Using exclusive interviews with former Black Panther Party members along with archival footage, “41st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers” delivers what Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry called “a thought-provoking look at the events that shaped our community.” The film follows the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense from its Black Power beginnings through to its controversial end. The film explores the Black Panther ethos, its conflict with the L.A.P.D., and the events that shaped the complicated and often contradictory legacy of the L.A. chapter. Firsthand accounts of the Party’s formation are told by original surviving members and eyewitnesses, including Black Panther party leaders Geronimo Ji Jagga, Elaine Brown and Kathleen Cleaver, along with Los Angeles City Councilmember and former L.A.P.D. Police Chief Bernard Parks. Co-Produced by Black Panther Roland Freeman, 41st and Central won the audience award at the 2010 Pan African Film festival, and was an official selection in the National Black Arts Festival, Vermont International Film Festival, and the African DiasporaInternational Film Festival.
Gregory Everett
Executive Producer, Writer, Director
Born and raised in Los Angeles, and the son of Black Panther Jeffrey Everett, Gregory Everett directed his first film at the age of nine. He received professional training in drama, film and video at the Ebony Showcase Theatre before attending film school at Los Angeles City College. Involved in the evolution of West Coast hip hop culture, he launched a dance promotions company and has worked as an assistant editor, freelance producer and assistant director on music videos. In 1998, he was a producer of the documentary “Eazy Duz It” about the late rapper Eazy E for B.E.T. Along with two partners, he has a Los Angeles film and television production company called Ultra Wave Vision, most known for producing the hit reality series for TVOne– KCi & joJo: Come Clean. Gregory and his wife Lorean live in Baldwin Hills and have two sons.
Everett's documentary will be part of the day long programming for the 6th Annual Archives Bazaar on Saturday, October 22 at USC's Doheny Library.