The 2025 March On! Festival has come to a close—and what a remarkable week it was. As journalist, anchor, and author Janet Langhart Cohen reflected, “Being with the March On! family was like being ‘home’…and I’ve sure missed ‘home.’”
This year we lifted up untold stories of the civil rights movement while spotlighting March On! Health: The Right to Be Well. Across more than 20 programs in Washington, DC and online, films, conversations, art, and performances reminded us that the march for justice is also a celebration of community, resilience, and the right to be well.
Missed a session? Don’t worry—many programs will be rebroadcast in the months ahead.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
2025 March On!™ Annual Awards Gala
The sold-out Annual Awards Gala, where Congressman Maxwell Frost, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Jonathan Capehart joined us to honor Senator Cory Booker, Stanley Nelson, Marcia Smith, and Firelight Media.
Joy Reid in Conversation with Eric Holder – Vivian Malone Courage Award
The Vivian Malone Courage Award is presented only once every two years, making this year’s ceremony at the historic Metropolitan AME Church a truly momentous occasion. Rev. Lamar opened the evening with powerful remarks, setting the tone for a night of history, honor, and inspiration.
This year, the award was presented to Joy Reid, who received a commissioned painting of Vivian Malone’s courageous act of integrating the University of Alabama on June 11, 1963. In conversation with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Joy reflected on her journey as a first-generation American, her path through Harvard, and her groundbreaking role as the first Black woman to anchor a primetime cable news show.
Joy honored Vivian Malone’s daughter, Dr. Monica Jones-Shareef, who was present in the audience, and emphasized the importance of creating positive change, no matter how small. Joy also took time to engage with the next generation of students, encouraging them to follow in her footsteps and continue advancing the movement.
The evening also featured remarks from Dr. Sharon Malone and Southern Poverty Law Center’s Jalaya Liles Dunn, as well as a moving performance by Lisa Arrindell as Ida B. Wells Barnett, bringing the legacy of courage and justice vividly to life.
The Nap Ministry Presented: Napping as Resistance – Rest as a Tool for Collective Liberation
Also held in partnership with Metropolitan AME Church, this restorative program, led by founder Tricia Hersey and sound artist Arin Maya, gave us all a chance to slow down and catch our breath. Together, they reminded us that rest itself can be a radical act of freedom and a pathway to collective liberation.
Dark Tower Day Party: A Harlem Renaissance Experience
The festival closed with the unforgettable Dark Tower Day Party, reviving the Harlem Renaissance spirit through artistry, dialogue, and celebration. Aerialist Chi Akano soared above the crowd in two breathtaking performances, embodying resilience and imagination. Dr. Msia Kibona Clark delivered a poetic journey through the history of Black music, tracing its path from African rhythms to hip hop. A’Lelia Bundles offered intimate insights about her legendary namesake, while Isisara Bey, March On!’s artistic visionary, wove the elements together into a living tribute to Black creativity. With music from DJ R WE ON THE AIR?!, a curated book activation by Mahogany Books and tantalizing food and drinks, the event brought the brilliance and audacity of the Harlem Renaissance into the present day.
FILM SCREENINGS & COMPETITION
We Want the Funk with Stanley Nelson — Film Screening & Conversation
The screening of We Want the Funk brought the house to life, immersing the audience in the music and movement that defined an era. Afterward, filmmaker Stanley Nelson joined a spirited conversation, moderated by Michon Boston, exploring the roots of funk in Black culture and its role as both a form of resistance and a source of joy. Many attendees carried that energy with them, dancing their way from the theater into the Gala celebration.
Critical Condition: Health in Black America
Thanks to PBS/NOVA, our audience joined us for this eye-opening screening and dialogue, featuring clips from Stanley Nelson’s powerful documentary Critical Condition: Health in Black America. Dr. Joseph Wright, Dr. Vanessa Northington Gamble, Cyndee Readdean, and moderator Michon Boston unpacked the systemic roots of health disparities and the pseudoscientific myths that still shape care today.
This session sparked urgent conversation about how history, policy, and discrimination continue to drive poor health outcomes for Black communities — and how we can chart a path forward.
Albany Road and Truth & Relationships Town Hall
Directed by Christine Swanson and starring Lisa Arrindell, Albany Road set the stage for an honest and revealing community conversation. Following the screening, Swanson, Arrindell, Dr. Henry Gregory, and Dr. Sonja Richmond led a town hall discussion on the power and pitfalls of sharing our lives and truths with those closest to us. Presented through support from The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition powered by AHF.
Student & Emerging Filmmaker Competition
Hosted by Opal Hope Bennett, this year’s competition showcased bold new voices telling stories of justice, resilience, and identity. From nearly 100 submissions, four winners were selected, each demonstrating extraordinary talent and vision:
- Student Narrative Winner: I Gaze at the Sky by Alexandra Strunin
- Student Documentary Winner: SK8 LITE by Nmesomachii Nwokolo
- Emerging Narrative Winner: Jean & I by Mirta Desir
- Emerging Documentary Winner: Teaching America by Anurima Bhargava
THE WELL SERIES
Talking Hands: Intro to American Sign Language (ASL)
Led by JaRon Gilchrist, this workshop introduced participants to the fundamentals of ASL while also exploring the history and cultural significance of Black ASL. The session blended hands-on learning with a powerful history lesson, leaving attendees more equipped to understand and engage with the Deaf community.
Disability, Health, and Justice: Expanding Access for All
Panelists Dara Baldwin, Dr. Jamila Perritt, and Chakir’ C. Underdown shared personal stories and professional expertise, underscoring that disabilities are not always visible and that inequities in healthcare and policy persist. The conversation highlighted the pressing need for inclusive legislation, equal protection, and a deeper understanding of disability justice.
Grown Folk Talk: Grand Rounds on Women’s and Men’s Health
Moderated by Linda Goler Blount, this session brought together Dr. Georges Benjamin, Dr. Stephen Thomas, Dr. Sharon Malone, and Dr. Tamara Wilds Lawson. Together, they tackled issues from reproductive health to chronic disease, stressing the disproportionate burdens faced by Black communities and the critical importance of access to equitable, comprehensive care.
BRINGING THE FESTIVAL TO THE WORLD
The Road Ahead: March On! Health—The Right to Be Well
This virtual session opened with a powerful poem by Terraya Lewis, followed by a dynamic discussion with Dr. Aletha Maybank, Dr. Uché Blackstock, and Dr. Joel Bervell. The panel explored how systemic inequities shape health, and underscored the power of social media, film, and personal advocacy to shift narratives, dismantle stereotypes, and advance the right to be well.
Virtual Film Festival
March On! reached global audiences through expansive virtual programming that included more than 25 powerful films—such as Crip Camp, Birthing Justice, The Man Who Mends Women, I Didn’t See You There, Igualada, and Power to Health—alongside livestreamed mainstage sessions and conversations with leading voices.
Spotlight on Youth
While the public festival was in full swing, March On! also worked behind the scenes to create intentional opportunities for students.
Students were invited to a special reception with Eric Holder and Joy Reid ahead of the Vivian Malone Awards, where they engaged in an inspiring conversation about courage and legacy. Thanks to a partnership with the Canady Foundation for the Arts, we are pleased to share a brief video of the exchange between Eric Holder and the students. After the reception, students received complimentary tickets to stay for the Vivian Malone Awards program—giving them the chance to experience the evening’s powerful tribute firsthand.
On Friday, at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA), students took part in a half-day of workshops with festival artists, exploring film, acting, and movement as tools for storytelling and social change.
These moments reflect March On’s! deep commitment to empowering the next generation to carry the legacy forward with their own voices, visions, and creativity.
The week of the Festival was extraordinary—together we lifted up powerful stories, built community, and celebrated art, culture, and justice. Yet while the inspiration lives on, the work is not yet finished. We still need to raise $38,322 to cover this year’s programming. Your gift today will not only help close the gap—it will ensure that March On! can continue to keep our events accessible, our stories alive, and our community strong throughout the year.
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