A bevy of African-American politicians, community activists, musicians and prominent business leaders are coming together to support the Beyond the Bricks documentary and community engagement tour.

The Beyond The Bricks campaign is designed as a three-fold project with the 10-city community engagement tour beginning on September 18th to the Top 10 cities with the worst education statistics.

Starting with the Beyond the Bricks 30 minute short-form documentary, the movie focuses on 2 teenagers from Newark, New Jersey, and documents their struggle to make it through the New Jersey education system.

In addition to feature commentary from Reverend Al Sharpton and Mayor Cory Booker, participants who will do a PSA for Beyond the Bricks, include Sway of MTV, Fred Mwangaguhunga (CEO of MediaTakeOut), Consequence (G.O.O.D. Music), Lyfe Jennings, Bilal, Dead Prez, Damien Escobar of Nuttin But Stringz and Michael K. Williams  of The Wire.

There will be a full length PSA each week by each artist and will be released with a special mini-interview on Vimeo, where they will discuss educational experiences and the effect that an important person in community had on their life growing up.

With statistics such as the fact that only 28% of black males graduate from high school nationally, organizers feel the Beyond the Bricks DVD screening and panel discussion presents a platform for educators, community leaders, policymakers, parents and students to promote positive communication, and create solutions-based action items.  

Below is more information on the PSA’s and Tour.