WXXI and Move to Include are proud to host a special American Masters screening of Renegades, a new digital series that showcases the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. The screening will feature Extended Audio Description and large open captioning. ASL interpretation will be provided for the introduction and the moderated panel discussion.
The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.
Join us Monday, December 9th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Little Theatre for a special American Masters screening of the following Renegade episodes – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (1924-2012), the country’s highest-ranking Asian American political figure for nearly 50 years; Judith Lynn Del Ray (1943-1986), a science fiction and fantasy editor, who published books from sci-fi luminaries such as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and George Lucas’ “Star Wars” in novel form; and Brad Lomax (1950-1984), a key participant in the historic 504 sit-in of 1977.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion led by Markus Essien, who directed and produced the Brad Lomax episode. Panelists include Kiki Smith, a local Blind activist; and Edward Ashton, author.
MORE ABOUT OUR MODERATOR:
Markus Essien is the Photography & Digital Arts Program Coordinator at Flower City Arts. He is also a filmmaker and musician originally from Washington, DC. He received his BA in Classics from Howard University and an Ed.M. from Harvard. Markus is dedicated to championing the arts, advancing education, and celebrating underdogs. He served as Director and Producer on the Renegades: Brad Lomax episode.
MORE ABOUT OUR PANELISTS:
Kiki Smith is a local Blind activist, who serves as Outreach and Fundraising Coordinator for the South East Area Coalition (SEAC). At SEAC she develops partnerships that advance inclusive thinking and promote a sense of belonging. With roots in education and community building, her vision transcends the challenges of vision loss to shed light on the simplicity and necessity of developing systems, programs, spaces, and technology that invite all and insure accessibility. Her daily lived experience as a multi-disabled woman fuels her commitment to ensuring equitable resources an opportunity in the workplace and for the community she serves.
An organic change-maker, Kiki volunteers with several community organizations, including Upstate New York Blind Recreation (formerly Rochester Area Blind Athletes), RBTL’s audio-description program, the National Beep Baseball Association, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Genesee Valley, and Goodwill Vision Enterprises. She has served on the boards of Challenger Miracle Field, the Women’s Care Center, and the Seton Foundation.
Edward Ashton is the author of seven novels, including MICKEY7 (now a motion picture directed by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson). His newest book, THE FOURTH CONSORT, is forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press in February, 2025. His short fiction has appeared in venues ranging from the newsletter of an Italian sausage company to Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fireside Fiction, and Escape Pod. In his free time, he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and boiling maple sap into syrup. You can find him online at edwardashton.com.
