During this course, students engage in innovative experiential learning with unprecedented leadership opportunities as Black Louisville storytellers and leaders in the film industry centered in the Black cultural perspective as social justice change agents to create an original, student-led production. The anticipated first episode and pilot of the Docuseries uproots the untold historical connection between Simmons College of Kentucky and the first 11 Black jockeys who raced in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

“Raising Simmons” will premiere at the 5th Annual

“Race to Greatness: A Celebration of the Black Jockeys of the Kentucky Derby”

April 23, 2023 ·6-9:00 p.m. · The Kentucky Derby Museum

For tickets and more information, contact Vpurdy@simmonscollegeky.edu.

For more information, please contact Dr. Tytianna Ringstaff

Director of Digital Learning and Innovation

Professor/Artistic Director of the Black Film Institute

at Simmons College of Kentucky via tringstaf@simmonscollegeky.edu

Now Accepting Applications into the Film Institute! Click HERE to register

Beginning in Fall 2023, the Film Institute of Simmons College of Kentucky will offer a 6-Week Immersive Experience in

Black Film Studies. This 7-credit hour experiential learning program is open to college-age emerging creatives

seeking a career in the film industry. Below are the course offerings during the Fall and Spring semesters:

FRE 100 Course: History of Simmons University Seminar (1 credit hour) 

BFS 101 Course: Introduction to Black Film and Media Studies (3 credit hours) 

BFI 201 Course: Advanced Black Film and Media Studies (3 credit hours)