build this exclusive neighborhood. While sections of this community are in the National Register of Historic Places, the architecture is only a chapter in the narrative of this amazing group of individuals. 

Powerful, sentimental and pure, their story sheds a light on the history that is still being built. Many of these women were born in the homes they live in today and are determined to keep these homes in their family for generations to come. Knowing that their determined voices would make a difference, these resilient women stuck together and forced change. They fought segregation and injustice. And they did so gracefully!

SYNOPSIS

During the land boom of the 1920's, visionary and developer George Merrick launched his dream of creating America's first fully planned community, Coral Gables. The exclusive Florida location, today known as the “Miami Riviera,” features homes that grace over forty miles of waterfront. 

'Graceful Voices' shares the life experiences of Bahamian and African American women who remind us that behind the grand gates of Coral Gables are families whose skill and craftsmanship helped build this exclusive neighborhood. While sections of this community are in the National Register of Historic Places, the architecture is only a chapter in the narrative of this amazing group of individuals. 

Powerful, sentimental and pure, their story sheds a light on the history that is still being built. Many of these women were born in the homes they live in today and are determined to keep these homes in their family for generations to come. Knowing that their determined voices would make a difference, these resilient women stuck together and forced change. They fought segregation and injustice. And they did so gracefully!

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

As a filmmaker, I seek to tell meaningful stories that touch the soul. What struck me most from meeting these women and hearing their stories was their undaunting belief in the power of a positive voice. I’m amazed at how each of their life’s journeys are filled with passion for community and the belief in the value of maintaining the family home.

To tell their story, and I say “their” with great meaning, I placed myself in true documentary mode. Starting the creative process with no preconceived thoughts or agenda and not looking for that negative hook or spin, I listened and soon realized that many great lessons of moving forward and achieving change can happen with grace and strong conviction. 

My first creative meeting was held in the living room of Leona Baker's home. Leona, Edwina Prime and Judy Davis, all from the Bahamas, were generous enough to share their colorful memories with a few glasses of iced tea and great conversation. While most of my life has been spent in large cities, talking to these determined women made me feel like I was back home in my small little town from Kentucky sitting in my grandmother's living room. 

While filming, each of these women's voices spoke of their past with a powerful positive voice despite the struggles they faced. As mentioned by one of our dear ladies, being black in America is not the same as being black in other parts of the world. In the US, often times the color of their skin made them felt like a "second class citizen," a very unfamiliar feeling since in her country she was not treated differently. Through their stories of perseverance, I learned that what truly makes a community unite in times of great turmoil are traditions and strong beliefs. 

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

As a filmmaker, I seek to tell meaningful stories that touch the soul. What struck me most from meeting these women and hearing their stories was their undaunting belief in the power of a positive voice. I’m amazed at how each of their life’s journeys are filled with passion for community and the belief in the value of maintaining the family home.

To tell their story, and I say “their” with great meaning, I placed myself in true documentary mode. Starting the creative process with no preconceived thoughts or agenda and not looking for that negative hook or spin, I listened and soon realized that many great lessons of moving forward and achieving change can happen with grace and strong conviction. 

My first creative meeting was held in the living room of Leona Baker's home. Leona, Edwina Prime and Judy Davis, all from the Bahamas, were generous enough to share their colorful memories with a few glasses of iced tea and great conversation. While most of my life has been spent in large cities, talking to these determined women made me feel like I was back home in my small little town from Kentucky sitting in my grandmother's living room. 

While filming, each of these women's voices spoke of their past with a powerful positive voice despite the struggles they faced. As mentioned by one of our dear ladies, being black in America is not the same as being black in other parts of the world. In the US, often times the color of their skin made them felt like a "second class citizen," a very unfamiliar feeling since in her country she was not treated differently. Through their stories of perseverance, I learned that what truly makes a community unite in times of great turmoil are traditions and strong beliefs.