While fueling the Black community’s intellect, John H. Johnson, founder of EBONY and JET, taught a valuable lesson in Black ownership and creating spaces for our people to thrive and did so while operating business and owning every square foot in an 11-story building in Downtown Chicago.

Similar to that sentiment, in the 1970s and in the heart of North Carolina’s Klan country, a group of civil rights activist attempted to build a “multiracial utopia” called Soul City. The group’s journey is captured in an upcoming short film, titled after the utopia they hoped to create.

Through archival material, interviews with former and current Soul City residents, animation and soulful rhythms of the era, founder Floyd B. McKissick and his group of idealists detail how, despite the odds and racial tensions stacked against them, they risked everything to build the city of their dreams.

Watch a clip tease of Soul City below.

Reel South Exclusive Clip: Soul City from Southern Documentary Fund on Vimeo.

Soul City comes as part of Reel South’s documentary series which highlights the rich tradition of Southern storytelling, and celebration of diverse voices and perspectives. Reel South heads into its second season with award-winning country artist and Charleston, South Carolina-native Darius Rucker as its host.

Tune-in weekly to the WORLD Channel on Sunday nights from January 8 through March 5, 2017, at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT. Catch Soul City, January 8 and on reelsouth.org, January 9.

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