The inspiring story of Shaw University, the first historically black college in the South, is told in “Shaw Rising.” Founded in North Carolina in 1865 by Dr. Henry Martin Tupper who served as a chaplain in the Union Army during the Civil War, the school has a tumultuous story.
Durham, NC studio responsible for the film, Horizon Productions, has received the prestigious Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the documentary. The announcement came at the 35th annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award ceremony on February 27.
“Shaw Rising” tells Shaw’s story from the beginning. The HBCU has faced many challenges including Jim Crow restrictions and the fight for Civil Rights.
Despite the array of setbacks, Shaw University boasts many firsts, such as being the first college in the nation to offer a four-year medical program and the first HBCU to open its doors to women.
Horizon’s Chief Production Officer Tim Finkbiner, in partnership with Hal Goodtree of Goodtree Studio worked together on the documentary. Finkbiner and Horizon also won the Emmy in 2011 for their documentary film, “Birth of a Colony,” which was about the early history of North Carolina. “Shaw Rising” was partially funded by by the AJ Fletcher Foundation and also had other supporters.
