Jamese Wells

Jamese will create a documentary video, We Are Women, We Play Drums that details the history, contribution, and significance of Voices of Africa, a Philadelphia-based, all-women a cappella and percussion ensemble whose music spans the African Diaspora. The film will explore the significance of women drummers and share the story of the group's founder, Nana Bakaan. Using archival footage, interviews with past and current members, along with film of the group's live performances, this documentary will give audiences insight into their struggle for recognition as women drummers in a male-dominated field, and share the power of this group whose art seeks to transform audiences.

Jamese will travel along with others from PRP to Tanzania, there she will document Africans from the Diaspora working with folks from all across Africa to build a 300-watt community radio station at the United African Alliance Community Center. This experience will allow her to interview a multi-generational group of artists and activists for a short documentary exploring the potential for global Africans to reconnect and create change within themselves, their communities, and the world. This film will also document this coming together of people from across the Diaspora to build something tangible and in the process also strengthen the spirit of resistance.