By Todd H. Simmons
“Our Blues Make Us Gold,” a multi-part documentary focused on North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University from filmmakers Ashley Shantè and Brandon Gerard, is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the Black Experience on Xfinity that will allow for enhancement and completion of the project, officials announced today.
In development since 2019, “Our Blues Make Us Gold” takes viewers on a journey through the history of N.C. A&T, America’s largest historically Black university, drawing from the experiences of alumni and students. As the project developed, in-progress versions were shown at campus screenings in 2021 and 2022, as well as this year on Maryland Public Television.
Ashley and Brandon, who are husband and wife as well as creative partners, have a combined 20 years of professional experience in film production. Their production company, A2B Entertainment, is known for blending intimate, emotion-based storytelling with a modern, innovative aesthetic. They work out of Los Angeles and the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina.
Once complete, “Our Blues Make Us Gold” will be considered for screening on The Black Experience on Xfinity.
The Black Experience on Xfinity is a cable and streaming channel from Comcast/NBC Universal that features high-quality content and serves as “a one-stop destination for Black storytelling.” The platform invests “millions of dollars in showcasing emerging talent from the top Black film festivals.” Its content is curated by industry leaders and is the only service of its kind endorsed by the African American Film Critics Association, the world’s largest group of Black film critics.
The Black Experience is available to home viewers on Xfinity X1 and Flex and on the go with the Xfinity Stream app. It can also be accessed by saying “Black Experience” into the Xfinity voice remote.
