A new film exploring the Black experience in Grand Rapids shows that the city is more than it appears on the surface. A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan uncovers hidden layers of history, revealing a community that fought for justice, culture, and opportunity in the face of systemic racism. A sneak preview on February 20, 2026 at Wealthy Theatre will give audiences an early look, while the filmmakers continue seeking donors to complete the project.
After eight years of research, organizing, filming, editing, and community engagement, the Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GRMiFi), together with Grand Stand Pictures and local partners, will host the sneak preview. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the preview begins at 7 p.m.
“This film is nearly 9 years in the making,” said Rodney Brown, President of GRMiFi and Producer of the ACWAC Film. “It exists because of our deep personal commitment as Black people born and raised in Grand Rapids that love our community. We felt a responsibility to document our history with accuracy, dignity, and power. This is narrative justice. This is community memory work. And this is about ensuring that the next generation understands the shoulders they stand on.”
Veteran filmmaker Marvin Towns, who resides in the Detroit area, directs the project. Towns brings decades of experience in feature films, television, and award-winning short films, ensuring the documentary is executed with professional expertise while honoring the community’s voice.
Brown emphasized that the film also exists because of visionary philanthropic leadership in West Michigan. “We are deeply grateful for the local philanthropic community leaders who believed in the importance of documenting Black history and lifting up institutional memories in Grand Rapids,” Brown said. “Their investments signaled that this story matters—not just to Black residents, but to the integrity of the entire city.”
Philanthropic supporters of the ACWAC Film include Steelcase Foundation, Robert Pew Foundation, Kate Pew Wolters Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Frey Foundation. Other supporters for GRMiFi and its associated initiatives connected to the ACWAC Film include Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supporting place-based education programs and Black Unity-GR through the Black Legacy Fund, and Wege Foundation, supporting GRMiFi Culture Clubs and Grand Rapids Black Renaissance.
“All of these investments from our community is making this all possible,” Brown added. “This is what happens when a city chooses to invest in truth and opportunity.”
The sneak preview will present segments of the rough cut and invite audience feedback through live surveys and discussion. The production team is currently completing post-production, including final editing, music scoring, and visual effects. Once finished, the film will be submitted to national and international festivals, followed by a local and national premiere. The anticipated release window is late third quarter to early-to-mid fourth quarter 2026.
To complete post-production and position the film for festivals, marketing, and screenings, GRMiFi is raising its final funding goal. “We are in the final stretch,” Brown stated. “Raising the remaining funds will allow us to finish with excellence and ensure this film travels far beyond Grand Rapids. This story deserves national visibility.”
Community members and supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets to the sneak preview and, if able, contribute to the final fundraising campaign. Donations can be made via the organization’s Zeffy fundraising page to support completion of the ACWAC Film and expansion of GRMiFi’s incubator efforts and community storytelling initiatives.
“This film is more than a documentary,” Brown concluded. “It is a declaration that Black history in Grand Rapids is not marginal—it is foundational. This film helps build a platform for more beautiful, dynamic, diverse and compelling stories that can be told from Grand Rapids.”
The sneak preview will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Wealthy Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the film begins at 7 p.m.
